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WASHINGTON — A federal judge Thursday refused to order the words “so help me God” taken out of President-elect Barack Obama’s oath of office next week.
U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton turned down a request from a group of atheists and agnostics to force Chief Justice John Roberts not to add those words to the 35-word inaugural oath outlined in the Constitution.
The group, led by California atheist Michael Newdow, also wanted to prohibit Obama’s chosen inaugural ministers, the Revs. Joseph Lowery and Rick Warren, from offering prayers at Tuesday’s inauguration.
