Live Vote: Should 'In God We Trust' be yanked?

I am overwhelmed that 51% of online voters are voting to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency. I am saddened. I see OUR country becoming more and more divided. I do not believe that this was the intention of our forefathers. I believe they founded OUR country on basic religious principals that are now being cast out like yesterday's newspaper. I turn on the radio, and I hear "freedom of speech" abused, and our children, our future, our society is suffering. Every corner we turn, "freedom of speech" has gone so far beyond its original purpose. Basic principals of decency are being overlooked because we have the right to overlook them. I hope that my children and our children will help to rebuild and restructure OUR nation UNDER GOD, and TRUSTING IN GOD, and that decency will be restored through their strength and courage of knowing the difference between right and wrong. Religion is only a small part of the battle, but it is one of the most important building blocks of OUR nation.

I don't think that our founding fathers were stupid at all, they founded this country, and made it the Great Nation it used to be. I think that we need to go back to those grass roots and start over, cause everything that they believed in has been watered down. If everyone has the right for freedom of speech, then so do Christians. If you don't like it plug your ears. I have to when other speek and I don't agree.

I believe they founded OUR country on basic religious principals that are now being cast out like yesterday's newspaper.

Care to count how many times the Founding Documents reference "God"? Once. Total. You'd think that a nation founded upon explicit religious principles would mention the big guy's name a few more times.

I guess our founding fathers, Washington, Madison, Hamilton etc are too stupid to understand constitutional law. Good thing they were not too stupid to write it.

You do realize that "In God We Trust" didn't exist on our currency until the 1950s's, right?

If you don't like it plug your ears. I have to when other speek and I don't agree.

Wow, and you're proud of "You don't agree with me? LALALALA!"? That's... surprising.

To them, it is ok to believe in God, just don't display it in any form or fashion.

Ahem, you realize that the very existence of churches is a display of belief in God, right?

Yet at the same time, they cry "freedom of speech" blaah blaahh blaahhh... then turn around and shut you down because you believe in God.

Hehehehe, are you familiar with something called the First Amendment? I think it means just a little bit more than "blaah blaahh blaahhh."

Isn't it bad enough you take God out of the schools

Ah yes, because the US should be a theocracy -- like Saudi Arabia.

Jack, well said. It's rather disheartening to listen to the religous people cry about how the founding fathers wanted this country to be a Christian country. In addition to the points you made, the first treaty our country negotiated was with the Barbary coast pirates, was signed by some of the founding fathers and states that the U.S. is in no way a Christian state.

The one thing that all religions require is that a person surrender their reasoning abilities to someone else.

Sorry, but I'm still learning, and won't surrender my mind to any sort of authority figure, no matter how comforting that might be.

Jack,

And just what does your comment have to do with mine? Did I put anywhere in my post anything about when "In god we trust" was put in? My comment was directed towards a patriotic American post about people who believe in the bible being too stupid to understand the constitution.

But just to be direct: the term "In God we Trust" is not unconstitutional because it does not establish a religion. There is no such thing as separation of church and state in the constitution. At least "God" is referenced once while separation of church and state is not mentioned anywhere. You would think that if the founding fathers were so concerned they would have put it in at least once. Just using your logic.

just to be direct: the term "In God we Trust" is not unconstitutional because it does not establish a religion. To be just as direct in response, bull@!$%#. The phrase has been found not to be unconstitutional because the court did some mental gymnastics to conclude that it is a "Secular" statement which serves a "ritual" purpose, not a religious one. Personally, I think the argument is stupid, and clearly wrong, but regardless, their ruling had nothing to do with whether the phrase "established a religion" and everything to do with whether it violated the separation of church and state

As far as whether the founders intended a separation of church and state, judging from their very own words, they thought that they had established such through the first amendment. See Madison on the topic.

iarnuocon,
Let me understand this. I said the phase was not unconstitutional and you said the phase was not unconstitutional. Seems we agree that it is not unconstitutional. There is no separation of church and state in the constitution. Thus there is no reason for the phase to be considered unconstitutional. If they had intended such a separation then why did they not put it in and please don't give me this "they thought they did" stuff. The Bill of Rights does not grant any rights to us. It limits government. Which is why the establishment clause was put in to protect against a "Church of England" situation. It also says "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,"

BTW, I have seen Madison and Jefferson about the subject.

I said the phase was not unconstitutional and you said the phase was not considered unconstitutional by the court Seems we agree that it is not unconstitutional. There is no separation of church and state in the constitution. Thus there is no reason for the phase to be considered unconstitutional. There, fixed that for you.

Look, you can argue til you're blue in the face that because the establishment clause does not use the phrase, there is no separate church and state. But you'll be arguing against long tradition (extending as far back in America as the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657) of separation of church and state. You'll be arguing against the words of the man who wrote the first amendment, various founding fathers (such as Washington, Jefferson, et al) who wrote to that effect both before and after the ratification of the Constitution, the understanding of various religious leaders of the time (such as Isaac Backus, who in 1773-- long before the Constitution-- stated that that when "church and state are separate, the effects are happy, and they do not at all interfere with each other: but where they have been confounded together, no tongue nor pen can fully describe the mischiefs that have ensued."), and various state constitutions of the time. You'd be arguing against the fact that the most specific support for your interpretation-- the original language of the amendment-- was altered to specifically remove the word "national" before the word "religion", as in-- "Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of a national religion..."

I agree that the Bill of Rights does not grant citizens rights, but rather restricts government power (something that many Christians fail to acknowledge when railing against Roe v Wade).

None of the above remotely impacts the fact that the 5th Circuit Court found the phrase "In God We Trust" to be constitutional by virtue of the fact that it does not violate church/state separation, consisting, according to the court, of a "secular" phrase serving a "ceremonial" purpose (see Madalyn Murray O'Hair, et al. v. W. Michael Blumenthal, Secretary of Treasury, et al. 588 F.2d 1144 (1979)). Note that the issue has never been taken up by the Supreme Court in terms of its constitutionality-- the above case only reached the Court of Appeals. Many other cases have been dismissed on the same grounds as mentioned above, without arguments ever being heard. Nevertheless, an overwhelming percentage of the American population feel that the phrase is religious, is an endorsement of religion, and are at odds with the reasoning of the court, irrespective of whether they agree with the results of the court's decision.

Which is why although the phrase is currently permitted, I simply cannot agree to its constitutionality. Concluding it to be a "secular" phrase requires bending the English language out of all acceptable meaning.

Just for the information... Seperation of Church and State is not and never was a law. It was a term used by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 in a letter to the Danburry Baptiste Association, simply to reassure the Association that the State would not try to get into THEIR bussiness as a church. It was then quoted in the Supreme Court in 1947 to mean the exact opposite of what Jefferson, a DEIST might I add, not a christian, intended it to mean. There is no seperation of church and state in reality...

iarnuocon,
No need to fix it because it was right the first time. You state that I argue against long tradition going back to 1657. That "tradition" is irrelevant. There were very few cases regarding the establishment clause going before the Supreme Court in the 1800's and it was not until Justice Black (1947) twisted Jefferson's words in Danbury that we had any significant verbiage from the court regarding separation of church and state. Until modern times (following Everson) things that had been considered constitutional suddenly became unconstitutional (so much for tradition). That started the reinterpretation of Madison and Jefferson and Washington. Madison in fact was against the Bill of Rights at the Constitutional Convention. Washington called for a national day of prayer following the vote on the Bill of Rights. I would think that a president calling for a national day of prayer would be much higher on the establishment scale than having "In God we Trust" on a piece of paper.

I also rely on the US tradition of Congress giving public money to support education of native Americans in the 1890's. This only stopped when the money got too large not because anyone thought it was unconstitutional. Even in Everson the court ruled that it was constitutional for state funds to be used to reimburse parents of parochial students.

You well know that the court will issue as narrow an opinion as possible which is why they have never ruled on it. I find it amazing how it has only been in the last couple of decades that this "wall" has suddenly appeared in real life.

There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution. I am not even close to being blue. Finally, what gives the Supreme Court the right to determine what is constitutional?

would you like to move on to the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 10th amendments. :)

Well put! The interpretation of the separation of Church and state has been misrepresented for too long!
The Church has not had anything to do with minting our coin. The government does that job, and it is not being usurped by the Church or directed by the Church.
The Republic is made up of the people who ARE the Church

Jack, And just where in the constitution does it say that? Please give me the section and article. It would be nice if you would read it first. Maybe you might want to take a BASIC class in constitutional law before answering. I will give you the real answer later. I am sure that iarnuocon knows the real answer.

You guys can keep talking all about how separation of church and state is not a law, but it will be to no avail. I've already pointed you in the direction of the roots of the notion, which existed both before the Constitution was written, and within the understanding of the writers of the Constitution, as well as after its ratification in responses to those who had questions about it. Denying that the intent of the clause was to both prevent the establishment of a national religion and to erect a barrier between church and state is simply stupid. Almost as much nonsense as claiming that Black "twisted" Jefferson's meaning (which itself requires an extremely blinkered sophistry).

Griping that Everson suddenly made things unconstitutional that had previously been constitutional is simply irrelevant. That's often the effect when the Supreme Court takes up a question about fundamental meanings of the document. For instance, should I claim that gun control is "really" constitutional because prior to Heller the Supreme Court largely ignored the 2nd Amendment?

You call it a "reinterpretation" of Madison and Jefferson. I call it no such thing. Regardless whether Madison felt a Bill of Rights was necessary, he authored the bulk of the document. His understanding of the meaning of the amendments is not rendered invalid simply by virtue of his opposition to the necessity of writing it, and again-- it requires tortured logic to maintain that his understanding of the meaning is irrelevant. And certainly Madison fought against even such nods in the direction of the personal expression of religion by public officers as the maintenance of congressional chaplains.

What are the legally binding ramifications of a national day of anything? To my knowledge, none. To be sure, the government does not require prayer, or organize the observance of a national day of prayer. And while I would argue that it gives the appearance of entangling government with religion (as would many other people), by avoiding such requirements, the government attempts (and largely succeeds) to skirt the church/state issue. It in no way skirts the issue in the creation, distribution, and control of money.

I find your complaint that separation has only been addressed within "the last couple of decades" to be spurious. It wasn't until 1897 that the court began incorporating the Bill of Rights, so the resolution of the question of church/state separation came within 50 years of the start of that process. By comparison, the question of incorporation of the 2nd Amendment is still not resolved.

Finally, as to what gives the Supreme Court the right to determine what is constitutional, I'd suggest the foundation is laid in Article III, in the practice of judicial review which predated the Constitution in English common law, from which our system is derived, and was delineated by Hamilton in the Federalist Papers #78. The question was resolved in Marbury v Madison in 1803, within two decades of the Constitution's ratification. I would expect if the framers of the Constitution felt the court was abusing its power, there would have been some mention of it. And certainly the argument can be made that during ratification the issue would certainly have been touched on if the participants felt the Constitution prohibited such judicial review, especially as given that said participants were familiar with the practice.

If you want to talk about the other amendments, I'd be happy to, although perhaps those discussions would be better had under articles to which they are directly relevant. Don't want to threadjack, you know.

"Ahem, that's kinda their job."

Yes, a job they gave to themselves -- much to the dismay of the founding fathers, I might add.

See Thomas Jefferson's point of view on this matter in his letter to Spencer Roane where he decries that the constitution has become a "thing of wax" in the hands of the Supreme Court (Google it, it's an interesting read).

It's also interesting that the letter to the Danbury Baptists was even used or considered in a constitutional case by the Supreme Court seeing as how *Thomas Jefferson wasn't present during the drafting of the Bill of Rights (he was ambassador to France at the time) so he's hardly an authoritative source on its meaning*. That said, however, I do not argue with his conclusion which is that the rights of the Danbury Baptists to worship in whatever manner they choose would be protected by the establishment clause of the constitution (the wall of separation meaning to keep government from interfering with the free practice of religion). I fail to see how "In God We Trust" violates this principle. It doesn't prevent any person from practicing their religious beliefs.

For those concerned about "In God We Trust" running afoul of the establishment clause, I must wonder how this is true. After all, the phrase fails to establish exactly *which* God in whom we place our trust. Is it Jehova, Shiva, Allah, Jesus, Thor, Gaia, ...?

And yet Jefferson's fears about a despotic Supreme Court have not come to pass. Nor would his formulation of "each department" being responsible for its own interpretation of the constitutionality of laws ever have worked (or ever would, if instituted by any government). By his formulation, the Supreme Court would be largely meaningless, unable to act, at all, as a check on the other two branches. I've got a lot of respect for Jefferson, but I think this is a case where, clearly, he was wrong.

the phrase fails to establish exactly *which* God in whom we place our trust. In establishing any god, singular or in multiples, as against no gods whatsoever, the phrase would (if "God" were not capitalized), still violate separation. As is, however, the capitalization of "God" quite clearly renders it as the Christian "God", and not some generic "higher power."

Best to leave the phrase off, entirely. It serves no purpose other than a government endorsement of religion. As national mottos go, it's a poor one. We should return to E Pluribus Unum as the (rather than "a") national motto, as it more directly relates to the American ideal.

I knew you would know such a simple answer as Marbury. Ah, the foundation was laid in Article III. I say it was the court TAKING a power that it was not given. What Marbury did was move the power from the Congress to the Court. In reality, 5 old people who are not elected have the power to change the constitution. What would prevent just 5 old people from ruling that there is no free speech? How about freedom of assembly? If such a thing were to happen what recourse would WE THE PEOPLE have? Would we not have to go through the long process of amending the Constitution? Do you really believe that the founders wold willing put such power into only 5 people? I believe that the reason there is little written regarding the very dangerous precedent set in Marbury is that the court was not an activist court like today. Also Jefferson did comment on it in a letter to Livingston in 1825. If this was not the case then why did FRD try to stack the court in order to push his unconstitutional programs. The founding fathers would not agree with the destruction of the Commerce Clause.

IF Madison had his way and there was no Bill of Rights then would we be having this argument? I doubt it. Your comment about the 2nd proves my point. It is not up to the court to question the incorporation of it. The right to bear arms is an unalienable right. The government does not have the right to take it away because it did not give us that right.

Madison has been proven right in his concern that by adding a Bill of Rights it has taken things that are unalienable and put them into the hands and small brains of some jurists. As for saying that Black's comment was twisted I will leave it to Chief Justice Rehnquist in his dissent of Wallace v Jaffree (1985) to answer that.

BTW, I really do enjoy this debate with you. Just curious how we would resolve this if we were in Phily trying to write this document. Just think how hard that must have been especially without air conditioning. lol

What Marbury did was move the power from the Congress to the Court. In reality, 5 old people who are not elected have the power to change the constitution. What would prevent just 5 old people from ruling that there is no free speech? How would they rule that there is no free speech when free speech is guaranteed? By what method would they reverse the plain language of the Amendment? By what manner would they enforce such a ruling? In what manner would they be able to prevent juries from nullifying such a reading of the law? And, yes, in what way would they prevent Congress from enacting legislation to counter their obtuse reading of the law, or the people from having their elected representatives amend the Constitution to prevent such an interpretation, or to defend against their own impeachment for malfeasance?

I believe that the reason there is little written regarding the very dangerous precedent set in Marbury is that the court was not an activist court like today. But according to you, the Court was not given the power of judicial review, so wouldn't their granting of themselves such power be the ultimate in judicial activism? It's hard to argue that they were both simultaneously not activist and also activist.

Again, judicial review was well-known at the time. I find it hard to believe that anti-federalist participants in the ratification, aware of the possibility of exactly the fears you've raised, would not have brought up the issue of judicial review if they did not accept that as the proper role of the court. The argument that such was the case doesn't hold much water, in my opinion.

Re: FDR and his court-packing scheme, the Democrat controlled Judiciary Committee recommended against it. In my opinion, the separation of powers allowed Congress to check the President's power, in that case.

IF Madison had his way and there was no Bill of Rights then would we be having this argument? I doubt it. I doubt it as well, but I'd bet that our reasoning on why would be different. In my opinion, absent a Bill of Rights, this country would not be the country it is today. Given the federal government's reflexive attempts to undercut constitutionally guaranteed rights (as in rights which the constitution has forbidden government to curtail), an America absent such protections would likely not have those rights respected at all. Or, facing a government intent on abusing those rights, the people would likely have drastically altered the face of America in response. We wouldn't be having this argument because there likely wouldn't be an "America" in which the argument would be taking place.

Ultimately, though, the argument you make, here, is tautological-- if things were different, then things would be different.

Your comment about the 2nd proves my point. I fail to see how. Your point seemed to be that the "recency" of the court addressing church/state separation calls into question its existence. I don't think it does. You're simply begging the question by assuming the court has no role in determining whether incorporation impacts the second amendment's application to state government.

Of course, that shouldn't come as a surprise, I guess, since the basis of your argument seems to be that the Supreme Court has no role in reviewing the laws. Still, it's an argument that goes against centuries old understanding of the role of the judiciary, and more than a century's understanding of the role of the court in adjudicating the impact of Lincoln's shift of American government to a strong federalism. It's difficult for me to see how your formulation of how things are can be squared with an historical understanding of the issues.

Madison has been proven right in his concern that by adding a Bill of Rights it has taken things that are unalienable and put them into the hands and small brains of some jurists. Perhaps, but in the absence of a Bill of Rights, I think it's quite obvious that the people's demand for respect of unalienable rights would have suffered at the whims of the small brains of various Presidents, or the whims of a democratic majority. I, for one, would not like to think that my freedoms existed simply because 51% of Americans felt that my rights agreed with their notions of what I should be allowed to do.

Just curious how we would resolve this if we were in Phily trying to write this document. Just think how hard that must have been especially without air conditioning. Beer. Lots and lots of beer. ;)

Bottomline: the supreme court had the chance to rule on this but did not. Thus it is constitutional. All it takes is 5 old people.

"How would they rule that there is no free speech when free speech is guaranteed? By what method would they reverse the plain language of the Amendment?"
What plain language is that? The one that we have been disagreeing about? Has not free speech been limited? I say yes in campaign finance reform. Are we talking about the plain language of the 2nd amendment? There is no plain language.

Re: FDR and his court-packing scheme, the Democrat controlled Judiciary Committee recommended against it. In my opinion, the separation of powers allowed Congress to check the President's power, in that case.

It recommended against it because they knew the political backlash would be too great. So FDR waited to appoint judges who would overturn previous rulings and thus destroy the Commerce Clause.

I think that I do agree with you on the beer comments. In fact, now that I think of it that was probably how they got through it which is why we are having this disagreement. They were drunk when they wrote the Bill of Rights. :) Just what does that "militia" thing really mean? lol

the supreme court had the chance to rule on this but did not. Thus it is constitutional. Like I said waaaaayyy back up in #1.12-- the court considers it constitutional because they found it did not violate the separation of church and state, being a "secular" phrase serving a "ceremonial" purpose. I still think that argument is bull@!$%#, and the fact that 3/4 of the American population agrees that the phrase is a religious phrase indicates that the court's justification is spurious. It's "constitutional" but also very very dumb.

