Liberty Institute Defends Texas County Commissioners Court's Right to Pray and Display "In God We Trust"

PLANO, Texas, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Liberty Institute asked a Texas district court judge to dismiss a lawsuit against the Wood County Texas Commissioners Court for praying before its public meetings and displaying in the court America's national motto "In God We Trust." Wood County resident Charles F. Scott alleges the County Commissioners court is in violation of the U.S and Texas constitutions.

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(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/DC12743LOGO-b)

"Higher courts have already determined that legislative prayers and our nation's national motto are constitutional," said Jeff Mateer, General Counsel of Liberty Institute.  "Our nation has a longstanding tradition of opening governmental meetings with prayer as well as publicly acknowledging the role of God in our governmental institutions.   Such traditions and acknowledgments do not violate the First Amendment."

Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our Founding Fathers. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.

SOURCE Liberty Institute