09:59 AM EDT on Thursday, June 24, 2004

By MARK BOONE / 6NEWS

A courtroom controversy is raging because one judge wants to stop using a traditional phrase which contains the word God during proceedings. But that's not all. The battle could end with a sheriff held in contempt of court.

District Court Judge James Honeycutt said religion does not belong in the court and he wants courtroom bailiffs to change the way they open court for the day. The nearly 300-year-old traditional phrase concludes with the words, “God save the state and this honorable court.”

Pastor Jeff Porter of Statesville’s First Baptist Church and his congregation cannot understand why a judge wants to change a tradition which dates back to 1715.

“The foundation of our country rests on the belief in God and the faith that we have in that and we should all stand by that at all costs,” Porter said.

But Honeycutt also wants to change the courtroom oath. Witnesses conclude the oath with the words, “So help me God.”

Iredell's sheriff says his bailiffs don't plan to change anything. In a meeting with the judge Wednesday, Sheriff Phil Redmond said he was told he could be held in contempt of court unless bailiffs drop God from the courtroom. At least one Statesville church plans to stand behind the sheriff and send a message to the judge.

“We wish he'd reconsider,” said Lowery.

When 6NEWS tried to contact Honeycutt we were turned away by security officers who said the judge isn’t talking.

Redmond said he will be paying a visit to the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission who will be asked to investigate. If they find the judge did something wrong, they could remove him from the bench.

Honeycutt was originally elected to the bench in 1990. His current term expires in 2006. The chief judge in the district plans on retiring this year and Honeycutt is considered a candidate for this job.