What plain language is that? Congress shall make no law... abridging freedom of speech. That's pretty plain. You can talk about the niceties which are necessary for the functioning of society (such as the much bandied about shouting of "Fire!" in a theater), but the idea that the Supreme Court, absent a thoroughly scrutinized argument, is somehow going to be able to prevent free speech is a non-starter.

It recommended against it because they knew the political backlash would be too great. So what? Now not only do they have to reach the right conclusions, but their reasoning must also agree with yours? FDR attempted to pack the court and failed. If this represents some sort of gaping security hole, which seems to be your point, is it not the job of Congress to address that? Have they? And if not, why not? Why doesn't anyone seem ot share your sense of urgency on these issues? I would suggest it's because they don't represent the huge threat that you would have me believe.

Again, by what manner would they enforce such a ruling? In what manner would they be able to prevent juries from nullifying such a reading of the law? And, yes, in what way would they prevent Congress from enacting legislation to counter their obtuse reading of the law, or the people from having their elected representatives amend the Constitution to prevent such an interpretation, or to defend against their own impeachment for malfeasance?

Just what does that "militia" thing really mean? lol I have a bunch of commentary floating around Newsvine on that issue, too. ;)

Actually what should be printed on our money is: In THIS god we trust.

For greed and love of money is ruining our nation. You can't serve GOD and mammon.

The U.S. has only given HIM lip service for far too long. We do not obey His commands, and we have elevated false gods to His level.

Then we say "God Bless America." As if He could at the present time.

@Jack

Ahem, you realize that the very existence of churches is a display of belief in God, right?

well... technically it is a display in the belief of a deity and not all church structures glorify the same god. If say, you were to get more specific and use church to mean places like a Hindu temple, Cathedrals and Mosques... perhaps I might agree with you slightly more, but then what of "Freedom of Religion".

Yeah, that has nothing to do with seemingly non-secular phrases printed on currency - but:

1.) is it worth arguing over "In God We Trust" on the money we spend. I'm sure Muslims, Christians, and Atheists are equally eager to spend the same dollar. Of course, Jesus allegedly saved...

2.) given the social priority shift in the course of the past 40 years, perhaps it shoudl change to "In the Dollar We Trust", given that most people irrespective of their faith seem to deify money.

You know what we have young men dying for our beliefs all over the world and we are trying to change a coin that has been that way forever. I am amazed that you would try to change something that is something that 95% of us believe in. Obviously there are know Veterans in this or at least War time Veterans because in our situations it is best to believe in the Lord. So if you do not want to support the majority beliefs of our Nation Maybe you should relocate to Venezuela or somewhere else maybe Iran it would help on our immigration problem because if you do not like where you are living just go life somewhere else PLEASE.

@nickie

CAPS LOCK AND MAD GRAMMAR DO NOT MAKE YOU KEWL.

Shawn:
True. My contention did need clarification.

To address your points:
1. Very honestly, such a thing does not bother me much at all. I just find it funny that so many Christians bring out these grand, dire proclamations in order to justify the fact that they wanna spend Jesus Bucks.
2. Heh. Agreed, though I'd say that that was true long before 40 years ago.

1. Very honestly, such a thing does not bother me much at all. I just find it funny that so many Christians bring out these grand, dire proclamations in order to justify the fact that they wanna spend Jesus Bucks.

very true.

Pappy, I don't know what to say really. You've taken a problem and you've stated your objections to it in a clear straight forward way by using double speak. I honesty didn't think that anyone could talk about a positive in a negative way so that it comes out like it did. What really surprises me is the amount of people who are against having In God We Trust on our money. Do you happen to know when that motto was added? I think it was either Truman or Ike, but don't hold me to that because it was just an educated guess. I see no harm in having it there as does the rest of my immediate family. Could you please explain to me in one speak ~LOL~ what the In God We Trust has to do with what the Supreme court did? Who filed the law suit that brought the separation of Church and State
to the Supreme Court? I just remember bit's and pieces of the whole mess. When was that law suit filed do you know? I guess I should really bone up on my American History or maybe get my Grand Daughter involved. It's really to bad that we can't get some American History teachers to present this to his Junior and Senior class and see what the next generation has to say about the way we messed this country up. Yes I sad ''US'' like you and me. Getting back to the Justices, there's no way I want to see all of the Supreme Court Justices impeached while we have someone like Bush in office to pick their replacements. This argument needs to be put away until a better day! Don't you agree? All those in favor say AYE and those against say NAY......
Thank You and I hope you have a nice day.

WOW! so much argument about something that in the long run wont really matter will it?
you cant spend the money in heaven or hell, and it will spend on earth no matter what the caption says. seems like we should spend our time a little more wisely to me than by agruing over something we cant make or break anyway. the bible says something about ...uhm... strife, contention, and principalities and powers ... maybe we should re-read that, or for some of you look it up. For the ones who don't believe in the bible, well that's between you and "yourself". Just because you think the grass is blue don't make it so, now does it?

Just a few thoughts

Please don't bring up the "liberals" vs "conservatives" argument - you know not whereof you speak. This argument is between "libertarian" conservatives (who want a small government kept out of religion entirely - meaning no "In God We Trust") and "Authoritarian" conservatives (McCarthy - Nixon - Reagan - Bush, et. al.) who want to tell others how to live and that they must "respect" the authoritarian's "God" by having it on their money.

The Liberals are all over on the sideline laughing.

Gee, who was it who asked who's picture was on the money? and when the crowd responded "Caesar's", He said "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, render unto "God" that which is His. Sounds like putting "In God We Trust" on our money might be considered blasphemous if not anti-Christ

Up above is a technically interesting legal argument back and forth about the "Separation" clause, but there is silliness buried within. There are remarks that simply because the specific phrase "separation of church and state" was not used,l it was not intended. Never have I seen such a specious argument. There are a lot of things not specifically in the constitution, they had a limited time and amount of paper / brainspace / bandwidth to set up a philosophy of how to govern; not a laundry list of all the principles in the world; this notion is silly on the face of it.

For those who do not understand the significance of the argument you need to understand that - that this is an argument of fundamental philosophies; of libertarian vs. authoritarian; and let there be no doubt about it: this is about enforcing an ideology by writing it onto our currency; in essence the question is whether it establishes a state religion(s) that involve belief in a deity as opposed to freedom of religion (including ones that either have no deity, many deities; or involve no particular "trust" in such deities (e.g. Loki, chaos, et. al.)

As has been said, The Supreme Court has never ruled on the constitutionality one way or another. as has been siad, this is the reason for the existence of a Supreme Court, to serve as a check and balance against the other two branches by ruling on the constitutionality / unconstitutionality of laws / actions of the other two branches; to argue against that is to argue against our entire system of government. The Court does not pass laws; they validate / invalidate and express the why of such validation so that other laws don't simply repeat the errors.

I think the most foolish of all comments are those expressing outrage that this is even being considered - if you think this is a waste of time, why on earth did you comment?

Thank you!!! I was trying to remember that Biblical quote, but for some reason it wasn't coming to me.

Thank you for your viewpoint and explaining it in a measured, respectful way. It is refreshing on this thread.

I'll second that. Thank you!! I had begun to wonder if many of the commenters really understood what the debate was all about in the first place. Your comment assures me that at least some of those wandering in DO indeed "get it".

For what it's worth, I'm not a Libertarian, but as a liberal-minded individual, I can appreciate many of their ideas.

pappyopa,

There will come a day, when you will bow before God, the God we trust, and admit that he is Lord and Savior, God says that every knee shall bow before him and admit that he is the one and only true God. I just pray for you, that you admit that before it's too late for you. You should be ashamed trying to bring America down with you. I say give all the money you have with In God We Trust on it to a needy person who believes in God to take care of them each and every day. Think about it, that would solve your problem. You would have no money, so therfore you wouldn't have to try to drag someone else into Hell with you when you meet my God, the Father and the Holy Spirit and hear Him say to you, Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity, as he cast you into a lake of fire. A quote from the Kings James version of the Holy Bible.

The freedom to pursue a free relationship with God is the reason this country was established in the first place. Those that don't like that fact can go to China or any other country that doesn't place it's foundation upon Him. I guarantee though, if that country had a catostrophic occurance, our country and our money (with ""in God we trust") would be the first to help. To those who have been given much, much is expected.

Also, who has time to sit around and read what's put on our money? They must have nothing better to do then to try to persecute Christians. If you don't like "in God we trust" use a debit card.

Gee, who was it who asked who's picture was on the money? and when the crowd responded "Caesar's", He said "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, render unto "God" that which is His. Sounds like putting "In God We Trust" on our money might be considered blasphemous if not anti-Christ

That, or that we should probably tithe a bit heavier...

God says that every knee shall bow before him and admit that he is the one and only true God.

I think Odin says something similar, and offers something rather unpleasant if you don't obey.

I guarantee though, if that country had a catostrophic occurance, our country and our money (with ""in God we trust") would be the first to help.

Actually, the US really didn't contribute much to China after the Sichuan earthquake.

"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

A lot of truth in this The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing? Now they want to top all of this off by taking the very thing this country is founded on and removing what little we have left of him from our currency? Whats next?

I just pray for you, that you admit that before it's too late for you.

You would have no money, so therfore you wouldn't have to try to drag someone else into Hell with you when you meet my God, the Father and the Holy Spirit and hear Him say to you, Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity, as he cast you into a lake of fire.

How horrible it must be to fear your God so that you feel you must threaten others. Last I checked, the Christian Christ lead by love and positive action, not intimidation and threats.

And the King James Bible has been proven to be inaccurate, so providing a chapter and verse would allow us to read from the New International Version or even Young's Literal Translation to glean more from that "quote."

We belivers, have for many years supported the rights of those that do not believe the way we do. Why is it so difficult for non-belivers to do the same? Are you threatened? There is a right in this country to believe as you wish. Why is this right not respected?

There is a right in this country to believe as you wish. Why is this right not respected?

Last I checked, the basis for Christian worship does not reside on the dollar bill.

Just a couple of things..... First Missy ... it was 51% that said not to change the money as it reads now. I think the wording was a little confusing. By the way how much do you think it would cost us to reprint all of the American Currency ..... hummmmm oh well it's only money. Secondly..... unless you have really read the Bible and studied it commenting on it is not wise. The relationship to the what seems to be harsh treatment of God against the sinners is shifted when He sent His Son to take on the sins of the world and give HIS LIFE for us. Please don't blame God for the heartless behavior His kids have perpetrated against the world. That is why we need a Savior. Why don't we all stop picking at God and just speak directly to our badly behaving neighbors. Even all of us Christians. or other faith based groups. I know that without the HOPE of change in my own life .... all is lost.

You've gone over the edge...
I believe that although the authors of our Constitution were fighting against tyranny and oppression, they still believed in the power of God and the absolute need to let God lead them. They NEVER said that they desired a country that was based on a Godless society. On the contrary, they believed the desire for most men and women to practice whatever religion they chose and recognized the importance for people to have God in their lives. Just because the word "God" is used, it doesn't mean, "Christian" or "Jewish" or "Muslim" or "Buddhist" or "Taoist" or "Hindu". ONE GOD, many names.

DO NOT CONFUSE "FAITH" WITH RELIGION

Just because the word "God" is used, it doesn't mean, "Christian" or "Jewish" or "Muslim" or "Buddhist" or "Taoist" or "Hindu". ONE GOD, many names.

Just FYI: Buddhism is, at best, an atheistic religion, and Taoism is a non-spiritual philosophy.

As our country has continued to move futher and further from the biblical principles it was founded on, it has gotten worse and worse in many ways. Just look at the statistics for problems like teenage pregnancy, incarceration, high school drop-out, drug abuse, etc...If you look at the percentage prior to prayer being taken out of the schools it was much much lower than after it was taken out of school. I think people like to contort and twist the true meaning of our constitutional rights. They take issues out of context and actually make them go against what our founding father's intended.
I don't care what anyone says but the reason why the United States has been the best place to live in the world for many years is because God's hand has been on this country. Now that so many are rejecting God and his moral principles his hand is moving away. This is allowing the enemy to come in and steal, kill and destroy our youth (future) and anything left.
God is a loving God but just like any father, if his children tell/show him how much they hate him and despise him long enough...he'll eventually go away and so will his protection--in moves America--the Third world country...

I think Odin says something similar, and offers something rather unpleasant if you don't obey.

Well... a lot of people today wouldn't find Odin's reward for obedience too cool either. I mean, lucky them - they die and get to go to war for Valhalla...

People need to review and study our history and understand what was meant by separation of church and state. Face it this country was built upon God.

They have eyes but cannot see, they have ears but cannot hear. History is once again repeating itself and we will pay as a Nation that no longer wants to seek God. It's not the money, or the statement but the hearts that have grown hard. Are we, as a nation completely amazed at our debt, our streets, our education system etc. etc.
I remember a leader of our country that once realized we were where we were because of God not because of our wisdom or strength. He called our nation to a time of fasting and prayer.
Who can see? Who can hear?
Search the heart.

What is wrong with trusting in God? He has a pretty good track record for following through on what He says, unlike anyone else we could put our trust in.

Because not all Americans trust in God. While perhaps some 9 in 10 Americans, that's still 30 million people who don't. Our motto should be reflective of the best parts of the American experience, which is that regardless of origin, anyone one can be American; anyone can strive for the American dream. That's why E Pluribus Unum is so brilliant as a motto.

He has a pretty good track record for following through on what He says, unlike anyone else we could put our trust in.

What track record is that, exactly? I mean, look around you, the world isn't shiny, happy, and made of Nerf, now is it. If you want to put your faith in that particular god - have at it. More power to you. Seriously. But what the hell does that have to do with money?

Anyone who honestly considers the documents forged by our founding fathers and objectively considers what they say without starting with a paradigm that they are trying to prove or make our founders support, can see clearly that this Great Nation (yes I said "Great Nation" Michelle Obama) was based on the principles and ethical/moral values found in the Holy Bible. Historians have attempted to re-write this and skeptics have attempted to validate their own position by sampling bits and pieces from various writings to prove that this founding father was atheistic or a deist or a polytheist and so on, but the fact is that Christian values, Christian principles, Christian documents are quoted, re-stated and were used to form the basic structure of our nation. There is not one source of information or supporting document that had a greater impact on the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, The Declaration of Independence or most of the other proclamations and historical documents than did the Holy Bible. Argue all you want and present all the erroneous data you wish, but the facts are there for any "honest" individual to see for themsleves. Historically the Bible was all they had. It was the first primer for reading. It was quoted, read and cited in nearly every meeting held to draft our nation's founding documents, as was a call to prayer to Almighty Jehovah God, not Allah, Budda, or any of the hundreds of other false Gods.
As to the the seperation of Church and State, the only real issue that was ever addressed in the founding documents was the determined effort to keep government out of the religious process. It was not to remove any mention of religion from public life. The fact is if you take that step, then you simply remove one belief system and replace it with another. You take Judeo-Christian beliefs away and replace them with naturalism secular humanism or some other ism which in itself is a religious belief. The removal of God from public is to not create a void, but to put something of lesser value that is sinister and evil in His natural place. To attempt to remove God would by default implant atheism in the vacuum created to explain our existing laws and their basis. The government should not ever dictate which religion any citizen must espouse. It has by proclamation and declaration which is then drafted into practicality within the constitiution assumed the responsibility to allow public and private freedom for anyone to practice his/her religion without repression and discrimination, just like this forum. IT IS CALLED "freedom of speech" and whether or not you feel religious freedom is granted publically, freedom of speech explicitally protected by our constitution. You believe in it or you would not be writing on this thread. I have every right to express my religious freedom of speech in any venue you feel you have the right to exclude it. Your religious belief whatever it is does not have precedence over mine, no matter where we stand in the USA.
For those of you who would dis-allow religious freedom publically in any format including on government property, let me remove your right to speech in the same venue, and in the same place. You will be screaming all the way to jail as they cart you off for protesting your rights. Just because you do not like the message, you do not have to castrate the messenger.
The issue of the "IN GOD WE TRUST" message on currency is one that seems to be insignificant, unless you have had enough. I for one feel that a few "self-righteous" atheistic bigots have pushed the rest of us too far. They want their religous freedom void of God, let them have it their way. April 1 is their holiday. "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God" (Proverbs) April FOOLS Day is their day. They want God out, then tear down the monuments in Washington D.C., tear down the Supreme Court where the idiot judges preside who have made such decisions as to remove God from public places. Their own building is filled with proclamations about God.
By the way, they do not remove God. They do not have the power to do so. They are silly powerless individuals who think they have such power. God is still there and he will always be heard above the drone of the fools who try to push him out and away to salve their deprave minds and justify their own Godless existance.

It is great to see free speech alive and well. We might all consider the term 'god'... such a term and the thousands of years that thousands of cultures have devoted to the evolution of its meaning is something bigger then us all. Be it true love of humanity, love for mother earth, belief in the unbelievable potential of humanity when its is truly focused on a common goal, etc. No one can refute the simple fact that all of humanity is better off today as a result of each of us believing in something larger then ourselves. Faith in what great things the future holds for us all if we can learn to get along and focus our efforts is a hope that is real and worth believing in. The one universal truth of the term 'god' is the belief in something beyond self... WE... is a large and powerful term full of hope and worth trusting in. We have an abstract economy totally dependent upon WE all having faith (confidence) in the value of the dollar. Without it.... WE all fall...

We must all be very careful in taking a very narrow view of the term 'god', it truly represents much much more then a judeo-christian perspective. More then 90% of the earth's population believes in something larger then themselves, something beyond death... I certainly am not wise enough to have the answers, but history and current figures on belief say something... besides trust in a term such as 'god' and all it represents over thousands of years has to be better then trusting the institutions that are currently failing to improve the value of the object holding the phase 'In god we trust'...

Respectfully/humbly submitted

MSNBC conducts survey with slanted questions:

"Should the motto 'In God We Trust' be removed from U.S. currency?"

"Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state."
40% ----------

"No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion."
60% --------------

ARGUMENTS
by Jé Goolsby

The historical significance of IN GOD WE TRUST is from religion, obviously the Christian church, since it is not IN GODDESSES WE TRUST, or IN GODS WE TRUST, IN BUDDHA WE TRUST, or WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

Patriotism is obedience to the Pater, the Father, the Supreme Commander, the Super Natural Creator and therefore establishes a State Religion. Religion is a contraction of rex's or rey's legions, the king's army, assembled and bonded by patriarchal legends to subordinate and control people.

