by Natasha Leiding
In 1956, "In God We Trust" was officially made the U.S. national motto by Congress. Before that, "Under God" was added to out pledge in 1954. In 2002 an atheist by the name of Michael A. Newdow was successful in having this phrase declared unconstitutional. However, an act by Congress limited the power of Judiciary, therefore, preventing the removal of this phrase. Does having "In God We Trust" as our national motto, or "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, violate the constitution? Should these statements be eliminated from our currency and Pledge? How do you think this debatable issue should be handled?
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This post made me laugh seeing as I have constantly found myself debating with people over this as of late. The two phrases are not to be seen as a direct connection between church and government, which is what the issue comes down to. Our founding fathers were all, for the most part, God-fearing men who believed that a country is nothing without God's watch. These two phrases are completely constitutional and should not be removed from our coin or pledge. It also can serve as a hopeful idea if a tyrant such as Barrack Obama should be in office and you can't see anything but the near end. These phrases in no way affect our legislation as you have seen in many recent events that are completely underhanded and illegal and sponsored by the same institution that place those phrases where they are today. You must also think that in 1956 we were hunting and killin communists in our own country and in 2008 we elected a communist to lead our country. Just think about that my friends. God-fear to Godless?
Seperation of church and state seems to be coming up a lot as I mentioned. These things are being picked at yet does no one see a problem with the government schooling the entire populus almost? The government could impose any idea on anyone through our biased and disgusting, liberally swung education system. Words with no effect on major legislation are a big deal yet a complete monopoly on America's minds is not a problem? Liberal media... that's the reason that this subject is brought out and not the unfairness of evolution biased by teachers or the liberal monopoly of the public school system.
First, I would like to address Austin's statement that our education system is "biased and disgusting" because of evolution being taught in schools. Evolution has scientific evidence, and scientific evidence has it's place in science class. Religion however does not. It is in no way "disgusting" to teach science to children. Also, I would like to remind you that this subject was discussed in a previous blog, and if you are so inclined to argue on the topic, please respond to that blog.
America has become more than just a "God-fearing" nation. We are now an Allah-fearing nation, a Brahma-fearing nation, and many other god-fearing nations. We are a melting pot. I don't think that this is a question of Christianity, but a question of equality. As Americans, we should accept everyone, and choosing one religion-specific deity, leaves others repressed. You're choosing your god, and casting other's aside. I don't think removing "In God We Trust" from our money, however, would be efficient. There are millions of types and copies of currency out there and requisitioning them all just to change a phrase would be ridiculous. Though, when making new money, this should be something to consider. As for the pledge, I think it should be changed. How would you (I say you as being the general Christian public) feel if your child had to say a pledge with Allah or Brahma in it? I would bet that Muslim and Hindu parents must feel the same silent anger and unjustness. I believe that this is not a question of our heritage but of our future. Are we, as a nation, going to stay narrow-mindedly pushing away the ones that are different from us? We need to accept that America is no longer primarily Christian and make everyone feel accepted. Ask not what your money (or pledge) says about you, but what it says about your country.
In referring to our biased education system i was more referring to liberal policies and such. Not evolution for the most part but yes as I said, and I stand by it, a lot of teachers are biased. However, the term"God" can referr to Allah or whatever other deity you want. It depends on if you look at it how it was written. But as we have seen, our historic documents mean nothing to many people anymore so it should be no problem to look at it and interpret it how you wish.
Truly, both of those phrases violate the rights to any person in America. On one side, you could look at the issue from a non-Christian position. Would you want to say the Pledge of Allegiance if this so-called "God"'s name was in it? If you don't believe He exists, then why should you have to pledge to this nation under "God", if they won't even allow you to have a say so in your own views on religion? The First Amendment does, in fact, state that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.
On another side, a Christian could argue back with the fact that this country is one of free will. If a non-religious person wants to live here, they can have their way and just not say "Under God". According to a poll done by NBC News in 2003, 90% of Americans approve of the inscription on U.S. coins.
Personally, I agree with Brooke in the fact that the pledge is not fair for everyone in this country. The government always insists that they are not mixing church and state, but if the pledge is required in public schools, which are considered state property, then the government needs to take another look over the Constitution.
As for the money situation, I'm not sure if anything should be changed on those. I mean, in the end, it is just pieces of green paper that smell bad and have been touched by thousands of other people. You could write "I Love Cats" on the back and no one would notice.
If printing out a different bill would waste more taxpayer money, then I suggest not doing it, or putting it off until we are more financially stable as a country.
I do not believe that "Under God" should be in the pledge because we do live in America and just as Brooke said we are a melting pot, so there are many people in our country with different Gods and beliefs and it is not fair to them. Although, they did move here.. However, there are many Americans with different beliefs and cultures.
As for the evolution, the only reason that evolution is in our education system is because the government doesn't want to offend anybody and there is evidence. Our country is... I guess this .... place where everyone is accepted and anything goes, while at the same time you can be arrested for such. It's a little bit ridiculous to me. I am well aware on what this country was founded on.. I just don't like how it turned out.
No matter how you look at the situation, there's always a 180 degree side to it. Who knows what's right anymore? Look at what our society has come to..
The phrase is constitutional because that was one of the central beliefs during that time period of it creation and so not many people argued with it. Now, more than ever, America is the melting pot of numerous cultures and thus this phrase is questioned more. I think it should stay as long as people aren't forced to believe in or recite it.
I can see how one could say that "in god we trust" is unconstitutional becouse America was formed around freedoms such as the right of religion. Yet when America was formed christianity was the major religion, thus our country was based around christian beleifs so having god mentioned in government is bound to happen.
I believe that the name of God should be kept from anything related to the government. The pledge should still be able to be said in school since you are pledging allegiance to your country but the government could find a way to take the word of God out of it. There are too many different religions and names for Gods for it to be fair to everyone by stating that there is a country under God, there is also the fact that atheists must have an issue pledging allegiance to a country that is under a God they don't believe in. Simply enough it is stated that church would not be involved with state which is exactly what stating "In God We Trust" as a national motto and claiming our nation to be under God does. In my honest opinion I do think that the word of God should be omitted from anything related to government. People have the freedom to believe as they do bit it is not right or fair for the government to press that upon people unwilling to do so.
I think that it should be removed, however, I really doubt that it would be, because for some reason, the 'majority' of Americans are Christians, and feel that even though we're SUPPOSED to have religious freedom, everyone who isn't a Christian should be.
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