Beats me! The Constitution was actually put together by Atheists who were SICK AND TIRED of RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION! So the phrase "In God we trust" is an oxymoron to me.

Thomas Jefferson wrote about building a wall of separation between church and state. The point of separation is not to prevent religious believers from addressing political questions or to block laws that reflect moral commitments. Instead, "separation" refers to an institutional arrangement, and a constitutional order, in which religious institutions are FREE and SELF-GOVERNING -- neither above and controlling, or beneath and subordinate to, the state. This freedom limits the state and so safeguards the freedom of ALL -- believers and non-believers alike.

"In God we trust" is in everyone's face, much like your original signature, "No one is impecabble (sp), but the God almighty!"

The phrase on American money should read "Live and let live" or "Mind your own beeswax"-- something like that.

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You cannot reason someone out of something they were not reasoned into. Jonathan Swift

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Here is how my mind works. If I read something interesting that I've never run across before I'll do some fact checking. Here is the first hit I got Googling "The Writers of the Constitution were atheists"

From:

http://atheism.about.com/od/godlessliberals/p/Constitution.htm


The authors of the American Constitution were not atheists, though some might be regarded as little more than atheists by self-righteous religious moralizers today. Many of the authors were deists. Among those who were Christian, few seem to have held same sort of religious beliefs common with conservative evangelicals in America today. The Christian Right would claim them as religious brethren, but the two groups are far too dissimilar for that.

Why does the Christian Right seek to make a big deal out of the religious beliefs of the authors of the Constitution, though? They seem to think that if these men can be identified as devout Christians, then it follows that the Constitution is a Christian document which embodies Christian principles and doctrines (as defined by the Christian Right, of course). This does not follow, however. A Christian is every bit as capable of creating a godless, secular document as an atheist is.

Indeed, the fact that many of these men were devout Christians (even if not in the way that the Christian Right imagines) bolsters the case of contemporary secularists because it makes the absence of overt religious and Christian language all the more glaring. If they had mostly been atheists, the non-religious language would be expected and unremarkable. Yet because they were religious and steeped in Christian education, the absence of Christian language and references must be read as both deliberate and purposeful.

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"Never argue with idiots, they drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience"

Geeman wrote: "My understanding is the slogan was added to the money in reaction to the Communist threat during the '50's. They added 'under God' to the Pledge of Allegiance at the same time, which if you listen to it, is really bad for the poetry of the Pledge." He added that the slogan on the money might be a warning to not put our trust in those issuing the money.
With the latter, I'd have to agree unequivocally, although I'm not entirely sure trusting in God is much safer.
As for when the slogan first appeared on our money, I don't remember exactly, but I think it was about the same time as "Tail gunner Joe" started the McCarthy era witchhunts, which would be in the early '50's. I honestly don't remember it not being on our money, so that woudl fit too, since much before that, I wasn't all that aware of money anyway. But I remember old "Tail gunner Joe", who wasn't a tail gunner at all. He lied about that. {Big surprise from a politician!?!}

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fair winds and following seas

Personally I like my state's motto, "Live Free or Die!"
As far as "In God We Trust" and "One Nation Under God", they are logically inappropriate, but other than in the hands of the religious right, probably of such a low harm level that they can be ignored, until the majority of the country comes to its senses.

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Hello

We have asked this question a few times in our lives .
My older brother and his clan asked this question during bible study in the 70,s and was never given an answer that they liked so they marked "God" off of the bills they were adding to the collection plate. oops This started a big stink for a small town pastor and some hippie "punks" about defacing currency and patriotism BUT they never received an answer (that they liked) about "why"
This would have been a good question on the census. I think If the question of should we keep it or not were put to vote these words would still win ,maybe by a small margin but better than 50/50.
I went right to the source with this question of why "in God we trust" and was never given a proper answer.
I have used money/currency as a learning tool for many years ,just because it was there more than any other reason and it is in even domination's . A play by color and the number game that a child still uses for basic math .

I have enjoyed the U.S.Mint website for many years along with the U.S. postal web site .
Go the source.
u.s. mint historians corner
if you want to feel real small go to the source.
u.s. treasury home page
U.S. treasury coins and currency

The source. will someone find out what their answer is? I am curious.

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Read to your kid they will read with you,re neighbors kid
It is not the crazy people you worry about ....It is the one,s that don,t know it!

Bullseye Geeman!

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"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless, and do no wrong". (Knight's Oath, Kingdom of Heaven)

Then you don't see much. You seem a very conservative Christiany person. I don't mind Christians but to be so blind about the travesties past and present, its mind boggling.

Whether or not the framers of the Constitution were believers 'just like me' isn't really the question. Is this motto "In God We Trust" culturally true for the United States. I would use George Washington's first inaugural speech as an example of the beliefs that this nation was founded upon. ". . . it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; . . . since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."

Red said:
And just because everyone else is doing it is no good excuse. I'll label all such causes for war evil along with Christianity. Evil is discriminate and popularity of evil does not make it okay.

So you're saying that all Christians are evil, Red?

Based on the number of typos in that mess of a sentence, I'd say you need some sleep.

Now, if I can understand what you are trying to say, then you left out a mighty big "IF" from your previous comment. You'd better be careful with things like that, Red, because carelessness of that sort can cause lots of trouble. Think about what you are actually saying before you just blurt it out on this forum. Trust me when I say that you'll be saving yourself problems, especially when you are commenting on evil and religion of any ilk in the same sentence.

Bankers know that history is inflationary and that money is the last thing a wise man will hoard.
Will Durant

well Christine I see it this way, this nation was built on the promise of equality for all mankind who live here. Freedom to believe whatever it is they want. By placing the particular slogan in such a prominent place is an injustice to others who do not share the Christianity view of Faith. Christians (for the most part) have a one sided view of the world, where if it's not their way it's the wrong way. Imagine if it was "In Buddah we trust" and having to use that everyday. How you would feel about your government seeing your particular views as not as important as others? Not that I personally have any issues with using currency with "God" on it but to offer an explanation for the Christian hostility. I'm glad you have a belief but keep in mind that other people have beliefs as well.

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It's amazing what people will do when they feel they are entitled.

understood GG

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It's amazing what people will do when they feel they are entitled.

Sadly, I'll have to agree with that sentiment.

tgabriel11
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010 4:09:33 PM
Rank: Member

Joined: 2/7/2010
Posts: 12
Points: 36
Location: New York, USA

"In God we trust"......All others pay cash!!!

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I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

IMO people in the south don't want government in their religion. It isn't that we don't expect government to act morally, because we do, it is that we don't expect or want government to tell us what we should think or believe. We aren't near as pushy as you seem to think. I don't think we expect everyone to believe just like we do or even feel that they need to. What would we ever discuss? How would we keep our minds and spirits sharp and strong if we weren't forced to have exchange with one another? If the majority ever decide to take IN GOD WE TRUST out I don't think God would mind that we aren't using his holy name as a means for sometimes unholy gain.

Nope!