Does MSNBC want a particular result? Why didn't it suggest the following, more honest response alternatives:

"Yes, it contradicts the U.S. Constitution and is illegal."
No Percent Given

"No. The motto is religious, the president is religious, many Americans are religious; therefore a state religion is already established."
No Percent Given

The term 'god' is without gender and the origin of the exact phrase is truly unimportant. It is certainly true that something is causing the current economic challenges and nothing is served by anyone stimulating further confusion and argument. The issue of whether we should or shouldn't have such a phrase on the dollar isn't as important as why such an argument is even occurring.... who are we supposed to trust in?? if not what the term 'god' represents in all its origins... there isn't any gold or other tangible value backing the dollar.... we better trust in something that includes the collective positive potential of human kind (that includes both matriarchal and patriarchal strengths). Balance is the key... both women and men have great strengths and when applied in balance the combination can achieve limitless potential.

Humbly submitted...

The United States was founded by christian principles. Yes! God and state were one. Thankfully our founding fathers had a bigger vision when establishing the constitution. Our currency, songs, anthems. How many mention God? It was put there for a reason.

Little by little, as the years have passed, God has been taken out of everything. If God isn't present, then what is? God is out of schools? Look at what's been happening in the schools lately. Are children really safe? Did that ever happen before? How's the crime? Any better?

Think of what your doing. Everything was better when we were growing up. Why? God was always there. The US wants God's blessing in everything, but you take Him out of everything. You can't have the best of both worlds.

Setting aside the religious argument for the moment, look at the capitalization used in the phrase as printed on our currency. "IN GOD WE TRUST" - Because every letter is capitalized (and I just checked several coins and bills to verify this), there is no way of knowing if this means the big-G God of the Christian religion, or the little-g god meaning anything else that claims divinity.

So many Americans have made money their god that it is self-evident that the currency itself is what they put their trust in. You may argue that this establishes a state religion (Money-ology?), but it wasn't Congress that established this religion, but the people themselves.

Leave it on the currency. If nothing else, it provides hours of entertaining debate. I know it was added in the 50's, but it now has half a century of track record. If it really does establish a religion, show me the name of the religion, the place of worship, or the 501c3 filing for the established religion.

I just have to say that it makes me angry all these people who are "offended" by anything that has God's name on it or by anyone talking about God. I just wanna say what about those people who are offended by taking God's name off of things? Do we not have a say in the matter? Do we matter so little just because we believe in God? Why should their opinions matter anymore than ours?

Look, don't you think there is a reason it was put on there to begin with? I'm sure when they put "in God we trust" on the dollar that it was for a reason. Now i'm not going to fight any theological battles. I'm just one Christian standing up for what I have been taught, what I have seen, and what I have heard. I'm sorry if "in God we trust" offends anybody, but does anybody really care what is on the dollar? We use a dollar for it's currency. Are you really gonna stop using 100$ bills or coins just because that is on there? That's kind of ridiculous if you ask me. I may be just a college student, but I'm old enough to have an opinion. All I know is, God's will and plans always and forever will come through. Nothing us humans can do can prevent what he is capable. I'm not forcing my religious beliefs on anybody, that's just where I stand.

Why bother? What for? No one pays any attention to it anyway. To Which God does it refer anyway?

Attention everyone!! This country as founded on Christian Principles. If for some reason you can not stand the statement "IN GOD WE TRUST" Then go away. Move to a country where you would be shot or arrested for questioning the government. You are all hypocrites who love using our freedoms to cause these stupid statements. USA Love it or Leave.

When are we going to stand up and shout that IT IS A VIOLATION OF OUR RIGHTS TO HAVE THIS REMOVED> I think that it's high time that we as Christians quit sitting idly by and speak our peace. I think that it's insane that Congress is even considering this. This world is a mess. Keep taking God out of everything and things are only going to get worse. Join me in standing up for keeping God in our presence!

Oh my heavens! I can't believe I'm actually sitting here at my computer reading comments by both educated and uneducated idiots!! Jesus, just please come out on those clouds and settle these arguments once and for all. Take Your people Home and the others will have to go to Hades. I can't wait to see the look on some of your faces WHEN, not if, this happens! Yea God!!

"Who is more irrational? A man who believes in a God he doesn't see, or a man who is offended by a God he doesn't believe in?"
-- Brad Stine, Christian Comedian

Unless you are a history revisionist, you know that our Founding Fathers believed that God's hand was involved in the work that they were doing to create the grand experiment called the United States of America. They put their trust in God that He would counsel and guide them in their quest to create a free nation that recognized and upheld each citizen's unalienable, God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, among others.

They truly believed in the free exercise of one's religion, even in the public square, and even while serving in the government. References to God and other Biblical references are found in many of speeches they gave, in many of their writings, and in many of the monuments and buildings they built. They saw nothing wrong with, and in fact, considered it good governance to set aside places and times for prayer.

They truly believed that this experiment they were setting in motion would not succeed, and in fact would fail miserably, if God's guidance and blessings were not sought by the leaders of the nation. They knew that the government they were creating could not succeed unless the elected leaders were moral, God-fearing people. This is clearly stated in the Federalist Papers.

They knew that they could not succeed in throwing off the shackles of involuntary servitude to England and the King without God's intercession. They knew that they could not establish this free nation without God's guidance and blessings. As men of the Enlightenment, they had studied the great philosophers and historians. They studied and quoted the Bible. They knew the history of Roman and Grecian Empires. They knew that the dark side of human nature tended toward either anarchy or tyranny. They had already experienced tyranny at the hands of the King of England. They knew that anarchy reigned in the last days of Rome and Greece.

They trusted in God to guide them to do the right things to create this new nation. They trusted in God to bless their efforts to create a nation founded on the idea that all men are created equal by God. In my view, it is because they and the majority of the citizens believed and trusted in God, that this country became the wealthiest and most powerful in the world as quickly as it did. It is not the establishment of a religion to recognize and memorialize the indisputable fact that our Founding Fathers did trust in God as they set about creating the greatest country that has ever existed in the history of man.

Should the motto "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. currency?

* 4394360 responses

Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.33%

No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion. 67% .........67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%67%

No need to argue the current results say it all! AMEN! :)

We used to think a democracy was a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, in which the majority opinion ruled. This is no longer the case--now the few dissidents that are so blatantly outspoken seem to hold the power of moving our lawmakers to tear down all the old landmarks that are part of our identity as a nation. If the words "In God we trust" had never been placed on our currency, it would not be an issue. But now that it has been there and has been accepted for all these years, to remove it would be a denial of God's providence and could be discerned as an open denial of God Himself. In my opinion, this would be a major disaster, for it is plain to see what is happening in other countries whose governments are athiestic in design. Religions of all sorts are being persecuted, especially Christians, with a single purpose of wiping out any semblance of belief in God.

God has blessed this country abundantly and has enabled this country to bless many other countries--even those who were once our enemies. Germany and Japan have become great nations because of our help. Right now, we are doing more to help the impoverished and persecuted people in Africa than any other nation in the world. Do you want to risk going in the direction of the communist/socialist governments? This nation is headed that way if the "we, the people" don't wake up and smell the coffee! It has been said that all it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing! Let your voice be heard where it counts!

leave it the way it has been all these years if those of u who dont believe in God then dont pay attention to it....im so annoyed with all this stuff ...we can have gay marriages ...but we want to remove from "in God we trust" from our money...we can have united negro foundation or college whatever ...but OMG if we had white college wed be racisit...which i am not and i am fine with that but ...let everyone have their things....we should all love and respect each other .....and I do believe in God and i want that on our money....its historical...if u decide what God u want it to be that is up to u but seriously is this really that huge of an issue compared to everything else going on in this world ...come on lets focus on something important for cryin out loud.....all this stuff going on just leads me to feel more and more that the Bible is right and this is all signs of the time ......soon jesus will come and then who cares whats on your money then huh!

I agree with Missy's comment concerning this issue. It is insane to remove In God we trust. Why would you want to? It is our history and we were born into a Christian nation. It is insulting that you would even consider taking away such a rich history from our children. We have enough problems without removing the few pieces of that history left. Yes we are all immigrants (at least we came from every where) but the one thing that kept our nation strong was the Christian faith. As we are a melting pot, the In God We Trust doesn't necessarily refer to the Christian faith anymore, most religions have a god. It keeps us humble in the fact that our leaders and our nation still refer to a greater power that 90% of America believe in...regardless of the religion or god they worship. I think it is stupid that people actually think this is something that should be removed... we already have changed so much in our ways of thinking or I should say in the way our government runs things. Everyone is corrupt and you cant trust a thing anyone says. We have the right to vote but it doesn't even make that much of a difference as the electives are the ones that choose who our presidents are going to be. Our presidents can promise things all they want to but can't actually do anything unless everyone backs it up. It is a crazy world. Lets Keep the say in god we trust because most of us.. have to trust someone as we can't trust the government.

Unless I've been mistaken, the law was created to protect the Church from the State - not the State from the Church.

If these people are so against "In god We Trust" why don't they move someplace like Iran where they don't have religious freedom.
I can assure you they will never see "In Go We Trust" again.

What Pappyopa says is fact. It goes much deeper though! Consider that people are arrested and fired for hate speech! Is that not a violation of the FIRST AMENDMENT?
Congessmen are all over TV and radio yet the first article states that no congressman is to be questioned outside once Congress is in session! Where in the constitution does it say that both the Senate and the House can be run by Committee? Did the Founding Fathers ever dream that Congress would ignore the rules of Parliamentary procedure? Does the House and Senate meet every day with a "QUORUM" to conduct business? Does the VP ever preside over the Senate as the Constitution demands? State Legislators were given the job of selecting their Senators by the men of 1787 but in 1913 the "politicians" AMENDED the constitution allowing Senators to be popularly elected! That same year they "amended" Art I by allowing INCOME TAX in complete violation of the "NO CAPITATION" clause. Not to mention the mandate of tax collection by enumeration! John Marshall's assenting opinion in the Marbury vs Madison notwithstanding!! "No law can be made that is repugnant to the Constitution". John Marshall would be appalled to discover that not only is his decsion in that case being ignored regarding the election of Senators, he would be sickened to see that McCain and Obama are CHOOSING their VP running mate in complete violation of the entire ARTICLE II and AMENDMENT XII!! If the President, for whatever reason is removed from office, his succesor is his personal choice and then our President was put in place by one indvidual! How, in the name of sanity is that "Government by the People???
The American people are too far removed from Federal Government to responsibly choose an individual capable of running the Country and The Men of 1787 completely understood that!! That is why they created the electoral college, the methods of which are eloquently described in Art. 2 and Amend. 12. Pennsylvania has a law on the books since 1937 that allows the candidate of his party to select the Electors to the Electoral College, in another act that flys in the face of Article II !! The fox guarding the henhouse!
Is it any wonder, in light of above examples then, that the Congress are in fact CRIMINALS who have been continually violating the Constitution since 1828 with the popular election of Andrew Jackson, would give a "Tinkers Damn" whether God's name is on our money!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not going back to see all these posts, but I would like to say one thing.

I think American needs to remember why this country was founded!!! We need to learn from our history on why we began and so many gave there lives to be free from England and then continue to die throughout so many wars for the freedom of this country, which includes freedom of religion beginning with the Christian heritage.
We also need to learn from out mistakes and treat each other with kindness and dignity no matter our economics level or race!

It is interesting how people come to America A Nation theat is founded on Christian principles and then they complane about what happens here in a GOD fearing Nation. Juat a short time ago NBC did a similar poll and 14% wanted to take the word God out that means 86% wanted to keep God as part of our Chuntry.
I talke to God every day and I feel I have an answere for those who clame to be athest. MOVE TO CHINA!!!! they believe like you do. I know that my beliefs come from a Book that you call archaic but that Book is going to be what all mankind Will be judged out of one day soon!!! In that same Book people like yourself are called fools for thinking there is no GOD. I do believe you are inteligent and I will and am praying for you to see the truth. PJ

Wow! The comments I have read. Though many have the right to feel the way they do, GOD shall not be mocked! Look at all who have mocked HIM and look how quickly they died. Some may believe what they want, but when it is all said and done and when your life is over, you will meet GOD and eventually you will meet SATAN. And at that time it will be too late for you.

Atheists may feel confident and proud here on earth, but there is another realm bigger than they in which in due time, YOU will come to know.

Atheists claim to want all this attention and all this power. Well, don't take our nation down with you. Our country was built on certain morals that in reality are not hurting anyone, but rather blessing us as a nation. So, if anyone is not happy, how about moving to a country (or moving back to your own country) less fortunate and where the environment is not so friendly and free - you just might be happier there.

Just remember, you too will die one day, I just pray you are ready and pray that God saves you in time to have Satan loosen his talons over you.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

My question is, Why would anyone ever even question having "In God We Trust" on our coins? That's just the simple truth for most of us, and it is certainly our heritage and what our country was founded on! If they don't like it they are free to either stay or go, but arguing over it just seems worthless and a waste of time since it is totally who we are. If it upsets anyone so badly, there are other countries where they may be happier.

Ok... I'm all for people's rights, HOWEVER... this country is founded on the belief in God, hence; IN GOD WE TRUST. If you don't like it, go to another country that has your own values. Don't force your beliefs on me. When are the Christians going to stand up and scream that THEIR rights are being violated? I live in a mainly Christian nation... that's how it started and how our forefathers wanted it! Quit trying to change this nation! If you don't like it... go somewhere people think like you! If i belonged to an organization and didn't believe what they were saying, I wouldn't scream to have their mission changed to fit my beliefs, I'd join another organization. If you don't like how this club is run... FIND ANOTHER ONE!! :-)
God Bless You!

I vote for the atheist not handling money if it offends them.

I vote for the atheist not handling the money if it offends them.

I am shocked that this would be seriously considered by any AMERICAN. Should we revoke the Constitution or the disavow the Declaration of Independence because they mention GOD???? Because people in this country ascribe to the belief that God intended people to be free and to be free to voice their own opinion, this fool can speak out and be protected and not jailed. Certainly. But the historical and real significance of attributing such basic rights to the sheer existence of people was huge! You are free not to trust in God. But this country was founded by people to whom we owe allegiance, gratitude, and the recognition of all those lives of people who have fought to keep these rights ours.
Move to some place where they don't ascribe to God if you don't like it! Most people in this country still hold these truths to be real, absolute and important!

Kudos to pappyopa. I wonder what peopl nowadays thinks constitutes an american? Does living in this country make you an american? If so then hanging out in your garage should make you a car. It so undeniably easy to see in our history how this country was estabished and to what end. Quite simply let me say this: If you don't believe in God, you cannot be an American. What most liberals today call freedom I call rebelliousness. I watch throughout my day as people don't stop at stop signs, don't use turn signals. let there dogs run free in public places where the signs say clearly that pets must be leashed. For me I'm tired of the wimps out there who don't have any backbone. It doesn't take backbone to rebel, it takes backbone to submit. "Nobody's gonna tell me what to do" is the cry of a brat. Brats need spanking, and quite obviously never got it. Liberals living in america are like peopl who join a chess club and then refuse to play (nobody's going to tell me what to do). There are, in truth many nations who have the same sentiments as liberals do. If these ideals are so appealing, no God, no right and wrong, why not simply move somewhere where your tue values are embraced? To all you free thinkers who think I'm narrow-minded... you couldn't be more right!

This political bull has gone too far!!! Leave the money alone! Why does "everything" need to be changed? Because YOUR offended? Excuse me.......!!!

Someone please tell me WHY the minority getting the voice anymore? I say if you don't like what America is about...GET OUT!!! LEAVE!! Go to another country or back to your own! It's plain...it's simple.

I wish people would stop "infringing" on "my" right to believe in Christmas, God, and anything else. You have the right to believe what you want. Stop infringing on what has been for years.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
IN GOD WE TRUST!

All I have to say is "AMEN"!

I AGREE!!!
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP??? After all, we have to respect their prerogatives, why can they not respect the majority's prerogative? Are we a democracy or not?

How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?

Like another person commented if you don't like it go back to where you came from! Don't come to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and corrupt us! We don't come to your country and try to change the way you and your children live or your beliefs. Actually if we don't follow their beliefs we would probably be killed! THE USA puts up with too much crap from people that aren't even Americans! Get a back bone AMERICA!

Just today I stood on the floor of the house of Reps. Interesting that in all the frescoes of great world leaders on the wall in that room, the only one that has a full face view ( not a profile) is MOSES. I believe he was in the Bible, and if our forefathers thought it imperative to add his face among all those other world leaders, they probably would not be offended by the Pledge of Allegiance or our currency having "under God" in or on them...

Every night the nympho goes to bed she says, "A(h)MEN!".

IT IS BAD THAT THE WORLD HAS LET PEOPLE LIKE THIS TAKE GOD OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS I HAVE ONE QUESTION WHEN MY LORD COMES WHERE WILL YOU GO TO HEAVEN OR HELL THERE IS ONLY 2 PLACES THAT YOU WILL GO

Yell Yell Yell that's all you right wing fundamentalist wack-jobs do is yell.

To the point: as a catholic, there is another "place" one might go...it's called purgatory. For a Hindu, right back here, baby. For an atheist, *poof*, that's it.

I'm glad the notion of a christian god is out of our schools- it was a disgraceful and shameful corruption in the first place.

Now to get that ridiculous phrase off of our money. Yes, NOW!

First of all let's forget our own personal beliefs and religions and deal with the issue on a broad surface. "In God We Trust" is part of our legal currency but even more a part of our history. If our history as a nation offends some people I will not apologize for that. If I go to Afghanistan I have to accept, whether i agree with it or not, that it is a Muslim nation ruled by Muslim principles. If people are so ignorant to believe that they can alter history so they don't feel offended than what kind of morals does this country have left? I think most would agree that what happened to the Jews in WWII was offensive and terrible but do we don't ignore it! It happened! If you simply erase history for people than why should we teach history in schools? How much is lies already? Are we learning facts or opinions when we read history books? For those who don't believe in God I ask "why are you so offended by one statement in which you don't believe?" "Separation of Church and State" was designed to keep the government from becoming involved in the church not to keep the church from being public. The pilgrims came to the New World in search of religious freedom because of the oppression of the Roman Catholic Church of that time. Our forefathers wanted to avoid that happening here at all cost. It was never intended to remove God from everyday life. You're free as Americans to have and voice your opinions but to alter history is going to far. "IN GOD WE TRUST"

I am hearing more and more about deleting such phrases as "...One Nation Under God...." and ".....In God We Trust......" from or very historical documents and pledges.

First of all, lets get clear; We are about freedom "of" religion, NOT freedom "from" religion. No one is requiring you to say the pledge of allegiance and no one is asking you to read what is written on our money, nor is anyone insisting that you handle our money. These are all your choices. But do not take away my choice to reflect on what is important to me when I say the pledge of allegiance or spend my hard earned money.

Anyone who has the time to continually "pick" at our history with the intention of destroying the values which are a part of all our lives needs to examine their priorities and GET A LIFE. Stop trying to take away the historical values that so many of us cherrish.

The following is the 2007 winning entry from an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term. This year's term was Political Correctness. The winner wrote:

'Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.'

Never destroy a reminder of God.
Beside disrespectfulness,
it's just sad.
Come on, surely we can stand to remember the guy who created us...

I received an invitation to vote on this issue with the plea to "Please send this to every Christian you know so they can vote on this important subject."

