If the rest of the court agrees with Newdow now, it could declare that the phrase "under God" breaches the figurative wall separating church and state.

如果法庭同意纽道的观点，那么他要宣布“以上帝的名义”这一措词违反了政教分离的原则。

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"If he chooses to ask for God's help, I'm not going to challenge him, " Newdow said.

CNN: Obama wants to invoke God during inauguration oath

Michael Newdow, supported by several groups including the American Humanist Association, claims in his lawsuit that "so help me God" violates the constitutional ban on government "endorsement" of religion.

CNN: Obama wants to invoke God during inauguration oath

The declaration was apparently aimed at blunting Newdow's concession that Obama could add the phrase on his own but that Roberts or any government official should not force or prompt him to say it.

CNN: Obama wants to invoke God during inauguration oath