Posted on Aug 12, 2015
Are the words "In God We Trust" inappropriate to use?
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The words "In God We Trust" have been used on our currency since 1864 and was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956. Recently Police departments in several states have opted to put this slogan on their patrol cars, citing the numerous times the statement has been held as constitutional by the courts. Some disagree with it's use and express objections to it being used. In the areas where placing it on Patrol cars has happened it is being discussed as being inappropriate. All around us we see the growing movement to remove any reference to God from government property, in Wauwatosa Wisconsin the "Christian Cross" was replaced on their city seal, the city of Zion, IL has done the same thing, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the removal of the 10 Commandments monument from the state capitol, is this trend going to continue to grow until these words are removed from our monies?
The words "In God We Trust" originated from the song, The Star Spangled Banner, it is there we find the words, "And this be our motto: "In God We Trust"" The words "In God We Trust" provide for me a certain amount of solace and are a source of pride in my Nation and Government. When I sing the Star Spangled Banner have at times been moved to tears thinking about the men who fought and lived to see "those broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming." We live in a imperfect world and no matter what is decided someone will be unhappy. I feel public recognition of God is important, to me it's not about a specific religion, it's about our national heritage.http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/08/03/in-god-we-trust-stickers-on-police-cars-lead-to-dueling-protests-in-florida/
The words "In God We Trust" originated from the song, The Star Spangled Banner, it is there we find the words, "And this be our motto: "In God We Trust"" The words "In God We Trust" provide for me a certain amount of solace and are a source of pride in my Nation and Government. When I sing the Star Spangled Banner have at times been moved to tears thinking about the men who fought and lived to see "those broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming." We live in a imperfect world and no matter what is decided someone will be unhappy. I feel public recognition of God is important, to me it's not about a specific religion, it's about our national heritage.http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/08/03/in-god-we-trust-stickers-on-police-cars-lead-to-dueling-protests-in-florida/
Religion
Constitution
God
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 81
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Yes, the original motto was "E Pluribus Unem", which is, "From many, one", and that is more appropriate and all-inclusive. For the record I believe in God but I am comfortable enough in my faith that I don't feel the need to have the state publicly reaffirm it for me everywhere. The state is the state and it serves state business; the state is not the place of worship, nor should it be.
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CPT Pedro Meza
SSG Cf Grant, I will add that to me, I see that many have taken God name and are using in Vain, which violates a Commandment which to me I ask how can you claim to believe and yet violate His Commandment.
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I think that it's "semi-appropriate". However, having the expression ONLY in English makes it more problematic. If the phrase were in English, Hebrew, and Arabic then it would be much more appropriate because then everyone would know that "God", "Yahweh", and "Allah" were the same thing and stop the idiots thinking that Muslims didn't believe in "God" simply because the Arabic word for "God" is "Allah".
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
Best sensible answer I have read yet. maybe it is the language that affends them..
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MSgt (Join to see)
Interesting response! At first glance I would tend to argue. But I think I need to think about that for a bit. Kinda made sence in a odd way.
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I'm an atheist and I really don't care about it on coins, I don't think it belongs on police cars, our government is suppose to be non bias.. here is the official history for coins. http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx
History of 'In God We Trust'Untitled 1Untitled 1Untitled 1
view auctions. find a form. get tax information at IRS.gov. see interest rate data. switch to electronic benefits. find currency and coin information. report a suspicious email or suspected fraud view budget, performance, and financial reports. have a lost or expired check reissued
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As a nation, we are supposed to ensure that we do not endorse any particular religion. Since there are polytheists, atheists, and others that are citizens of our great country, we should refrain from doing anything that indicates a preference for any particular expression of faith. That includes a tacit approval of monotheism over any other options.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
SPC Joshua Heath - Are you saying I should not make a sign of the cross and say a prayer of Thanksgiving before I eat at a Public place because I might offend somebody? Or the people next to us who bow their heads? Or even wear my cross.
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SPC Joshua Heath
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht -
I encourage you to follow your faith in the way you feel you should. Your actions have no impact upon others, and the same for people bowing their heads. The same for Muslims praying toward Mecca, or atheists choosing not to pray. These things are non-offensive. As TSgt Bailey points out, the issue of using "In God we Trust" is a violation of the Constitution and removing its use has no negative impact upon your right to practice your religion.
I encourage you to follow your faith in the way you feel you should. Your actions have no impact upon others, and the same for people bowing their heads. The same for Muslims praying toward Mecca, or atheists choosing not to pray. These things are non-offensive. As TSgt Bailey points out, the issue of using "In God we Trust" is a violation of the Constitution and removing its use has no negative impact upon your right to practice your religion.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
God is NOT a religion. A religion is Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist etc....but God...is not a religion...
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SPC Joshua Heath
Sgt Kelli Mays -
God capitalized is a proper noun, used as a proper name for the god of the Abrahamic traditions. As such, using the term is tacit approval of the monotheistic/Abrahamic worldview. Faiths and spirituality that allow for a pluralistic expression of the divine are not included in that usage.
