Sanja Zgonjanin highlights that sectarian practices and expressions are accepted and even sanctioned by courts citing context or tradition. These practices include opening the Supreme Court session with “God save the United States and this honorable Court,” opening a legislative session with a prayer, recognizing the nation in the Pledge of Allegiance as “one Nation under God,” and not only printing “In God We Trust” on our money but posting the motto in court rooms, congressional chambers, and other places of government business.

The pervasive nature of religious identity in our society makes it hard to completely enforce a prohibition on religion even within our courtrooms. However, more weight should be placed on rational decision making when it comes to sentencing a defendant rather than concern over facilitating God’s vengeance.