Christians have an exclusive on God?

This kind of thinking is why the world is at war.

"We are all One" is the only way to Peace.

I propose "We Are All One" to replace "In God We Trust" as it is all-inclusive, less prone to incendiary interpretations, and follows fully the religious freedom concept upon which this country was founded.

I agree with the author. Where on Earth does it day "Separation of Church and State?" Conservatives read the Constitution for what it says and the Libs (commies) read it for what they wish it to say.

One need not look any further than within to determine good from evil. I personally do not rely on our government to stir my belief in God. Still, I am not repulsed by these considerate accolades, either. In fact, I welcome them for their honorable intentions in an increasingly uncivilized culture that is eroding before us. I wish as much force that is being driven to eliminate "In God We Trust" went into extinguishing evil and reaching out to human need. Eradicating "In God We Trust" is a form of denial and a fact of life with many of whom we come into contact. To strike this dictum seems to be a symptom of a few, who fail to appreciate all God has given to humankind. When we omit "God" from our Great Nation, I believe it casts us into isolated oblivion, which seems to be where we are headed when we think we are exclusively in control.

This is America and I am sick and tired of people of other religions and beliefs coming over here and telling us we have to do things because they don't believe in what we believe in. That motto has been on our currency forever and it has historical meaning. We as Christians have the right to believe in our God and also have the right to promote it. This is what our founding fathers wanted and this is what we should want. This is what America is all about. We don't go over to other countries to live and demand them to believe in what we believe in so why is it right for others to come to America and tell us fellow Americans how and what we are allowed and not allowed to do. If they don't like what America has to offer and they don't like what we do or believe in then they don't have to be here. This is America and this is our history why take it all away. We already can't talk about religion in our schools and they have already demanded the Supreme Court to take the 10 commandments plaque off the walls and now they want to demand to have our motto taken off of our money. No wonder our world is falling apart!

Why do we have to have a discussion regarding whether God should be recognized on our money? It is better to have Him on there than not.....where God is honored, He honors us. I suggest since we've thrown Him out of our schools and many areas of our government, things have gone from bad to worse. The majority of Americans believe in a Supreme Being Who knows all and sees all. Why are we allowing those who portend to be wiser than we, but whose minds are so closed to the Spirit that rules all, even if we cannot see Him. Can we see electricity, the thoughts that run through people's minds, yet these exist. Who would challenge this? The problem is mankind has become so arrogant it cannot see the obvious.

Congratulations Americans! Our forefathers built us a nation in which we have freedom and liberty more than they imagined. And what do we do with that freedom? We try to undo what has been built for us by using our (in my personal opinion) overly abundant spare time to think up way to change our country for pointless issues. For one, would yanking that comment benefit the entire American population? No, the only people worried about it are a select few, and honestly. Do you expect me to believe you are seriously oppressed by this comments presence in our currency? I have not seen anyone try to amend the Pledge of Allegiance taught to our children which mentions God. GROW UP! I cannot believe I serve my country faithfully while those whose freedoms I defend complain about such trivial matters. GET OUR POOR AND HOMELESS FED AND HOUSED, GET OUR NATIONAL EDUCATION RATING UP ABOVE IT"S PIT OF DISPAIR LEVEL. GIVE ME A GREAT NATION TO COME HOME TO AFTER FIGHTING INSTEAD OF POINTLESS RETORIC!!

the Bible is NOT stupid and the people that chose to follow the Bible are not stupid!!! The Bible teaches morals and values and if the whole world followed the Bible, there would be nothing but good! obviously you have not read the Bible or you would not make such ignorant remarks. the Bible may be old but age doesn't amke something foolish or wrong. what is wrong with NOT killing or stealing or lieing or anything else the Bible tells us NOT to do?.........NOTHING! it is GOOD to NOT kill, steal, lie, etc....... seriousl, read the entire Bible with an open mind and you will be suprised at how much the Bible is filled with good! JESUS LOVES YOU even though you deny him. Why do humans make things so hard and difficult? the Bible is layed out for us to make thigs good and easy and yet people fight against it......makes no since!!!!

Atheists are the minority. In our democracy the majority rules. Why should we therefore have to bow to a minority thought when, in the end, no one is being harmed. If an atheist doesn't like "In God We Trust" on our currency then don't read it. If I see something on TV that I don't like I turn the channel, etc. Grow up. There are lots of things in society that I don't agree with but I see no need to force my views on others.

Am so glad to hear that someone has the same question as me - please show me the
law that congress passed that is in violation of the constitution!!

Hey I have an idea! How about we feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, protect the defenseless, oh, and wave to our neighbors on the way to work tomorrow morning! "In God We Trust" is a fundamental tenet upon which this wonderful country was based. A country that grants you more freedom than any other in the world. We're a young country compared to most, yet at just over 200 years old we have addressed and ridden ourselves (for a large part) of the type of bigotry and prejudice that holds other, older countries hostage. In our great country, no one is being labeled socially unacceptable for carrying a dollar bill in their pocket, or being persecuted for it, or dying because of it. It sounds however as if a very small faction of "Americans" have taken their own civil liberties for granted, and for the lack of having something to complain about, have now latched on to our poor old dollar bill.
You know, if I go to the store and buy a brand of toothpaste and don't like the flavor - I stop using it. If some of you are so offended that the bank account you hold is filled with dollar bills that have "In God We Trust" printed on them - stop using them. Or better yet, give them away - to the millions of impoverished people in this country who would put it to good use.

This debate is skewed. Atheism is a system of beliefs; in other words, it is a religion. Nowhere does the Constitution say that atheism trumps all other systems of belief. The Constitution does not provide that athiests cannot practice their system of beliefs, nor does it permit followers of atheistim to impose their views on others.

There are far more important issues in our society than worrying about the words and images on coins.

This country WAS founded and has been run by CHRISTIANS throughout the centuries. If we had kept politics and religion separated there wouldn't be such issues now. It's only when you start mixing the two that all of a sudden everyone wants to put their two cents in. I truly believe that people that claim to be atheists only stake their claim because somewhere throughout their family tree there was a family tragedy and they had to blame someone for it. Well God always seems to take the blame. "If there was a God, then why did He let this happen?!" Tell me, who do you blame when your life goes terribly wrong now?? You can't blame God, because to you He doesn't exist. Who is this God that you damn everytime you get angry and yell out those horrible words?? Who do you look to for guidance when you feel you have noone left to turn to?? Believe it or not, Atheists of the world... there is a God, and He gave His Son named Jesus FOR YOU. Are you worth dying for?... One thought so!! Now if you cannot put your trust in Him, then you're completely hopeless. You put your trust in yourselves to earn that ol' american dollar, it didn't offend you way back when you were chasing down the ice cream truck that it had "In God We Trust" on it. I bet you were thrilled to see those dollars the first time you cashed in your first paycheck from your very first job. Now all of a sudden you're offended by this?! What? You had a boring day and decided to read your money and became offended by it. Well stop earning it and you won't have to look at it again. This nation was founded for our freedom of religion, you worship your way, I'll worship mine, but because the majority of us believe in God... well, majority rules. We, as a nation, should be proud to advertise that we have trust in our Lord and Savior. It's not our fault that you choose to not have faith. There is truly no arguement here. If you want to waste tax payers $$, feel free to, but don't ask any of us to back you up on this. You will eventually meet your maker, How are you going to justify yourself to Him. I'll tell you this, the minute we completely turn our backs on God is when He will no longer protect this nation... then who's going to help us?? We will then be one nation WITHOUT God, instead of under God. And you're pushing it...Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinion. Prov. 18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgement. Prov.18:7 A fools mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. You might want to pick your battles wisely, because it's going to be a fight... and God will prevail.

so i think that in God we trust should stay
cuz God is great and that is the best reason
and he should get more than just 4 words to show how great he is
i mean evolution gets to be teached in schools
and all the non-christians are complaining about 4 words

What I don't understand about people complaining about "In God We Trust"; is the fact that God is not named. So If I am an atheist and I don't believe in a God bigger than myself shouldn't't I read the motto as "In God (meaning me) we (I) trust?

After all if I believe that I am god, don't I trust in myself?

Just a thought!

I came from Eastern Europe, were comminism did what You are talking about!!!
One of the first things were to : close all churches , imprisone top priests, forbid teaching about faith and GOD. I just dont understand, why Government is talking about. Why God bother those, who dont believe. Because they dont believe???
What is wrong beying Catolic,protestant,muslim???One GOd for ALL, who believe. For me, is just unesesery to even start this discution. Everyone is freee to pray, and believe or not!!!
It is something that anemies of religion and God, are affraid of something??? I am cathilic, I am not a church goer, but I believe and absolutely Is better then any medicine. Help most of US, to pray and believe. Beying religios fanatic is diffrent story. What is going on in this Country remines me communism, and this is not good at all!!!
Some Gods hater just dont understand, that it is not about them, but about all of US. So , live God alone, and enjoy You anfaithful life. Is GOD their anemy???

If we take God's name out, we will be saying that," we do not believe in God." It is in the best enterest to keep God's name, due to the fact that a "famine" will be against the United States(America). We can not let this happen!!! Those who do not believe in our Creator, SHAME ON THEM!!!! Leave God with the hearts who believe in Him. We need to keep Our God at the top of everything we do....no matter what!

Hallellujah, according to the vote God is still in control and will always be. He is omnipotent, omnipresent. Wherever we go, God is and when I REALLY started to believe that, life got so much better, starting with ME.

In God We Trust has been our Motto since 1956, why do we need to change it now?

Pappyopa I just wanted to say the you hit it right on the nail, we should remove them all and start over. Also you should use this as a running campaign for the supreme court, the house, etc. Well God bless to you and also ever feel like you are the only one out there that believe the same way believe me we are there, I just wish that more of us would step up to the plate and start being a part of our government like we should be as Christians. Take care.

Thanks for the info. Great insight you've provided.
Did you also know that each state acceptance/ratification of the constitution ALL acknowledge "God" or a "supreme being" in the intro? This is how our contry was founded and I say, leave it alone. We need to focus on helping starving children and homeless people and health care, etc., etc., etc.

I just wanted to say that I agree with Owen, Pappyopa you did hit it on the nail. I can't believe the nerve of this Newdow guy. He is so worried about his constitutional rights, but does not care whether or not he steps on someone else's. Christianity and religion seem to be a part of a lot of things going on today. I don't consider myself part of a set religion, but i do believe and have faith in God. And i do believe that this Mr.Newdow has been able to spend this unconstitutional endorsement of religion(money as referred to by Newdow)
for all these years, and it has not mattered to him so why now. It still spends like it did when he earned his first unconstitutional endorsement of religion. What did he just decide one day when he woke up to be an atheist and start trying to tare down everything our country was built and stands on. Who needs terrorists when we have people in our own country that want to tare it apart.

In God We Trust has been our official motto since 1956. Why change it now?

I think we should just tell the atheists to all go to hell. That's where they are going anyway.

Nice Susie, real open minded and accepting. I can't wait for you to see what the otherside is really like, just know, many of us will be there to laugh in your face. Continue to follow a self condraticing book that has no bases in logic or reality. Don't think, just follow, don't think, just follow.

You are so correct. The United States is a VERY SUE HAPPY country. If you can sue over "HOT" coffee from McDonald's, which coffee should be hot or because some fat A** ate at Burger King everyday of his sad life where is this country going to be when our children grow up. Our forefathers should be turning over in their graves. And if the Atheists are not happy living in this country under "IN GOD WE TRUST" GET OUT!!!! I am truly getting tired of how the children cannot say the pledge anymore because of GOD in a phrase or two nor do they have to put their hand over their heart. People get real here. If you don't believe in GOD that is your right because you live in a country where freedom of speech is a right but don't try and change anything for the people who believe in GOD and what this country stands for.

I am so tried of everyone trying to make everything the way they want it and never stopping to think of where it has gotten our country by taking God out of everything! First of all we let one person go to court and take prayer out of our schools and look where that has gotten us! Just yesterday in Knoxville, TN there was a shooting in a high where a 16 year old killed a 15 year old! Where does it end when our kids can no longer go to school to get the education they should because they are afraid of not coming home! Then we take the 10 commandments out of the court house and say that is okay because we don't live by them any way so lets make 1000's of other laws when we can't even keep the first ten that where ever given! Now lets take "In God we trust" off of our money because lets just face it as a country it is no longer a true statement! Even though this country was founded on God! Our four fathers came here to get away from England and the queen telling them they could not honor God the way they wanted to and now we are right back where we where before they ever left England! Once we take God out of everything and we turn this country into another England than God will remove the Hand of protection that He has placed on America and let us have things just the way we want them! He (God) that is will give us just what we want ourselves and all the junk that goes with us! We are such a spoiled nation that we can't see the dawn before the down fall! In other words we think that we are the best and no on or nothing can touch us! People of shown that by the fact that they have so quickly forgotten about 9/11 and what that day cost us! Where people that day calling on themselves and other people when the towers where falling to the ground! NO! I heard more people that day and in the many days that followed calling on God for help! And now they don't want anything to do with HIM again! It is like you can put Him in a box and only call on Him when you are in need of something from Him, other than that you don't need or want anything from Him! Let me tell you all something if it where not for GOD you would not be breathing right now! Think about it! Your next breath depends on weather He says you breath or you die! I know some of you don't believe that but one day you will when no doctor or anyone else can keep you alive! And you will stand before a HOLY GOD and you will bow your knee before Him and confess Him as God! So, go ahead and continue to take Him out of everything and He will give you over to yourselves to see just how good you can do it without Him! But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord our GOD!

Please tell me who thinks this is a good idea? Hasn't Congress taken away enough of our rights? Petty soon America will be a totalitarian state where Government runs what you do, who you do it with and we the punishment will be harsh if we don't conform. Look around you people! Our society has diminished into acceptable evil.

I am 50 but I remember when there was no school killings, no violent shows, video games or X-rated material available in stores for adults and certainly not children's eyes. I also remember when my father took me to see Adam and Eve on the big drive-in screen and I thought that was wonderful. We all know that our reality is long departed from this perfect Leave it to Beaver existence. I now have an alarm on my door for fear of a break in by criminals that our system can't keep in jail now. No God means no discipline, no rules, and even the law can't police these issues properly. I know I don't want to live without an higher authority to listen too. It keeps me humble and others like me and may give criminals pause before doing a random act. The day is coming ladies and gentlemen where no one will have any higher authority to listen to and therefore no compunction about killing or doing criminal/violent acts. We better consider these consequences before every one we know is a victim and no one cares if they are! Taking "In God We Trust" out of the constitution is just the 1st step! Besides the fact, Is nothing sacred?

I challenge anyone to show me where in the Constitution of the United States of America the words "There shall be a separation of Church and State" are written.

The only reference to these words can be found in a letter from a group of Quakers living in Great Britain written to Thomas Jefferson asking if they would be persecuted in the United States as they were in Great Britain because of the laws passed by Henry VIII declaring the Church of England the official church of the land and making any other religion illegal.

Thomas Jefferson's reply was that he assured them that was not the case in the United States because the government has no authority to pass laws concerning religions and there was a separation of church and state. Everyone has the freedom to practice any religion they choose.

I believe it was Alexander Hamilton who said "The problem with freedom of speech is that often you are defending idiots".

...I don't understand why so many people make so many things so complicated. The damn dollar bills will cost the government so much more money to change (first of all).
I never cared that my curency said anything about god, I have my issues with god, don't know that I like him nor if I even believe. But I was raised saying the pledge of alegiance, I was raised to follow rules. Everyone wants to spew their inane bull as loud and as pestiferous as they can manage to be. People need to live and let live. There is so much mor in the world to worry about - for instance, why don't you guys rant incessantly about the government allowing american business to do their business everywhere else BUT america. This, makes america weak, jobless and well, the list could go on ad infanitum. How about changing target and other clothing chains from selling revealing miniskirts and slutty clothes to children under 10. How about worrying about children who live in the system because no one will adopt them. To me, all God is sometimes is a word on my money, and that is fine. If it makes others happy, great, if it saves taxpayers money, great. Things were simpler in the 50's and worse. Everyone kvetches about everything. shut up and live your live and try and make your world a better place instead of spewing nonsensical jibberish. I am too tired for this nonsence. i am going to bed.

Agree!!!
There is no law or reference in the constitution stating a "separation of church and state". What is says is that the government can not create a state religion and force people to adopt it. "The phrase separation of church and state is generally traced to a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists, in which he referred to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state. The phrase was then quoted by the United States Supreme Court first in 1878, and then in a series of cases starting in 1947."

Since when is a letter written 150 years earlier suddenly treated as a law? See the Supreme Court can rule on laws that don't even exist.

BTW: Thomas Jefferson was not a signatorie of the US Constitution.

LISTEN UP ALL YOU CHRISTIANS Reference post 1.6

I have received several emails and comments (insults) on my page saying/asking what I have against the bible. I admit I was confused why I was getting these. I asked these people to tell me what I wrote to give them that opinion. So far NOTHING. I think it is post 1.6.

LISTEN!!!! When you see something in quotes that means SOMEONE ELSE said it. When a post starts out with a name (ex. a patriotic american) it means I am answering someone else. Maybe if you looked at the post above mine from WAIT FOR IT!!!!!! Guess!!!! DRUM ROLL!!! a patriotic american ah ha. How about you open up the collapsed thread and READ IT instead of thinking I wrote it.

BTW. I have nothing against the bible and if those who wrote some of the things to me are an example of your Christianity it certainly is not an example of mine.

The wall between church and state was not mentioned IN THOSE WORDS in the constitution. It is a phrase that is used to easily explain the intent of the wording that IS used.

Government shall make no law respecting religion! McCarthyism resulted in a law which mandated government to endorse religion by imprinting the belief in god on currency.

Clearly a law. The law clearly relates to religion.

Since government can make no law respecting religion... this law was clearly unconstitutional.

The courts did not make up their own laws. They interpreted the constitution. They used Jefferson's "wall" phrase to help explain their interpretation. People who don't understand something this simple are either stupid... or playing stupid.

One of the news anchors got it right a few days ago when he commented that the current generation has received a nickname......

......The Faithless Generation.

Sad.

I am glad to see that almost 80% of those in the poll aren't narrow-minded enough to think that "In God We Trust" is an example of some kind of state sponsored religion.

As for the other 20-some-odd%.....China has a law that FORBIDS reliion unless it IS state sponsored....I'm sure you would be much happier there. I'll even chip in a few bucks for your plane ticket. Just don't ask to coem back though.....EVER!!

Most of us appreciate what we have here in the U.S.A., even if it doesn't conform exactly to how WE would want it to be.

You know if people spent half the time and energy on situations that REALLY have and effect on the quality of life, preservation of life and the the world that surrounds us we might actually have peace and contentment.

On a personal note: I AM a Christian and am getting very tired of how everyone is kicking God out of every where. People to want "in God we trust" on money, people don't want to say "One Nation under God", religious principles have long been the backbone of our societies regardless of Whom you believe in.

