ICC NOTE: Sacramento attorney Michael Newdow filed a lawsuit in Akron, Ohio over arguing the phrase “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency is unconstitutional, and calls for its immediate removal. Newdow had previously attempted two similar lawsuits but both were unsuccessful challenges to the the removal of our national motto. The attorney and 41 other plaintiffs claim the motto violates the separation of church and state and forces them to carry a religious statement on their persons at all times which violates their Atheistic lifestyle. In God We Trust has been unofficially on our coins since 1864 and was officially made out national motto and placed on paper currency in the late 1950’s. 

1/15/2016 United States (Fox News) –  A new lawsuit filed on behalf of several Atheist plaintiffs argues the phrase “In God We Trust” on U.S. money is unconstitutional, and calls for the government to get rid of it.

Sacramento attorney Michael Newdow filed the lawsuit Monday in Akron, Ohio. He’d unsuccessfully sued the government at least twice challenging the use of the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Throughout much of his lawsuit, the word appears as “G-d.”

Newdow claims “In God We Trust” violates the separation of church and state. One plaintiff says his Atheism is “substantially burdened because he is forced to bear on his person a religious statement that causes him to sense his government legitimizing, promoting and reinforcing negative and injurious attitudes not only against Atheists in general, but against him personally.”

The lawsuit represents 41 plaintiffs from Ohio and Michigan, including many unnamed parents and children who are atheists or are being raised as atheists. Defendants include Congress, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and various federal agencies.

A message seeking comment was left Wednesday at the office of U.S. attorney for Ohio’s northern district.

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