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ACLJ: Supreme Court's Rejection of Inaugural Prayer Challenge Sends Important Message Regarding Traditions

May 23, 2011

2 min read

ACLJ

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January 19, 2005

(Washington, DC) The American Center for Law and Justice, focusing on constitutional law, said today the Supreme Courts rejection of Michael Newdows challenge to bar clergy prayer at tomorrows inauguration sends an important message about the time-honored traditions that are a part of the nations history and heritage. 

The Supreme Court rejected Newdows appeal turning away his request for an injunction to stop the prayer.  The decision was made by Chief Justice William Rehnquist who will administer the oath of office to President Bush tomorrow.  Newdow wanted the Chief Justice to remove himself from consideration of the case because the oath contains the phrase so help me God.

This is an important statement by the Supreme Court in upholding inaugural prayer a time-honored tradition thats been a part of the history and heritage of our nation, said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which has challenged Newdows lawsuits in the past.  There simply is no constitutional conflict by permitting a member of the clergy to offer prayer for the president and the nation at the inaugural ceremony.  Were pleased that this issue has been resolved and look forward to an inaugural ceremony that includes prayer a part of the tapestry of every inauguration since President Washington took his first oath of office in 1789.

The ACLJ has been involved in the case from the beginning with the filing of amicus briefs in the case.  The Supreme Courts action comes after two other courts a federal district court and federal appeals court rejected Newdows legal arguments. 

Newdow continues to challenge the phrase one Nation, under God that is contained in the Pledge of Allegiance.  After the Supreme Court rejected his challenge to the Pledge last year, Newdow has now embarked a new legal campaign filing lawsuits challenging the Pledge once again.  The ACLJ, which filed critical briefs supporting the Pledge in the first challenge, will file briefs in support of the constitutionality of the Pledge in Newdows latest challenge.

The American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.

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