ATHEISTS UNITED ANTICIPATES FAVORABLE RULING IN PENDING 9th CIRCUIT COURT DECISION ON "IN GOD WE TRUST" AND "UNDER GOD"

The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to release a ruling in the next several days on the case brought by Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow on the constitutionality of the religious phrases "In God We Trust" and "Under God" in mandated exercises of civic expression.

Atheists United has been watching this case with interest. The atheist community has always believed that these phrases not only represented intentional shows of contempt and disrespect to our community, but that the use of these phrases by our government were designed to create a religious apartheid in our society that rendered atheists voiceless and invisible in our society and government.

"These phrases represent outdated and government-sanctioned bigotry. They are no more appropriate or patriotic today than the government-sanctioned signs of 60 years ago that said 'Whites Only'," said Stuart Bechman, president of Atheists United. "As US citizens, we expect a government that represents all of the people and protects all minorities – even those without any religious beliefs - from discrimination and exclusion in our society and government."

"We look forward to the 9th Circuit Court's ruling on this matter."

For more information, contact Stuart Bechman, (805) 405-3929.