If you don't believe in God, Allah, Buddah that is your fate. But I ask you OPEN YOUR EYES!! Take a look around you, at the beaty that has been created for us. It didn't just appear! And then, take a look around us with kicking God out of everything. Getting a little rough eh? All of the death and corruption for no reason. Hmmm, who are you gonna trust? The Govertnment? Hell no, when you fall so hard the is only ONE to call on. And regardless of your feelings God will still be there.

What our Government has done is take what our Forfathers have created for a united country...a free country and take our laws out of context! If you actually read the Constitution...the whole thing! Our Forfathers...the great men that were the foundation of this great nation did not say anything about Church and State seperation! Over the years we've gotten people erasing and manipulating the Constitution for their own agendas and beliefs. A great many people are still FOR what this country originally stood for. What is so bad about that? People actually stood for something, right and wrong meant something! Now it's all how you use the system for your own agenda and who cares who we hurt and walk on or manipulate to get it. We use to be a lot more humane towards each other because we all BELIEVED in something! Now everything is taken out of context from what they rightfully are and where is the America in that?

Atheists say they don not believe in God. If They do not believe in him, WHY do they acknowlege him. They cannot disprove that the bible is false. Why does it bother them that other people believe in God, it is our right as americans to believe in whom or whatever we choose. By saying they don't believe in God, they are acknowledgeing him.

I cannot understand why everyone is so afraid of GOD. We have stood for hundreds of years as a respected nation using "In God We Trust" and only since a few loud mouths have came upon the scene have we had a problem and the problem is getting worse and not better. At some point, we have to realize that God is our protector and than under Him we are and will always be better off. I for one say "SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN" to those who do not want to live under GOD. This sort of reminds me of the witch hunts of yore. Just leave me alone and let me have my own beliefs and I will do the same for you.

I think if you don't like what is on the money don't use it and move to another country. If this is what keeps you up and worried at night then you people need to get a better life. God is a part of many of our lives and we try to live by the morals taught in the bible not taking it by word alone. If you choose not to believe I respect your right. NOW RESPECT MINE TO BELIEVE AND SHOW ME THE SAME RESPECT I HAVE SHOWN YOU. But there is no such law to make separation legal so there is nothing to really base this on. You don't like it tough!!

Our country was founded on freedom of religion and unfortunately the political leaders often forget that fact. in God We Trust belongs on our money since our political leaders have shown us time and time again that they CANT be trusted in their own personal and business dealings embarrassing us over and over on the world stage with their stupidity and lust. God appears to be the only source we can trust. I personally have been in awe of the crap President Bush has taken for his firm religious beliefs. If the In God We Trust was good enough for the folks who founded the country who are we to change it.

The Supreme Court, Congress and the Executive branches are given specific responsibilities in the Constitution. It is ONLY those responsibilities that the government branches have the power to address. When judges start taking on the responsibility of the Congress they are in violation of the Constitution. The Constitution gives RESPONSIBILITES, and the power to address those specific responsibilites follow. The Declaration of Independence gives the source of Freedom and Liberty. The Constitution only gives the road map of how to administer the assigned responsibilites. Any organization, person, etc. who tries to take to themselves the responsibility expressly assigned to another person or branch of government is in violaiton of the Constituion. The same goes for religious groups who form sanctuaries for illegal aliens. The church is in violation of the Constition when it tries to steal the responsibility expressly assigned to governmnt. The responsibility assigned to religious faith is outlined in the Declaration of INdependence and NOT in the Constitutionl. That is why the word GOD does not appear in the Constitution. In God We Trust is just an acknowledgment by government that faith is an American responsibility assigned to Faith Groups. There exists a separation of responsibilites and hence powers. Athiests try to take to themselves (and government) the responsibility expressed in the Declaration of Independence. They are dead wrong!!1

If anyone can answer these questions I'll be glad to place your name on our currency.
Describe the universe. Give 3 examples.
Explain the human thought process. Give 3 examples.
Explain human emotion. Again, provide 3 examples.

I guess I'm just a simpleton. I can live knowing in God we trust is on our coins and bills without getting wrapped around the axle. I could even live with in Gott we trust, or in Spock we trust.

I couldn't resist answering this... Will not be able to stay for long disscussion, however. I would suggest if the Doctor who started this , does not believe in anything having to do with God or Heaven.... Go straight to Hell and see if you can live and like it better there.

You all should be ashamed of yourselves... Seeing what this country has come to?? I would rather believe in something that isn't there then to lose out because I didn't believe!! I hope we have a God that we can trust to help us out of this nightmare that we call living in America.. Yes... I am proud to be an American, no.. I don't like the war, BUT... I trust in the people who are protecting our country every day BECAUSE God gave them the ability to do so.

I think we should Ask our Forefathers for Permission to do Anything to change that which they Originally set up, decided and put into action. OOPS! Since they are NOT here it should be a MOOT point Altogether. Get out and Vote, it is your right.

I think we should get Our Forefathers Permission before trying to change ANYTHING that they themselves decided, set forth and implemented. OOPS! They are Not here to discuss this AND THEY KNEW THEY WOULD NOT BE HERE: HENCE THE LAWS THAT ARE LAWS SHOULD STAY LAWS. We should Quit Making Laws that only: Benefit the few and not the masses, Grant favoritism to ANY MINORITY as we are All so watered down that it should just Be The SAME for All AMERICANS, For THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE HERE. Go out and Vote, it is your Right as an American. In God we trust.

Ok so I have some problems an I am unable to understand what is written above, but I know the jest of the situation and here is the way it is, more people than not in America believe in God, now note I said God not Jesus as not everyone believes in Jesus, yet there are many who believe in God, and this country was founded and brought to be by our God fearing ancestors. I feel strongly that due to our history and the fact that most people in this country do believe in God, we should keep "In God We Trust" on our money!

OK, Perhaps if everyone looked at this from a different perspective we would not even have anything to argue about. Our nation was built on primarily one brilliant idea....many voices with one song. Yes, there is a wonderful song written to that effect and it simply states that we have many voices in our nation, with one song...."if the melody is love, then everyone belongs....the difference is our harmony....but that's what makes us strong...many voices, ONE song!" That, my fellow Americans sums it up quite simply. The freedom our nation was built on is just that simple. Freedom to worship ANY GOD (even if that God is money, things, boss, whatever!) So, wouldn't it make sense to keep GOD in our governmental documents/currency realizing that it can mean different things to different people and keep the harmony in our song/nation?

Just a thought!

according to the latest MSNBC poll results 21% of americans need to move to iran

I wish All Americans would take the time to read the Constitution of the United States. or actually the writings of the founding fathers and find out how many of them were against the set up of a national Church like the Church of England and for this reason placed these items in our Constitution . No where in the constitution does it say to condemn the Church or that we should be a GODLESS people. It gives us Freedom to make a Choice Why is it I am called Intolerant when I speak up for the principles our nation was founded on but those who tout their atheistic beliefs are not considered intolerant.

When I cast my vote, it stated, 'the motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion.' Though these comments may be true and important to some, I feel it is more important to keep a higher power involved in society, especially with all the other swearing, violence, sexual innuendos, and drug references that Hollywood, Cable TV, and other influencial sources promote, which is perfectly acceptable by the FCC, etc. There are so many children now that are not even aware of there being a higher power. Yes, I feel it is important for all of us to respect that others may have different beliefs, different religions. I would not have a problem with schools adding Religion to their curiculum if & only IF they include information about all the religions of the students/student's parents in the class. Knowledge is power, and a good way to overcome bias.

Let us not forget that Obama gaffs and mis-speech actually exceeds George W Bush, but the liberal media won't report that. Remember the gaffe about 57 states? Well, it wasn't a gaffe, there are really 57 states, it is that there are 57 Islamic States, guess he DID learn something in Muslim school that stuck with him. Or could he be a Muslim but lies about it; can't be a Christian the way he bashes religion and the Bible.

if your life is not going as it should and nothing seems to be working out, call an athiest im sure he can help you get on the RIGHT track. (i'm sorry,its the LEFT track.no it's no track) something from nothing leaves nothing and thats what they believe,NOTHING.

Belief in God and establishment of a state religion of entirely different issues. Our country was colonized by God fearing people of faith who sought a place to grow their faith in the best way that they knew.
Congress sought to respect that tradition by not legislating a state religion like "The Church of England".

Our nation was founded on religous freedom. Why is everyone trying to take it away? The constitution says we are to be able to worship the way we choose. That includes Christians!!! Why do you think America has been so sucessful? It is "one nation under God, with liberty & justice for ALL." if we take God out of America we are headed for trouble that is sure to ruin all our freedoms that our forefathers fought so hard for.
Sincerely,
Kathy Miller
Texas

This is not an issue about God. It is an issue about altering coins and altering constitutions and altering the power structures that created such with a sweeping gesture that is lacking in any deep thought and fails to note the seriousness of doing so. The phrasehas historical significance and marks an important time in our country when such a statement was made and kept.
I believe it very dangerous when violations to privacy, changes to constitutions, limitations of rights, and issues such as the removal of of a long-held inscription asserting "In God We Trust" are being considered for removal with changes to legislation. After all, these days, in these political times, I say, I am happy to have God to trust in when those in power have proven so untrustworthy, divisive, and ultimately proven their character when removing and preventing the dissemination of personal freedoms and rights. www.drartbowler.com

These people that live here in the U.S. that have a problem with God and seeing his name on our currency need to go live in a country where they don't believe in the God of the Bible and see how "better off" their lives will be. This country was founded upon Godly principles and that's why this nation is the greatest ever. Sure, we have our fair share of problems, but every country does. Why do people want to come here so badly? It's the freedom we have here because of those Godly principles. If God offends you atheists, live somewhere else. Look at the other countries where God is never heard of, where He isn't even taught or where people aren't even allowed to mention that name. The people there are hurting and sad. They don't have the freedom we have here and the economics and disease are so bad. The governments are so corrupt. There is a reason why that is... God is absent. It's simple---take God away, invite problems in.

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..." Psalm 14:1

just look at all the countries in the world that have removed " in god we trust" or any reference to that line from their currency, Constitution or whatever and you will see that they have all failed.
I cannot believe that when there is so much more to worry about in life that some idiot has decided to make this an issue - just leave it alone and stop being so sensitive.
have you not got something more important to do. The majority of this country are still religious ( no matter what faith ) so let it be and get on with your lives.

Hey Genius, if you live in America and can view this thread, then 1 of 3 things is a fact. You were either lucky enough to be born in a country whose founding fathers founded a new nation under God, you moved here to be in a country that was lucky enough to be a country whose founding fathers founded a new nation under God, or 3, you choose to work in a country whose founding fathers founded a new nation under God.

And the best part about this is, this country makes no stipulation as to who or what God is to you.

The other good thing for you living in a free country whose founding fathers founded a new nation under God, is that this country will gladly let you move to any country that will have you and allow you to do so very inexpensively.

Just because you can't grasp the concept that there is a God, doesn't mean that an entire country, whose founding fathers founded a new nation under God, should change for you.

I don't know why everybody keeps speaking about how there is to be a "separation of church and state" when there is already an established federal religion... It's called Secular Humanism, which is basically a form of Atheism being forced predominantly on the Christian population of the USA and is taught in our public schools!

Evidence:
1.) The removal of the 10 Commandments from public venues.
2.) The removal of Prayer from our public schools.
3.) The removal of the Holy Bible from public school libraries.
4.) The suppression/censorship of many types of religious activity, art, and/or speaking from media and public settings. (Possibly including this very comment or others like it!)
5.) The argument to remove the phrase "under God" from our nation's Pledge of Allegiance.
6.) The existing argument of removing "In God we Trust" from the national currency.

Whether anybody likes it or not, our nation was formed by Christians who wanted religious freedom! Our Founding Fathers based our laws and the very structure of our Government on models and principles found within the Holy Bible. True Christian nature dictates that anybody can believe what they choose to believe and that they will be held accountable someday, right or wrong! I do not need to control you or your beliefs, but you also do not have the right to control me or my beliefs. Also, you may believe what you want to, but that does not give you the right to teach your beliefs to MY children when your beliefs conflict with mine. I will not control your words and your behavior, but I DO expect you to learn to "control yourself"!

I do not agree with public displays of indecency and profanity to be a "right" under the First Amendment, when the displays that speak against such behavior (10 Commandments) are being removed in the guise of protecting the public interest. I can dearly love friends that happen to be homosexual without agreeing with their lifestyle and without allowing them to teach my children that it is acceptable, which would conflict with my beliefs. However, I have not been afforded the same courtesy in return. I have friends that are gay and friends that are atheists that are worthy of respect for so many more reasons than their choice of beliefs or lifestyle and I can respect them for those other reasons regardless of our differences. Respect should be given where it is warranted! If you do something to earn disrespect, then this principle applies as well, Christian or not.

It is not my job to judge you as there is another who will do that. I do not believe it is your right to judge me, although I realize that many will judge me anyways. It is my job to love my brother whether he hates me or not. It is my job to take care of the helpless and show mercy whenever I can. It is my job to be a voice of reason in an unreasonable world where nothing is absolute unless you're reasonable. AND I do all of this because "In God We Trust", speaking as a Christian American... because without God as my authority figure then I would try to control you and you would try to control me and whoever has the more money and power wins, right or wrong! Have a good day!

I feel that all of this is an infringement on my right to worship my god. If you don't want to that is your right. If you don't like to see this on your money give it to me I don't mind at all. This great nation was founded upon freedom of religion. With that said it works both ways if you don't like it as our founding fathers made it then maybe you should use your freedom to move somewhere else. While you got me on this I would also like to know how many of the people that wants this off is willing to fight for this country and possibly die if need be to protect these rights they have. In many country's if you stated that you wanted to change something that so many men fought to give us they would show you that freedom you have here is a great and sacred item that many of us take for granted. But keep in mind all of it came with a price. The price paid give these people the right to voice there op-ion, but I don't believe it give us the right to change what our for fathers set up for us so long ago. "He so ever believes in me shall not perish....." I believe in the bible and I respect those who don't as there right but don't try to change this to remove my right either. The pledge of allegiance and prayer in school is my right also. If you don't want to hear it plug your ears of when it is announced it is going to happen remove yourself from the area. But leave the rest of us have are freedom as well as you have yours.
Did any of you think about what this country would be like if we were all to turn into Jehovah Witnesses ( I'm not pointing a finger at this religion it is just the one that comes to mind). How long do you suppose we would have all these freedoms if other country's new we would not fight to keep them. I would guess it wouldn't be to long. I am pretty sure that this religion and others are very glad that a lot of us is willing to fight for our freedoms and for the freedoms of all Americans.

Thanks
Danny

I think that our founding father's would be ashamed to see the issues we're arguing over. There is genocide, poverty, starvation and many other atrocities being commit ed all over the world, and we're debating about a few words on the back of green paper?! I'm a devout Christian, but to be honest, I think there are more important issues to be dealt with than our money and the words on it. It's ridiculous, really. I'm not really concerned with who it offends because it's NOT that big of an issue. We should be offended by the horrible conditions in our backyard and all over the world, not with a few splashes of ink on a slip of paper. You can still get your goods and services with the money, whether or not the "G word" is on there! So let's stop bickering over stupid issues and get back to more important problems in the world!

I believe that there should be separation of church and state. I believe that the Supreme Court should read the Constitution of the United States of America. I would be willing to entertain an amendment to the above mentioned document ... the people that would propose such changes only have to answer ONE question. That question is, "What date will this amendment go in to effect?". Every government document, agreement, contract, etc. is invalid unless it contains Two important items ... Signature(s) AND Date. Must I remind anyone about our calendar? If I were to type today's date appropriately, it would be like the following: "Tuesday, August 26th 2008 AD" or "Tuesday, the 26th day of August, in the year of our Lord, 2008". I might be incorrect in the form but do you get my point? If the founding fathers wanted to have complete separation of church and state, as the Supreme Court has interpreted, why did the reference a Creator? The didn't say all men were born equal ... they said all men are created equal.

I wish more people would consider the spirit of the law rather than arguing about the language of it. The separation of church and state was created to PROTECT our freedom to worship God; the very reason many people settled here in the first place.
Is this issue really causing division in our nation? How sad. Perhaps the words, "In God We Trust" are no longer true for the majority of Americans. I doubt that God cares what we print on our money. He does, however, care how we behave as a nation.

The appearance of "In God We Trust" on our currency is not indicative of the particular god we are referring to, and therefore is representative of the majority of Americans who are not atheists. Almost any religion can claim that they trust in "God" although "God" may be identified by them in varying ways. For this reason, until atheism is predominant in the United States, I believe it is representative of not only our history but also our current state of being to leave the statement "In God We Trust" on our United States currency.

as noted by others: there is no "separation of church & state" in the constitution--it is a concocktion of twisted minds.

Why not leave thing that fore father did without any b$%&^ing. Why do people have to change something that has been in and on money. buildings, etc for 100's of years. They have nothing else to do but go to court and wait there time and money. Like taking pray out of schools. Why can't people, kids pray before they start the school day together. You don't want see it on the money don't use it. Go to another country where that have nothing on it except men who destroyed they country. Let's see yall try to change there.
Why do the courts want to change things from our forefathers which should stay as is. Read your Constitution, stick to it.

I just found newsvine a couple days ago. I thought: "Wow! So many people discussing the news and issues of they day... how nice." What I have learned though is how remarkable stupid so many people really are. Very disheartening.

I think people

1) aren't reading the posts
2) stop reading posts as soon as they figure out it doesn't share their same views
3) are quick to fly off the handle without doing ANY actual research of the facts on their own (and going to a ultra-liberal or ultra-conservative website does not count as research.)

Blane, In god we trust has NOT been on money, bldgs, etc for 100s of years. The phrase was created in Dec 1863 by the Secretary of the Treasury. It was later minted on certain coins off an on until the McCarthy period. THAT'S when In god we trust was made the national motto. THAT'S when under god was thrown into the pledge. 55 years is hardly 100s. You obviously don't have the faintest clue as to what you're talking about and even more obviously don't care about facts.

Dave/Blane (and oh so many other idiots on this thread),
As pointed out by many others (including dozens of courts from all parts of the country consistently over many decades): The constitution DOES provide for separation. It doesn't use the phrase "separation of church and state" and it doesn't use the phrase "wall between church and state". It does proved the dual clause pertaining to religion/government relationship.

[The Republic was founded by emigrants from Europe who sought to escape the bondage of laws which compelled their support and attendance at government sponsored churches. Accordingly, the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States provides inter alia that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Thus religious liberty receives the dual protection of the establishment clause, that demands the separation of government and governmental functions from religious doctrine, and the free exercise clause, that precludes government interference with the exercise of religion]

The separation issue is not something that has been cooked up by a few corrupt liberal judges. It has been cited time and time again by dozens of courts and judges. It has been consistently cited for many decades. It has been upheld by liberal and ultra-conservative judges alike. YOU would want a conservative judge to throw away his objectivity and rule with his heart and personal preference. The fact that they have had the fortitude to rule based on constitutional law even when the result conflicts with the outcome they would personally want says a lot about their character.

