An old dollar note is pictured in Bammental, Germany, 19 April 2011. The rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) have questioned the future creditworthiness of the USA. They said that their evaluation of the financial strength would remain best note 'AAA', but they lowered their expectations for a long-term evaluation from 'stable' to 'negative'. Among the reasons named were the high budgetary deficits and a not very clear plan to minimise the raising national debt. Photo: Marius Becker (Marius Becker/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
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."
Michael Newdow in 2004. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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