Washington, Friday 16 January 2009: A US judge has refused to stop US President-elect Barack Obama from using the words “so help me God” when he takes the oath of office Tuesday.

A group of atheists and agnostics had sued in federal court in Washington hoping to prevent Obama from adding those words to the 35-word inaugural oath outlined in the constitution.

The lawsuit also sought to prohibit Obama’s chosen inaugural ministers, the Revs Joseph Lowery and Rick Warren, from offering prayers at inauguration.

US District Judge Reggie Walton refused to issue an order preventing the ministers from praying or Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts from administering the oath.

Obama already has told Roberts he wants to use the words “so help me God” when he takes the oath.
(Agency)