Where in the world do you find the page to actually send in your vote? I would like to vote whether or not I agree or disagree!!!!! Why would we let the few that disagree change EVERYTHING the way it's been for how long now??!! If the few don't like it then they don't have to participate in any religous stuff!!! I vote to keep "In God We Trust" on our currency and coins!!!! Same thing goes for the celebration of holidays in schools. Who's idea was it anyway to change all that stuff??!! The children look forward to these celebrations in school. The parents can teach their children about their particular religion in their own home!! If they do not celebrate "Christmas" for example in their religion, then their children do not have to participate. Why punish tradition that has been tradition for years and OUR children get punished and they don't understand why they now have to have a "Winter party" instead of a Christmas party. Does any of this make sense?? And does anyone agree with me?

jbreneman,

"If the few don't like it then they don't have to participate in any religous stuff!!!"

Your statement answers your own questions. This is why we shouldn't have school prayer / god on our money or in our motto. Children HAVE to go to school. It is mandatory. Then they get to school where the teacher says "open your bibles to page xxx" "Let us pray". The child has to participate in religious stuff. Young children do not have the faculties to defend their rights. A teacher says what will be happening and all the students do as they are told. After they gain a few years they may stand up for their rights and not participate. This also requires shrugging off peer pressure as well... but now they are singled out as the different ones. Christian children then attack the outsider who doesn't pray and they segregate him/her. Why? If you just kept group prayer in your homes and churches, the children could concentrate on their studies.

Thanks for your quote.....The fact that most Americans do not know our history and that we were most definitely founded on Christian principals, is why now in our nation there is so much nonsense drug up by atheists, agnostics and the like! As if there is the right to be and do whatever no matter what...in the privacy of ones own home or life, yes....but when it tears at our heritage, the very foundation of America or hurts, angers or denies others rights; then it is time to stand up and shout ...yes it does matter! Absolutely ...In God We Trust must remain everywhere it has always been and so should all of the references to God, faith and morality we used to have and still have...for it is only by His grace we have not fallen into further decay. He blessed this nation well and we are taking it to the dregs with moral decay, divided people in the nation and ruined the patriotism, faith and honor we once had. Gays, atheists, and radical nuts that have no conscience want to rattle all the chains...yet the doors of heaven will NOT be broken...one day there are going to be some very shocked people who have been brought to their knees!! Watch and read The American Heritage Series, our history is all there!!

THANK YOU!!! America, go back to High School Civics & History. Read your constitution, due processes, Bill of Rights, etc. NO WHERE in our Constitution does it say ANYTHING about this warped and twisted "Separation of Church and State".

The modern Communists and Socialists in our Judicial system want to silence everyone with ignorance. Research the FACTS yourself. Dont just take my word for it!

Benjamin Franklin, along with our founding fathers I'm sure couldn't have imagined the extreme prejudiced on BOTH sides. "Separation of Church and State" is meant to KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT of our personal religions and our RIGHT to chose one. Our country is historically proven to have been founded by "Christian" laws, morals & ethics... "Adopting" these values into the writing of our Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, etc...

"God" is directly mentioned in some of the documents along with reference to "the Creator" ("Creator" being capitalized, meaning an entity or being.)

"Separation of Church and State" is a concept NOT directly mentioned in our constitution, but stated by Benjamin Franklin in various letters to mean that the American Government shall not declare a particular religion, denomination or doctrine. However WE as FREE people CAN FREELY worship ANYWHERE we please, whether it be in the public town square, school, etc... and, our Government "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

And, though "In God We Trust" was not adopted until 1837 and put on coins, later to be added to all currency doesn't mean that our founding fathers would disapprove or see that Americans are not "...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Newdow and all the rest of the naysayers and unbelievers need to take a permanent trip to Russia and there they can all live in complete freedom from God. If you don't like your freedom that blood was shed for, then best be making plans to leave.

Ct - Surely you are not judging???? God can not be taken out or from anything. No one on earth can do that. Do you assume there are no Christians in Russia, and that one would be free from God there?????????????? You can't be serious. God rules this world no matter where you may be. Those who do not believe will answer ONLY to God - not us.
God did not die and leave us to judge. Since God can't be removed, I doubt he has any desire to be on our dirty money.

AFTER READING THE REPLIES I AM ASTOUNDED THAT MANY OF THOSE WHO REPLIED SPEAK SO PROFOUNDLY AGAINST WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE. FOR EXAMPLE; THE BIBLE STATES THAT A CHRISTIAN IS TO RESPECT THEIR LEADERS; THEIR "MASTERS" WHICH MEANS EMPLOYERS; AND TO PROVIDE A GOOD WORKDAY FOR THEIR WAGES. OUR FOREFATHERS WERE RELIGIOUS MEN AND HAD MORALS LEARNED FROM THE BIBLE. MORALS? READ THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND FOLLOW THEM AND OUR COUNTRY, OUR SOCIETY, OUR PEOPLE WILL BE BETTER THAN WE HAVE NOW; A SOCIETY RIDDEN BY CRIME, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS, LATCH DOOR KIDS, ETC. IF WE READ THE BIBLE, WE WOULD REALIZE THAT FAMILY IS IMPORTANT, JUST AS OUR FOREFATHERS BELIEVED AND BASED THEIR DECISIONS ON THESE PRINCIPLES. ALSO, OUR GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DECLARED A RELIGION THAT ALL CITIZENS MUST PARTICIPATE IN----THAT'S WHAT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE MEANS!!!!----SO, IF WE HAVE A MORAL LEADER WHO BELIEVES IN GOING TO CHURCH AND USING GODLY PRINCIPLES TO GOVERN; THEN WE WILL BE WHERE WE WERE WHEN WE; THE U.S. WAS A RESPECTED NATION AMONG THE WORLD; BUT, NOT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE CHANGED. BUT, I TRUST IN GOD AND SO SHOULD WE STATE "IN GOD WE TRUST"

NO WAY SHOULD WE DELETE IN GOD WE TRUST ON OUR CURRENCY OR ON OUR
COIN'S AND ANY OF Y'S THAT WANT TO DELETE IT JUST GO BACK TO THE COUNTRY YOU WERE BORN IN AND LEAVE AMERICA ALONE. AND THE GOES FOR OUR
NATIONAL ANTHEM AS WELL. WHOEVER COMES UP WITH THESE IDEAS SHOULD JUST LEAVE AMERICA NOW AND NEVER TO RETURN.

I could care less either way. Every one has their own beliefs and idea of who God is. My God could be totally different from others "Gods". Really, why are people losing sleep over this. I really believe that we have more problems to worry about. Like maybe........Economy, health-care, education etc. We are a " FREE" country, everyone has a right to their own religious beliefs. So if the saying in God we Trust is on our currency great, awesome, get over it. For those who are so adamant on having the saying on currency get over too, you never know what God people are referring to maybe not yours!!

I think this issue could be looked at several ways, and the debate gets heated when objectivity is removed, or at the very least overlooked, when people let their emotions take over. From a practical standpoint though, the sheer cost of removing religious symbols from our government institutions would be wasteful. To take this fight to its logical conclusion, if we remove the phrase from our money then we would also have to remove every instance of religious symbolism from all federal and state funded buildings, not to mention it would do nothing for all the money currently in circulation. Take a look at the change in your pocket and notice the dates. It would take decades, possibly longer, for that phrase to disappear by attrition. Think about Washington D.C. alone, to erase religious references from government we would have to pay our taxdollars to remove:
!. A giant statue of Moses from the Library of Congress
2. A relief of Moses on the back facade of the Supreme Court
3. Moses with the 10 commandments inside the Supreme Court
4. A Liberty of Worship statue with the 10 commandments outside the Ronald Reagan building
5. The 10 commandments in the floor of the National Archives
6. The Adams Prayer Mantel in the White House
7. The painting "Knowledge" in the North Hall of the Library of Congress
8. Desoto's burial in the Mississippi River in the U.S. Capital rotunda
9. A religious phrase from Lord Tennyson in the Library of Congress rotunda
10. Numerous religious references from the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, and on and on....
I personally think our money would be better spent on educational grants, rather than appeasing those who interpret "Freedom of Religion" as "Absence of Religion"

I personally believe that the moral decay we see in our great country is as a direct result of this kind of attack. Furthermore, I adamantly believe, that if we continue to reject the religious foundations upon which this country was established that we will cease to exist as a country. History is being repeated. One has only to look to the decline of the Roman civilization to see how a great nation crumbled from within once moral depravity was accepted as the norm. We are seeing it happen today; Homosexuality and abortion (to name only two) are now accepted as normal, and now we have those that want to remove even the words themselves from our currency and courthouses. God wants to bless our great nation as he has in times past. We need God in America today!

If "In God We Trust" is removed from money, why not remove it from every public building and document. (Even the Lincoln Monument is LOADED with the phrase). We removed God and Prayer from our schools and yet we wonder why children kill one another, buildings and cars are bombed. But some how, we have NO PROBLEM SAYING, "OH GOD" "MY GOD" as casual as a burp. Why are the atheists not opposing this? Talk about "talking out of both sides of your mouth"...

I believe that this country was founded by people seeking the freedom to practice their faith openly. We are now a country of many faiths. Is there a reason that the "God" referenced on OUR currency cannot represent the God of all faiths. Are those people who have no faith in A God so threatened that they would have all faiths forced to only acknowledge their faith in the privacy of their home. Do the faithful of all religions not have the right to have the word God anywhere in public. I resent the idea that if someone includes faith in their God in their life, they must be some weak minded sheep. Religions are something created by man, not God. Religions have been used for thousands of years to justify the evil of man. Murder, mayhem, rape. The list is pretty long. I believe that majority of Americans have faith in a God. Honoring God on our currency in no way dictates which religion you must practice or even that you have to have a religion or faith. So maybe since most of us "sheepish" Americans have a faith, its appropriate that God be on our currency. Plus for those of you whose only God is currency, it would be appropriate for you too.

The constitution does not prohibit religion or even the non belief in a supreme entity most people call God, Allah, great spirit or by other names.

What is prohibited is the establishment of an "official" government sanctioned religion like England had in place when we declared, fought for and won our independence.

As for the atheist, They don't have a leg to stand on except for the supporters of liberal judges, lawyers and politicians. We are suppose to be a country where majority rules and if the issue of prayer in school were ever put to a vote, the majority of voters would vote to keep prayer in school.

This same results would happen on any issue put to the vote of the people to decide to remove or keep the words "In god we trust" on our money, in our national anthem or anywhere else it is used.
Thank you for your time.

This country was established for freedom of religion by the Pilgrims back in the 1600s. They fled England with its totalitarian state that only acknowledged one religion. Living the word of God has been a cultural privilege since the inception of the first foreign people that landed on these shores. This at least goes back as far as Columbus in the 1400s.

The principle of freedom of religion also means that if you idolize a non great spirit then it is your freedom to worship in that manner. It is not in your list of freedoms to banish the belief I have in that God is alive and that the atheist will one day come to be judged by Jesus that that he will be cast outside to live as the demons and dogs for eternity.

I have used my entire adult life, as a police officer, to defend a person's right to free speech. However, this nut job does not have the right nor does he/she have the big brass ones to limit my freedoms.

You can take "in God we trust" out of the money, but you can't take it out of my heart. Once you try to take it out of my heart then I would be really pissed off. But if it goes away form the money so what, big deal, It just means one thing, and that is that the bible prophecy is coming to pass. Take God out of the school, out of government, out of work places, Pollute the sanctity of marriage and allow same sex marriages. The next thing you know you non believers will allow marriage between humans and animals. Take it out of money. The more you non believers take God out of the picture the less His presents will exist.. When that happens God will come, He is not going to send any one to hell. You will send yourself there.
Go ahead take "in God we trust" out see what happens next. Hehehehehehehehe. I can't wait.
In God I turst.

I've noticed lately that those who don't want my name on their currency, continue to call out my name on their death beds. I find that strange, but since I created you idiots it's all my fault to begin with.

GOD GAVE US ALL A CHOICE. YOU HAVE A CHOICE AND YOU ARE THE ONE THAT HAS TO ANSWERE FOR IT. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL

For all you are so concerned about the wording on our money, there is a very easy two step solution to your concern:

1. Stop using the money.
2. Move to another country that does things the way you prefer.

The rest of us will stay and enjoy our money and the wonderful country that permits us to earn it.

The first commenter makes interesting points of logic and law. Here's another: By logic, either there IS God, or there is NOT. If our coinage removes all references to God, that represents A RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW -- an atheistic one. That would NOT be "separation of church and State." Another consideration for atheists is to figure that belief in God is similar to wholistic medicine: If it does you no good, at least it does you no harm, and might, in fact, offer you some good that there's no other source of.

Now back to harder logic: Nowhere did our Founding Daddies describe God; their not mentioning God often is arguably discretion, not lack of belief, but by not describing God, they ensured freedom of religion. How atheists choose to handle references to God is up to them. But NOTHING IS TO STOP THEM FROM MINTING THEIR OWN MONEY, as a renowned economist whose surname I share has researched and even suggests we might all do -- that the gov't shouldn't be minting money! But even if the gov't does, there are still legal ways you can mint your own; you probably have to have something to back it. Our current currency is inflated and not backed by GOLD, so is now at about 4 cents on the dollar. Removing references to God won't make it more valuable; arguably, far less sound or valuable. And retaining it does not make the USA a theocracy. Maybe go visit a country that really is one; you might come back here ready to kiss all the coins that refer to a God so unafraid of your disbelief that even atheists will meet God one day.

Wisdom is better when it comes with money. Both help. Wisdom is better than money because it can save whoever has it. (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12).

The motto has little to do with religion. Religion is about interpretation. On the other hand, the choice to trust in something potentially better than each of us is about hope, optimism and the freedom to strive for greater use of our acquired intelligence and common sense. Isn't this what our Country was founded on at its most basic level?

Our problems with this country is that they are taking God out of EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!! Our schools, our courts and now off of money?!?!? Satan is taking over & God help us all!!!!!!!

I think that God doesn't care what we do with our currency. It seems a ridiculous thing to be arguing about. It's sort of a slap to Christians, or any other God loving group, because it is a symbol of our devotion, but it will spiritually change nothing. I wonder why some feel it's so important to take the phrase off our currency. It seems that those who are so fearful of leaving it on and those who are fearful of taking it off are much the same. And it is fear. It's the "let's get real group" who feel science (man's feeble knowledge) must be surpreme who feel enraged that there are still people who believe in Jesus Christ, and that makes me sad because no matter what man discovers, he will never have the mind of God. God is greater than all and this silly argument about what belongs to Caesar is just silliness aided by the news media. I like it when anyone gives honor to God but God doesn't need anything. Many people who are adamant about leaving it on are those who are only mouthing Christianity, not necessarily committed Christians. I think it's a control thing both ways. Fear of not getting to heaven, or fear that there is a heaven and needing to deny it. All Christians feel attacked when someone tries to pull the rug out, and it's happening a lot lately, but there is nothing anyone can do that will change God and His love for us or make His promises less valid. One day this will be known by all. c

i agree completely. the supreme court thinks it can rewrite the Constitution!!!

This is absolutely and positively ridiculous! That atheist is trying to take away my rights. In case you haven't noticed, Michael, the constitution is based on GOD GIVEN RIGHTS!!!! Are you using the rights afforded to you in the constitution, The GOD GIVEN RIGHTS, to base your lawsuit upon?

It's about time we as Americans take a stand against people like Michael Newdow and others who have come to this country and want to change everything it stands for. This country was established as an English speaking country when the Colonists defeated the English. The constitution that our forefathers wrote was based in religion and God given rights.

Now, we are asked to no longer use the term, "In God We Trust" on our currency, we are no longer able to pledge allegiance because, "...one nation under God....", we can't even say Merry Christmas because of non Christ believers. Since when has the minority overruled the majority?

I have to walk down the street and listen to people speak in a hundred different languages, I have to see them wear all forms of attire, I have to be asked, for English press one. What else do you people want? Do you want my first born as well? Enough is enough.

I am glad that I can chose the religion that is best for me. You should be glad that you can live in a country that you can practice your religion and not have to look over your shoulder. But to take away the right to a moment of silence in school, to take away the pledge of allegiance, to remove In God We Trust from our money, and to take away Santa Claus, you really are a pathetic person who has nothing better to do with your time.

If you don't like it, GET OUT!

I am serious, I will pay for you to leave, any country of your choice. Just GET OUT!

Like our founding fathers, I favor less state religion and more alcohol.

Wow it is amazing how much controversy this issue causes. It is good to see that we are such a prosperous people that we have nothing more to do than fight over small things that in the big picture really do not matter. We live in the best country in the world and all we do is fight and complain as we stuff ourselves with food. Kind of sad. I am a Christian and I believe in the separation of church and state. I think it was set up not to protect the state but to protect the church and the people from the state. We can all decide how we believe and don't have to worry about the government dictating our belief. What a great thing to be able to choose for yourself. No need to have this argument about the money. They are not going to take "In God We Trust" off of our money so no need to get your underwear all in a wad. I know it is a real thorn in the side of you folks who have no beliefs. You guys should be more concerned about the devaluation of the dollar instead of what is written on it. I don't really think God cares about the print on the money anyway. Money is a human invention used to pay the electric bill. God would rather be in the hearts and lives of the people. This was fun. See ya.

I can't believe that this country continues to question the very roots for which this country was founded. If you don't like our country, get out! Nobody is asking you to stay or change the way you believe, just respect the 80-85% of us who do believe in God.

In reality, why should I care? The phrase doesn't increase the value of the dollar. It doesn't decrease the value either. Why don't we discuss how to help the economy instead.

Dosen't our country have anything better to do with their time and money except try to change things that have been in our country from the beginning of time...Maybe someone should look at OUR COUNTRY..and see how to make it stronger and not worry and nit pick about things that have no signifigant impact on us as a country..I think there is bigger fish to fry and if someone out there dosne't have anything better to do than to nitpick over whats printed on our money..they need to find a real job...Carol

I do beleive that American people don,t wake up &get some new blood in congress &the senate &supreme court we will have no RIGHTS

Our forefathers trusted in God and look how society has changed since then, we've went to hell in a hand basket. Please, if you don't like the fact that our country's forefathers believed and trusted in God, get out!! America would be much a better country without you!

Pappyopa has it correct in the first line. Article [I] reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

after this pappyopa's argument gets all confusing. Placement of "In God We Trust" is not establishment of religion nor prohibition of exercise thereof. As a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people, we have a right to recognize this fact.

