Say Anything Blog

One of our nation's courts actually stood behind the use of the term "God" in courtroom oaths and other procedures.

RALEIGH, N.C. - The state Supreme Court ordered a judge Tuesday to restore references to God in the words used when he enters the courtroom and when witnesses swear to tell the truth.

The high court sided with angry officials from two counties who complained that District Judge James M. Honeycutt had taken it upon himself to change courtroom procedures.

The high court ordered Honeycutt to stop using a revised oath missing the phrase "so help you God," and administer the witness oath as spelled out in state law. The court also ordered the judge to allow bailiffs to begin court sessions with a proclamation that includes "God save the state and this honorable court."

Honeycutt had threatened to hold several bailiffs in contempt of court if they continued to use the phrase, according to a complaint by court officials in Iredell and Davidson counties.

Honeycutt told officials in March he was revising the oath in his courtrooms because of the increasing number of non-Christians and people of diverse beliefs served by the court system.

The Judge may have a point about changing the oath and other procedures to be more sensitive to those who do not believe in "God" in the Jewish-Christian sense, but that doesn't give him the right to take it upon himself to change the law.

If the people of North Carolina want courtroom procedures changed they will take the matter to their lawmakers who will see the law changed.