God capitalized is a proper noun, used as a proper name for the god of the Abrahamic traditions. As such, using the term is tacit approval of the monotheistic/Abrahamic worldview. Faiths and spirituality that allow for a pluralistic expression of the divine are not included in that usage.
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for the longest time, my answer would have been, "hell, no!"
But I had a friend point out, what if you aren't Christian?? In a way, they are saying something is wrong with you, or that you are different, or that you don't fit in - and that always made me think...
For instance, what if they starting putting "praise allah" on police cars, and then you have to wonder, I being treated different by this cop because I am Christian??
When people say, "black lives matter," in a way, aren't they saying, "and screw everyone else?"
But I had a friend point out, what if you aren't Christian?? In a way, they are saying something is wrong with you, or that you are different, or that you don't fit in - and that always made me think...
For instance, what if they starting putting "praise allah" on police cars, and then you have to wonder, I being treated different by this cop because I am Christian??
When people say, "black lives matter," in a way, aren't they saying, "and screw everyone else?"
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I am not a bible thumper however, this country was founded by Christians and I believe our founding fathers made their intent clear. Political correctness will be the downfall of this nation. If it continues, our national flag will be grey, our national anthem will no longer exist and our national heritage will be erased from history books.
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I don't see a reason to really fight against it but then again I don't see a reason to put it on police cars. I wouldn't want it on my police car. I just think this is a personal thing that someone in their agency wants to think they have some sort of favor of God or the community at least.
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CPT Pedro Meza
SSgt Terry P. - It is sad that none see that God is being used as a political tool and in the process all those that claim to worship God violate one of His Commandments; in Vain.
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Nope, freedom of speech, I am so sick of the political correctness storm that has taken over America.
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CPT Pedro Meza
Disagree, Freedom of Speech is what we have, a police car and government buildings and grounds represents the government and the government does not have freedom of speech.
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Why must we change things to appease people who moved to our country whom have different religious backgrounds? We're not forcing them to be Christians, but why are we the ones that should change? While we have freedom of religion, when did being God fearing become offensive and wrong?
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CPT Pedro Meza
PO1 Shahida Virella, The change is being made by those that claim to obey God, yet violate his Commandment of using God name in Vain for political reasons. The Constitution has separation of Church and State and that too is disobeyed.
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SSG (Join to see)
PO1 Shahida Marmol, it seems to me that only true Native Americans can make the first claim you are making...and I do not know what religion they, as a group, would support. If I had to guess it isn't one of the mainstream ones, but more of a respect nature sort of mentality with no specific identifiable deity. And from what I get from this discussion, no person is being asked to change, and I don't find your beliefs "offensive". What is being objected to is that representations of what should be the entire population currently contain wording that assumes the populations' view on things. Saying "In God We Trust", regardless of "G" or "g" or different wording for the indication of a deity, implies that the collective trusts in some "god". If the sides of the cars said "There is no God" it would be wrong for the same reasons. Leaving the area blank should not be offensive to anyone, and also it does not make any assumptions. THAT is how official government agencies and institutions should be portrayed.
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Suspended Profile
I didn't move from anywhere, I'm a born and bred American. My ancestors fought in the American Revolution (Lt Asa Stevens, PA Cavalry of Sheshequin) and the Civil War (James Stevens and Jacob Jones, both Union from PA). I daresay my claim to being American is as solid as anybody's. I can't stand any religion, including Christianity, find every bit of it to be incredibly stupid, and can't believe how gullible people are. Clearly, I wouldn't condone any reference to any religion on state property or police cars, etc.
So, since I'm every bit as American as anybody else, your reasoning of not bowing down to foreigners doesn't apply to me. Why should I tolerate the state endorsing a religion? If the state is to allow freedom of religion, that includes the state not endorsing any religion.
So, since I'm every bit as American as anybody else, your reasoning of not bowing down to foreigners doesn't apply to me. Why should I tolerate the state endorsing a religion? If the state is to allow freedom of religion, that includes the state not endorsing any religion.
Lt Col John Tringali
Everyone from here isn't Christian, and Jesus can't be found in any founding documents. God is a generic name for a monotheistic deity (Jehovah, Allah, Yahweh, etc) so it covers just about everyone.
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Which God? Could mean any God for that matter.But to the point,why are we subjected to a small group of people who are offended by everything.They have the freedom to voice their opinions but have no tolerance for the opinions or rights of others .
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CPT Pedro Meza
SSgt Terry P. - Placing signs on police cars after loosing the Ten Commandments battle on public land is simply pushing it, worse we are using God as a tool for political gain. Violates a Ten Commandment too; in Vain.
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Sgt Kelli Mays
CPT Pedro Meza - why do you seem to have such a problem with it? it's not telling you you have to trust in GOD or believe in GOD...it doesn't even specify which GOD...there are many GODS....each religion has their GODS and for those who do not believe...well you don't have to put your Trust in any GOD at any time...do you? so why are you so against it?
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CPT Pedro Meza
Sgt Kelli Mays - You assume, you fail to check that I have deployed and have served for many many years. Apply the Commandment "Don't use God name in Vain" because that is what happening, it is for political reasons.
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