‘In God We Trust’ Motto Upheld in Novel Challenge

The federal appeals court decision upholding the inscription of “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency May 29 shows how courts will go to great lengths to protect the motto, scholars told Bloomberg Law.

The motto doesn’t violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act because it doesn’t place a substantial burden on those who would rather not use coins or bills due to their objection to the phrase, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said in a decision by Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch and joined by Judge Alan E. Norris.

Courts have “twisted themselves into pretzels” to uphold ...