The fact that this discussion came to me from a Christian and as a Christian I should vote. We fail to realize that belief in God (and by the way the same God) is practiced by (and let's begin counting):

1. Christians including Pentecosts, Roman Catholic, Greek Orhtodox, Baptists, Methodists, Church of Jesus Christ for Latter Day Saints, Seventh Day Adventists, and so ono.
2. Muslims
3. Jews
and so on

We are built as a nation where the majority of the people rule. I challenge you to perform your own investigation into the percentage of the population that does and doesn't believe in God and determine then who should rule in this decision.

Finally, after reading through the comments I saw on several occasions the statement "That if you don't believe in God then go to another country." I do not want one person to leave this country because our diversity is what makes this country great. I have a family member that is an aetheist and I love her dearly and would never want her to leave this country. As a Christian I truly love my neighbor and all my neighbors. If you are truly a Christian I challenge you to believe the same and not want to have your neighbor leave this country. If you still do want this then I don't recognize you as a Christian nor a true American. Besides your response is not an intelligent response nor constructive.

To quote another comment:

Amen (another non-intelligent response.)

ENOUGH OF THE CRAP ALREADY...Leave God alone, he's done wonders for us and doesn't ask for much in return. Let's AT LEAST give Him a little of the respect He deserves. Leave His name on the currency. Our country is falling apart and all we can bitch about is that beautiful 3 letter word on money. God Bless You All.

Matthew 6:5-6
god on your money is blasphamy
prayer in school is also blasphamy
and posting the ten commandments is one of the only two unforgivable sins which take you out of jesus book
rev 22:18-19
so when you fools are dead do you think jesus will forgive people whom whored him out like a streetwalker?
:)

I believe this country has prospered because of GOD. Lets leave GOD in everything we do. I don't think we can take God out of our country. I think most of the people would like to leave in GOD we trust on our money.

Few realize that the motto "In God We trust" was only added to the currency in the 1950s. It's true. Check it out yourself in books or on the Internet. So to claim the motto has "historical and patriotic significance" is, at best a stretch and, at worst, misleading and distorted. If you want to take the time to read about it, you will learn that religious fundamentalists pressured the government into adopting the motto. I'm a Christian and a deacon in my church. As a Christian, I believe that God is everywhere, always. The motto is unnecessary. If I want to feel close to God, I can pray, go to church, or read the Bible, and I can even be evangelical in my fashion. The motto is not my kind of evangelism. After all, it's money we're talking about here.

If we can't trust in God, who are we to trust?? The government?? It's sad that we are slowly taking God out of this world little by little.. and that's why this country and all the other countries are in the state they are in.. Think about it! I think we should put "in God we trust on everything!

All I am going to say is that anyone who believes that the "In God We Trust" motto should be removed from currency is not married and does not plan on doing so. My reasoning is simple. Regardless of whether you get married in the Church or in the courthouse, the vows for marriage are the same and where are they located??!! Hmmm . . . Can someone say the Bible!! So to say that "In God We Trust is to be removed from currency to separate state from religion is rubbish unless you are going to change the wedding vows as well!!!

This nation has always relied on our trust in God and it is my opinion that our nation
will fail when we lose this trust. I do not think "in God we trust" should never be removed
from our currency because it is an everlasting reminder that our trust is in him and we
never need to remove any reminder that he is our soverign leader and never be ashamed
to show this 'motto'. Thanks for the freedom that we are priviledged to be able to speak
our personal thoughts.

Seriously, I have no idea what is going on it this country. I think it has something to do with a majority of the population having no common sense, or just having decided somewhere along the wayward existence they call a life that they no longer needed to think for themselves. I wish everyone had the ability to think through some ideas before they open their mouth, or worse yet, start writing it down. Weaker minded people tend to just believe something because it was said by someone they deem smarter than them self or just plain believe everything they read.

Both a yes or no vote are set up to make sure religion is denied as a major influence in the origin of this county. To remove it because of religious phobia is to rewrite history to better suit to and give a certain portion of the population of the United States of America a sense of feeling right about their decision to not believe in religion.

It is my understanding that the Supreme Court decided that the saying "In God We Trust" had no religious meaning on this nations currency, so they were not going to order it removed. This opinion seems to be intended as a as a loss for both sides. I am so glad we as a country have put our most important decisions in the hands of nine individuals who are not even elected by the people. We are such lucky idiots!

I think people are going a little over board. The next thing you know they'll make Christmas illegal. Just relax non-God believers they are only words, ignore them if it hurts you that bad. The money has said this forever, it is a tradition and tradition is the backbone of this country. Like it or leave the country.

I knew nothing about the MSN poll until a fellow coworker that believed my spiritual beliefs were identical to hers forwarded an email to vote. She is a very lovely person but I keep my spiritual and political beliefs to myself because I believe both are a leap of faith and don't want to dictate my beliefs to other. When it comes to the spiritual, I believe only what is in the heart counts, the rest is performance for the benefit of others.

Where in the Bible are God and money so closely linked?

America is my country and her money is our way of dealing with one another in lieu of carrying heavier stuff!

I resent more aggressive religions trying to push their "club" down my neck.

I am working very hard to rid myself of the anger I feel to be pushed around by organized groups
Have never commented online like this before

Just a note - the Judicial Branch - the courts are to interpret law not make it. Interpretation must involve many factors such as precedent, culture, general welfare, the culture of the congress enacting the law, etc. The interpretation effects the conduct of enforcement which is the responsibility of the administrative branch - the President and the office of the Attorney General. All of this is in the Constitution you were quoting. Comlicated but functional.

I totally agree with you! and on another note- I can hardly bare it when I come across someone that is complaining and criticising christians for "picking on them- and violating their rights- what about christians rights- since when is it acceptable to offend Christians and our beliefs but not acceptable to offend other reilgions and their beliefs? Why is it acceptable practice to persicute the Christian faith, could it be that it has been happening since the beginning of time and therefore our Christion duty to be persicuted? Not so in my book- I don't go around trying to make those of other religious beliefs feel they have to defend themselves for their choices- I explain my beliefs to those interested and those that aren't- I respect their choices- why can't we be respected too!- are the non-religious that scared of us that they have to do unto us before we have a chance to do unto them? Just a thought! Let's not forget that this country was started because a choice to have religious freedom- not the right to persicute others because they don't believe the same as Christians.

Christmom

Pappyoppa,
It is very strange that people say they are being wrongly subjected to God but then they want Christians to listen to their opinions every day. These are a few things I hear almost every day now. I don't want to see "In God we trust" on American money. I don't want to se a "Nativity Scene" at your churches". I don't want to see the "Ten Commandments" posted at the park. I don't want you to talk about "God" at work. I don't want you to have "prayer" in your schools. There are more but you get the point...

On the other hand we have to listen to the opposers wine and complain about our beliefs every day. They could ignore these things and not participate but they wine and wine more about it. So, what that does is make the Christians have to tolerate their beliefs but they can not tolerate ours.

I will not make a list of the opposers beliefs because that really is not the issue... the issue is that the opposers believe they have the right to voice their beliefs but we, as Christians, should keep our opinions to ourselves. This is oppression.

There are two things that stand our here that just don't make any sense. First is how hypocritical they are and the second is the importance they put on taking God out of the system... It is very important to them to take God out of the system which tells me the opposers have a fear of God...

I say freedom of speech and religion. I say that the opposers are the oppressers.

Peace,
MarkO

I will not claim to be a christian, or affiliate of any other religion. However, "In God We Trust", needs to stay put where it is. I am not offended by this. It is what our wonderful nation was founded on. Seperation of church and state, means that a panel of "christians" would not be your judge and jury, not that there was no belief in the higher power. Why does everyone want to change everything about the U.S.? These are the things that made our country great, and what we are today. If you don't like it move! Our military and our government has fought for centuries to give you the right to do just that!!! Go, see how the rest of the world lives, see how well you like it!!!

send all these stinking atheists and the ACLU to China where they belong. They are destroying our good country and everything we stand for.

this is rediculous that this topic is even being discussed. What is this country coming to? GOD FIRST AMEN.................................

I just wanted to ad that a lot of you are using the "Separation of Church and State" incorrectly. The separation of Church and state was established shortly after we became "...One Nation under God...". Separation of church and state was established to end state run churches(churches that were created by the government, where attendance was mandatory). The separation of church and state does not apply to the fact that we have the "IN GOD WE TRUST". Nor is that phrase forcing any religious ideals on anybody. And yes this country was founded as a Christian nation, and just because America respects people's freedom of religion, does not detract from the fact that we are a christian nation. That would be like saying that America's primary language is not English. We respect the rights of other so they may speak the language of there heritage, but look around all of the street signs are in English, the news is in English, sure you can get a lot of media in a different language, but English is the primary language of America ("...ONE NATION UNDER GOD...."). And to think that we make or Government officials swear on the bible, now that really makes us seem like we have no ties to a christian nation. But religion aside, the removal of this phase would seem unpatriotic. Just think about it.

America is based on beliefs....I believe in God... you don't. I want prayer in schools...you don't. I want my kids to grow up believing that there is a higher power than my desires....you don't. It's freedom of beliefs not just speech that we have in this country. I respect yours, don't agree with it, but I'll respect your right to believe it...don't mess with mine.
J.

See, the ignorance of "patriotic american" is evident since belief in God is not mutually exclusive of intelligence. In fact, if you ask many scientists, they believe in God. Faith in God is what got our founding fathers here--you think it was easy schlepping through wilderness? They didn't sit on their butts in front of their computer thinking they were superior to others--they were in the wild of it. Oh and don't mistake us Christians for being weak--kindness is not synonymous with weakness. As for God, Jesus was nailed to the cross and crucified 2000 years ago--THAT IS HISTORICAL FACT. Whether you believe he is God or not, does not change this HISTORICAL FACT. The date that is on our currency is THE HISTORICAL DATE reflecting his BIRTH. So I say if we have to get rid of "In God we Trust" we need to switch to a new calendar in support of our new ignorant, non-historical stance. Perhaps the Jewish calendar? Oh wait, they recognize God too. The Muslim calendar? No, that's another RELIGIOUS one. Perhaps the Chinese Calendar??? Don't impose your atheism to change history and effect my FREE CHOICE. Just like smoking--you aren't entitled to pollute the air I breathe, so don't pollute my country with your anti-American antics.

Are you all f----ing crazy. Please get some sense and start trusting in GOD! one way or another you need to trust something and GOD is here for us all!! It started long ago without you, why buck the system? Oh because you have FREE SPEECH!!! OH you live here.......the good ole ............................USA.........................................Thank you!!!!

Not only are you probably correct in your interpretation, you are on the same track/line of thinking as those folks supporting "Restore the Republic", LIVEFREENOW, Freedom to Fascism, etc..... There are some people who would like nothing better than a return to a "Constitutional" America, a country governed by people who understand and uphold the limited power of Govt. as set forth in the FOUNDING FATHER'S DOCUMENTS. THE IRS is illegal. The Federal Reserve is run by private bankers, not the government under the US Treasury.The Supreme Court is not there to Legislate, either Federally or locally, and if that flamer atheist in 'Frisco, "poopienow", doesnt like the Pledge of Allegiance or prayers because of "GOD", he can move. I hear they don't like GOD in IRAQ, Russia, China, India....Take your pick Atheist, Just shut the F... up and whoever you find under a rock to take your case.

Amen Bill P and pappyopa! I myself find it utterly astonishing that one person is able to make such monumental changes in our country's laws and yet there are other issues that millions of patriots cry out against and nothing comes of it! Someone please pinch me and tell me that it is all just a bad dream! This type of thing surely can not be happening in the Land of The Free and The Home of The Brave! When will the voices of the masses be heard? I would like to fire 99% of all of the elected, self-serving officials, and we can. You guys who I am talking about had better snap out of it! You are messing with fire when you mess with True Patriots! Your world is about to change! God and People ARE going to rise up against you and nothing will save you! This country's roots are in self government, of the people , by the people and for the people, lest you forget! And our roots are still planted in good soil! Rise up people, rise up and let our voices and prayers be heard!

What is amazing about the comments here is all of the hatred and bile coming out of the Christians as they tell everyone to respect God.  Maybe the Christians should care a little less about whether God's name is on our currency and worry more about the lack of God that seems to be in the hearts of Christians posting here.

Plus once you argue this subject based on whether or not God is good or whether or not the majority are Christians, you are making the United States a theocracy.  Our founding fathers didn't create a theocracy.  This is a legal matter and should be argued as such.  Unfortunately there are only a few participants here willing to do so.

The rest of you are arguing like spoiled children.

If you don't believe in the words " In God We Trust" - Why don't you move to a country that was not founded on them!  This is America - Home of the Free and the Brave thanks to those words!

Wow, since you know what the constitution states. Now lets say how that has benifitted this country. Well, because of this law people have the right not to believe in or to believe in God. Our Great country will not force any particular religion on anyone. It doesn't mean that they are going to deny God and who He is. If you really want to understand this law, you need to understand where they were coming from when it was established. The country our forefathers came from enforced their religion on them. It was this religion, or no religion. So they searched for a place where they could freely embrace Jesus, and His Holy Word and Serve Christ freely. And they understood what it was like to be forced. I chose to serve Jesus, and gladly stand for the acknowledgement of God on all things and in all things. This country was founded on freedoms. Even if that freedom means you will not acknowledge God for who He truely is. Your loss! But by all means deny who He is, serve who you chose, but this country was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefes and it was those beliefs that give all, the freedom to chose. And if you knew God for who He is, you would know that He wants us to come to Him by our own free will, He(God) doesn't force you to believe in Him, He just pleads with you to chose life. I find that humbling and Awsome at the same time. Believe it or not this freedom comes from the God that so many would deny, or turn their backs on for a few ignorant, hateful people. The minority not the majority would have it removed. Shame, Shame, Shame! Praise be to God, the creator of this Great country and may we continue to acknowledge Him!

Join The Re-Establishment Act of The People 2008, contact me for Info.

Mike

Isn't it amazing how much we all know about our surroundings and the ways and reasons that we are where we are.  Is one supposed to suspect that the Supreme Court would issue a ruling without descretion?  Are we supposed to think for one moment that rules do not apply to the forum of the Supreme Court?  It would make sense to me if I think I have a better plan I could contact those involved and suggest that they review my plan.  Since it does not appear that this step was taken, instead a ruling is passed down by someone who isn't even "up" then we can proceed by simply considering the source. I guess we have way too may people who have the answer but are not in any position to give answers.  Just go ahead and hold them, contemplate them and work them into your next letter to those who can make a difference.

Good job Pappy, those brave pioneers who gave their lives for Freedom, did so for all of us, even those who despise them and yet live off the land, and hard work of others. You will find these same nay-sayers posting on every kind of board under the sun, I guess they have no better way to disrupt a nation, a people, a freedom to worship, or a right to love others. I feel sorry for those who are determined to disgrace the very person who created them, but that is their choice. Thanks for your clear and precise thinking and comments. SK

I want the "in God we trust" to be left in, our forefathers felt it was the right thing to do and our Country was lauched with this wise choice. With out God to steer us where would we be?????????

Betty Murray

Our forefathers believed that if you wanted to worship you should; that is where your religious freedom comes in. That said, most of the first Americans came here to escape religious beliefs in England where the Catholic church had been flogging, torturing, killing, burning and jailing people who did not believe in their religion for centuries. They burned all the people in whole towns, just for wanting to read the Bible in English and called them heretics. Benjamin Franklin hated religion. He believed in living life, not being afraid of life and God and certainly not being persecuted for it.

If you even mention faith in England or Canada in an election campaign, it is certainly the end of your running for office. It should be that way here, but over the last decade we have had religion shoved down our throats by the Evangelical right. You would have thought we elected Pat Robinson president. Bush appointed 14 out of 17 people that graduated from Pat Robinson University (which is not even accredited). Bush, the ex-drunk, chicken hawk, stood on that Bible and preached his way into a war that all his cronies have made a fortune off of. Palin is out on that right religious wing also. The only thing Bush worships is the money...Period

This is the only country in the world that there are churches on every corner. We think the Muslims are religious fanatics, look at the Baptist and the Evangelicals. I cannot believe that someone who doesn't believe in evolution was actually running for president. That is remarkable in this day and time. You would think we are back in the thirties in Mississippi or Alabama. It just goes to show how badly the public schools are in their teaching.

I am not an Atheist, nor am I a religious zealot, I believe in science and biology and evolution. I also believe in people. I don't give God credit, I give the people who do amazing things the credit. I cannot say whether there is or is not a God. I like everyone else do not know the answer to this question. With the history of the Bible over the centuries, I do not believe that it has the answers either. I am amazed that 60% of Americans believe in Noah's Ark. Ask most people who are religious where heaven is and they will point up and they think hell is below us. If you believe in the Bible, it saysthe Earth is only 5 to 7 thousand years old. I guess the dinosaurs only were around a few hundred years. What really surprises me is how closed minded the religious zealots are. Religion is a prophecy about God sending a man to teach his word; so they made up a story about a so called virgin traveling with a man who had a miracle birth. If someone wrote this today, no one would ever even pay attention to such nonscense. This was during the time they thought the world was flat and the sun revolved around the Earth and if you didn't believe that they would chop off your head or burn you for being a heretic. It is no wonder religion is still around, they killed everyone that didn't believe. Plus living in this time, people were pretty brutal and unmerciful, it is easy to see why they chose religion.

Religion is there because one man wants to tell another man how to live. There have been centuries of war fought over this premise. Millions have died because of religion and the zealots that enforced it on other peoples. Muslim was the most popular religion in the world until the Spanish Aquisition; then the Crusades; if you didn't kill people for religion they killed you as they marched across Europe and the Middle East.

The most popular religion in the world today are the asian Buddist type religions because just the shear numbers of people that are in this region of the world. Evangelicalsdon't even stop to think about that; to them all other religions are wrong or they take the Sung Yung Moon approach that because you believe in something you will go to heaven. 

People who believe in a religion are out there to me. Way out there. To confuse that with politics is just crazy. What seperates us from the Taliban or Hezbalah if we go that route. Religion has been the root of a lot of evil over the millineums. Religious people if they are really religious should be doing good and helping the poor and less fortunate without shoving their belief down their throats. There are a lot of religious groups all over the country that help people and it has been a good foundation for moral over the years, but what I see separating us now is narrow minded silly people who are so closed minded, racial, hateful people who look down on everyone that doesn't think like they do. How silly and ignorant that is.

Let's hope that we can all live together over the next decade and make big changes to the country and quit bickering over everything. It is time to set down and come up with great ideas of how we should be running our country. Make our leaders work for us and not for their pocketbooks and corporations, and lobbyists. Actually get our country into being competative in the 21st century. 

Amen! Preach it brother. Right on; I'm with you. But who do we get that's big enough and powerful enough to enforce the Law? The King is coming and He will make all things right.

pappyopa said it right, our forefathers came here for freedom of religion, and now our leaders are trying to take it away. It takes as much faith to believe in evolution as it takes to believe in God (since no one was here when it all began). Evolution is just a theory that's all; it is unprovable by scientific methods. So some people would rather believe in evolution and others desire to believe in God. If I choose not to believe in evolution there are no dire consequinces, but if you choose not to believe in God and there really is a God, then you will have to stand before Him in the last day and there are consequinces for your unbelief. Christian are not trying to shove religion down peoples throats; we are ambassadors of Jesus Christ and we only preach the message that He has commanded that we preach. We are answerable to Him alone, and He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. There is only repentance and life in Christ alone.

Why is the rest of the world allowed to celebrate their individual heritages and we as a nation, the United States of America must be apologetic?  We are a nation of immigrants that chose to come here knowing of which this country was founded, One Nation under God and that we chose as a nation to believe / fight for that belief that each person has certain inalienable rights that are God ordained.

Our history is one of peoples of all walks and beliefs coming together with respect, not hate.  There are so many other issues that demand our energies, why focus on walking away from the shared heritage of our Great Nation?

I read some of the comments and I really like what Katie52 and Drob428812 said. Read them and I add my "ditto"s to them. Very well said, and very true.

The US Supreme Court has instructed Congress, regarding its duties, on numerous occassions.  Congress can and does over-rule US Supreme Court decisions. The US Constitution allows Atheism to flourish in the US of A.  Their self-interests end at the tip of their collective noses, unless we allow them to occupy the free space that separates them from those who don't believe as they do.  Have you shared your concerns, with those elected to represent your interests on Capitol Hill?  The Atheists have! 

i think thats rediculous removing ""in god we trust"" i trust in God hes helped me in my life i may not be the greatest christian in the world but i do not think its a violation in any way same as the plege one nation under God we are a nation under God hes helped to fix this great nation and with many decisions... God is my God and i think it should be kept

I say YES to keeping our Motto on our money. If you don't believe in God, that's your business. Just don't read your money. This country was founded on a belief in God. Its our history. I don't see why a small minority should dictate our beliefs. I resent bigoted jokes with a passion but I don't see anyone trying to outlaw the telling of them.  If you don't like the country, GET OUT!!!! I'm sure you can find Eutopia in Iraq or Iran or whereever!

thats impressive.i believe that our country was founded on/with god so therefore we need to leave him wherever he was including schools,etc.have you noticed how the world has changed since god has been stiffeled?i truely believe that the end of the world is drawing near with all the disastrous things that have been going on as of late.im not a very religious person but i do believe!i remember nostrodamas and his predictions and also revelations and it may still not be in my lifetime,but my dear friends...it is coming.i see signs everyday and im a little scared for humanity.

It's nicto, you idiot!

Well stated!  Everyone is still free to practice what they choose or remain an agnostic or atheist.  The fact that  non-believers want God or any symbol of Him removed from the public square shows that they are being convicted in their spirit and they can't stand the pain.

One of these days, our GOV'T will get it together and actually UNDERSTAND the Constitution as many of us laypeople do.
Until then, bringing up Discussions like this, help to inform the rest of the laypeople of the truths they should already know about.

So many good voices in here...BLESS YOU ALL!!!

Those who see this "so called" seperation of church and state, utilize the world wide web and learn our history the way it truly was. Dont give into the cirriculum of our state run Univ's, High School, Middle schools.
"The Closing of the American Mind" has been and will continue to be, that is as long as you continue to listen to the drivel being spelled out as history.

WAKE UP AMERICA!

The double speak is not on the part of pappyopa.  The doublespeak is on the part of the Subpreme Court which interprets  Clause 1 of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution  independent of and to the negation of Clause 2.

The coins have never said which God, all are free to trust w/in their own belief system. Atheists are free to believe in no God because this country was founded on  freedom for all. Rather than trying to further push our country into one big chain store mentality, the only way we can grow, as the founders intended, is to accept all others right to be different, unless that involves wiping out any and all who disagree. The only chance the human race has of not blowing up this beautiful planet is to individually take responsibility for ourselves, and stop trying to change or harm those who see lifedifferently. When you take the time to compare major religions they have the same basic precepts, it is only when we divide into us and them we devolve into killing all we see as unlike us, rather than looking at the far higher number of similarities we all share.

The constitution spells it out very clearly. The supreme court of the US has been challenging & changing the constituion by legislating from the bench which was not the intention of our forefathers. The job of the court is to "interpret" the constituion not CHANGE IT. Unfortunately, not enough people in our country care enough to let their voices be heard & to speak up for what is right. In God We Trust! God Bless America! and Merry Christmas TOO ! Let the "Bash America" crowd go live somewhere else. Ours is the only country people are willing to die while trying to get into. Name another country that can say that.

I have a problem with all these man made laws trying to abolish religion.  The Costitution give us a right to organized religion and the lawmakers of this country are trying to take that away from us.  What we need is to have the lawmakers STOP making new laws and simply follow the Constituiton.  We are getting farther and farther away from our own reasons why we left England to begin with.  We are getting closer to having another Revolution, but this time it will be against the government in DC.  STOP making laws and live under the one that was set up and should be governing our Nation.

I was raised as a Christian.  I attend a Baptist church.  But my next door neighbors are non-christian Indians from India and I respect their faith and they respect mine.  In our group of friends, my wife and I have people who are Jewish, Moselm, Mormon, Catholic, and Athiest.  They are all good American citizens and all honorable people.  Why should I force my religious beliefs on them?  This debate is not about religious tolerance, but about religious intolerance.  Let each of us practice our particular faith privately or with people of similar persuasion and stop trying to force a particular brand of faith on everyone.  Religious intolence by anyone should be rejected in our country as wrong and trying to force a set of beliefs on anyone should be just as wrong. 

hm-mm..."prohibit the FREEDOM OF.." - whose freedom? I think the question should be:

A. Are Christians to shut up and not be heard for fear of offending an Atheist?  OR

B. Atheists are sensitives and can't tolerate other peoples opinions but their own?

Just three quick observations - After all the atheists get done trying to quiet the Christians could y'all go after those individuals who play loud and highly OFFENSIVE verbiage from their car radios? Now that IS offensive and dangerous!!!

And secondly Before you go and spend billions of dollars on money changing (no pun intended!) Why don't you go after the insurance companies first!! After all, they don't cover "ACTS of GOD!" and am I sure many people might benefit from that moreso. 

Lastly ~ Who hangs on to money long enough to read it?

There truly are none so blind as those who refuse to see......whose next the Jewish, or Buddhist or Muslims etc.........Bluebird

In a Democracy the majority is supposed to rule.  I'm tired of the "politially correct" garbage and being pushed around by minority groups that want to tell the majority how we should act and what we must do.  That fits God vs atheist , Energy independence vs radical environmentalists , Politicians that vote for special interest vs what the majority of Tax Payer/Voters want , and on and on......ENOUGH!  Be Democratic or be gone.

There is no God above us , is the fond thought of reckless hearts. (Psallms 14:1) Knox translation.  Someone has loosly translated this verse,  "the fool has said in his  heart NO, God !"  Those who do believe should join in prayer for these foolishly reckless individuals.  That is if we Truly Beliee !

Psalm 14:1  of the Knox translation reads; "There is no God above us , is the fond thought of reckless hearts."  And someon has transliterated this simply, " The fool has said, NO, God !"

I dont understand all the trouble....remove it!

God made it clear in the bible that money was not his....it represents a world/society that God did not wish to be a part of.  render to ceasar that which is ceasars, and to God that which is Gods.....

Jesus set up the foundation of separation of church and state......the money never had any business with the motto on it to begin with.  we arent showing God anything by having it there, except a desire to rule this planet.

so I say.....bye bye to the motto!

No one can take away what I believe or know to be true...this world is NOT my home...

The origin of separation of church and state is from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists assuring them that the Government would not control religious practices. That had nothing to do with including religion in politics. We all have a religion. We all have a set of beliefs. If you truly wanted to "remove religion" what would we be left with?

Anyone find it interesting that the more people fight to remove God from our country, the worse things seem to get? Teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, divorce, murder, infant death, etc. Its interesting that by removing the cornerstone of our society the whole thing begins to crumble... I guess its not that interesting, its what we should expect.

Once again, the minority will rule over the majority. What the real problem is that atheist have no morals and anytime they see the work God, they freak. If you don't want to look at the words that by the way are very small, don't look. Don't try to put your stupidity and hate on the majority of Americans that do have moral values.

I say... in large the print and those that hate it like all the mini Michael Moore can move to Iran. They don't believe in God and look how thier society is. Yes.... Those countries that have been founded on God have moral's.

It seems our friend Jack is one of those individuals that is asamed of his history and does not believe in God. Our country was founded on God. Like I've stated before, if you don't like it move to Iran. You see, we true americans have morals.... we believe in right and we don't ram their lefties ideas down our throats by going to court every time their feelings is hurt.

I never thougt that the so few would rule the majority. It's time we stood up for what's right and our history. If you hate it so bad here.... move.

Why is it that people such as phatom hate the word God? No matter where they see it, they want it distroyed. Most individuals that hate the word God live imoral lives. I'm not suggesting the Phantom does, but I'm sick and tired of the individuals that are trying to strip our history because of their hatred for morals.

Once again the so few are trying to ram this down our throats. But guess what, we won't allow it. We all know that most judges today have very little morale's and have allowed the so little to ram laws down our throats. My example is the gay rights movement in California. They have been defeated twice by an over whelming numbers, but yet they still are trying to ram their immoral lives down our throats. There true goal is to remove the word God from anything and everything. This really has nothing to do with State Vs religion but another attempt to bring their cause of immorality to the masses so they can feel better about their lives.

I would just like to point out to those that would have God taken out of our goverment and our schools and off our money, since God has been taken out our goverment and our schools, we have people doing anything and everything they feel like doing in our goverment with no regaurds to the people that put them into office, we have children haveing children,and we have drugs running rampid in our schools, and worst off we children killing children and teachers with no remorse. Our country was founded and The Word Of God and and on the belive that God has a place in our lives and buisness and our schools. Lets take a look at how this country is becoming and think of how it will be when we kick God out all together, in God we trust is what made this great nation what it is kicking God out is why it is becoming what it is.

I'm not surprised that so many voting want to remove "In God We Trust" from anything.  Those doing so are usually bums living off of others who DO work and all they have time to do is sit at home and vote on things or watch for something they can gripe about.  We've removed God from everything else and then we wonder why our country is burning in hell with all of these misfits and thugs.  Nothing this country does will ever surprise me.   

I agree that the Supreme Court has dabbled and changed things unconsitutionally. 

Let the atheists sit down, shut up, and practice the tolorance they are demanding.  As a Christian who tries to celebrate Christmas every day, I endevor to be tolorent with them.  I like to think that God made all men, women and children.  Hopefully one day those who don't understand will have their eyes opened so that they may see.

This Country is blessed by God, and build by Christians in the beginning, that nobody can deny.   Only satan is trying  to do the opposite .

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On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles.

Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States

The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.   If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.

Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished.  Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity.  It was Franklin 's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.  

'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency.

The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means,

'God has favored our undertaking.'

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means,

'a new order has begun.'

At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)

If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully,

you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States . It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery , and is the centerpiece of most heroes' monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks,

yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England . Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning 'one from many.'

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.

Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number.

This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor.

But think about this:

13 original colonies,

13 signers of the Declaration of Independence ,

13 stripes on our flag,

13 steps on the Pyramid,

13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,'

13 letters in ' E Pluribus Unum,'

13 stars above the Eagle,

13 bars on that shield,

13 leaves on the olive branch,

13 fruits,

and if you look closely,

13 arrows.

And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper.

I always ask people, 'Why don't you know this?' Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.

Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the  UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for!

Sorry, but it’s the secular progressives and liberal media that are behind taking God out of American culture, NOT our founding fathers. PLEASE, PLEASE learn the history of our country and our currency before you bloviate about separation of church and state and taking God out of “OUR” country.

I would just like to point out that the separation of church and state was intended to protect the church from government - not the other way around. It was established so that we could have spiritual freedom. It was not meant to prevent God's influence in government.

Doublespeak??  Must be you can't read.

I believe in god, anyone who dosen't can change the chanel if they don't like what they are seeing, reading or hearing. It's the same thing i have to do when i hear rap music or see someone marching with a mexican flag.

My family came to the U.S. in 1785 from France and Ireland, but i consider myself an American! This great country was founded on Cristian beliefs and the rights to believe what you want and not be judged on your personal beliefs. Non believers have no right to push their beliefs on anyone else.

If they don't like our money the way it's printed---- let them use some other money that dosen't say anything about god. Maybe even move to that country!

Let me express my beliefs and freedoms with out persecution! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

PUT IN ON MY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently you never read the Declaration of Independance for the creation of the United States of America.  I have taken the begining and end and posted below refering to God.  The colonies were started by Puritains of faith in God so dedicated that they were outcasted from Europe and sent to America.  This is the true history of the USA.  You have the right to protest it without recorse but do not try and take away our rights to acknowledge that there is a God and his people started this country to ensure the freedoms and liberties deserved by all people.

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."...  "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

I agree with you however unless you have a boatload of money and friends in very high places, it will never happen.  America is screwed!

This country was founded on Christian beliefs and on motto "In God We Trust" and now some crying whinning idiots are going to make all of the men and women who fought and gave their lives to protect that belief and motto, all for nothing.

What a slap in the face to our past, and present military men and women and their families who now suffer for the loss of one, or in some cases, many loved ones.

Shame on any one person, group or political faction for even considering that the American beliefs and freedoms should be squashed. 

If our motto offends you, leave this country!

it floors me that one person can take the 10 commandments out of court houses! how long have they been there? and where's the freedom of our speech and being able to pray or have bible study classes at school! now they are complaining about our money, MOVE! go to a country where you fit in better!! i feel sorry for the people with no hope of God in their lives and when they die and everyone will someday they are going to be very shocked when and i can't stress enough because they will stand before God on judgement day and God says to them depart from me i never knew you where do they think ther're going? i sub in schools and satan is attacking our kids- jail house mentality of sagging,drugs,alcohol,parents using our schools as babysitters and the kids are always in iss or ae or detention, i try when ever i get the chance to witness to them but they don't care about their futures! sad very sad because this is our future and you know who's fault it is? PARENTS, they're not raising kids with morals, TAKE YOUR KIDS TO CHURCH!! teach them, spend time with them, care about what ther're doing! because obviously you have too much time worrying about the christians of this world and about mottos and your freedoms! well we have the right to believe in God if that's our choice! let's just say for pretend, even if you die and their is no God (which there is) but you strived while on earth do live your life for him then at least you lived a gret life! but i promise you this if you believe in him you are going to have a most amazing eternity!!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the constitution and our great nation was founded to provide Freedom OF Religion not Freedom FROM Religion...?

Which to me that means you can choose and have whatever religious preference you wish to practice or none at all, without the government imposition.... just as it was in England when depending upon which King was reigning would depend upon what Christian  faith you had to follow....

....but this is just my own opinon

I can see your point. However THIS country was based on christianity. God is a big part of this country. Everything has changed since I as little. We can't call it Christmas...we could offend someone. Then go somewhere that your religion is practiced. Most of us are immigrants. If I chose to move to another country I would adapt my speech and religion to theirs. If not don't come here. I am having to change how I raise my children because I can't offend someone. Please, get over it. I know America is a melting pot. Trust me. Leave our traditions and our way of life alone. People wonder why America is not as strong and wonderful as she once was. DUH !!! It's stuff like this. One person decides "Well, this doesn't suit me. I don't believe in God. So no one should." To them I wish them a very Merry CHRISTMAS !!! God will never leave America, But maybe they should!!

I don't know what the fuss is all about, this is a free country and if someone wants to exspress there opinions then they should be able to. Also, God gives everyone freedom of choice to do everything they want to. So, if some people donot like a saying such as ''In God we trust'' then that is to bad because they are only a minority. And if those people would let God into there lives they would find a joy that compares to no other! and they probably, would not be so concered with such small things. And concentrate on what matters in life, not material things such as: money but real things that do last such as real love and friendship. Because without love we as humans are nothing and even though we all need money to survive God will provide us all when we trust in him and ask for his help.

Let's not forget Roe V. Wade, in which the Supreme Court found a right to privacy in the Constitution even though no one since then has been able to find it. That same right to privacy results in the slaughter of 3,000 innocent humans every day. 50,000,000 since the ruling in 1973.

To whomever that's concerned regarding the phrase "In God we trust" on our currency or elsewhere in the USA.

Our fore fathers that help build this country and put together the law system which we abide by put "In God we trust" on our currency because they feared God and lived by the Holy Bible.  Our law system basically comes from The Ten Commandments which was given by God to moses. Most people understand, don't steal, don't lie, don't murder or kill. daaa.  These laws come from God period. 

So why do we have opinionated people trying to remove this sacred motto from our money, or remove the Ten Commandments from our court houses and other government buildings?

Simple. If there's a God almighty, there's a devil as well. Good, evil.

When Israel became a nation in 1948, that was a very special year for God and his people.  So what else happened that same year?  Our government put laws into effect regarding "separation of church and state". Satan caused this to happen because of his outrage over Israel becoming a nation and blossoming just like the Bible predicted.

It doesn't matter about what people think or what their opinions may be.  What matters is what God says and what he wants because he is The Truth The Life and The Way.

If you have problems with what I've stated here it's because you don't know God or read his Holy Bible.  Regarding the "In God we trust" motto, read our Constitution, our Bill of Rights and our Declaration of Independence.

Why change something that works wonderfully. 

Good luck with the impeaching. Since you obviously don't know that this country was founded on "Godly principals" and the signers of the Constitution wanted to reflect that, the coining of the words "In God We Trust", did not "establish" a religion, that belief is more than 6,000 years old, and I believe, in this case, older than you are.

You want to change something...? Change your address to Iran or Venezuala buttnut! This is America and if you think it will change for you!?!?....you're wrong and wasting your useless life trying!

17% voted to remove in God We Trust.  83% voted to KEEP in God We Trust.  Majority rules!!!  Vote NO to change the Constitution.  Contact you legislators on both of these issues while we still have the freedon to do so. 

I accidently hit the button to remove God from currency and I don't know how to change it..  God belongs there and in this country.  If other people want to come to this country, they don't have to believe in God, but they need to live with it or go home.  When people come to this country it is to make a better life, not shove their lives and beliefs down our throats.  There should be a rule to get in this country.  YOU HAVE 90 DAYS TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE, BECOME A CITIZEN AND PLEDGE ALLEGENCE  TO OUR FLAG OR YOU MUST LEAVE.  Why hasn't this been done yet?    Does anyone not realize how many disasters have been happening in this country.  God is trying to give a wake-up call and most aren't listening.  This country is become all about GREED and it has to stop.  What happened to the say "Our fellow man"?  It is no longer that way.  How much money do people need to live?  It is time America took back America and said enough is enough.  When I think of our new President I am appauled.  He now has a commerative coin out.  OH MY GOD!!!  He doesn't believe in God the way we do and we are in for a rough ride.  GOD should stay on our money and be put back in the schools.  If you belong to an organization (Eagles, Moose, Elks and others) they still have God there.  Do these people know something America doesn't? 

Im not replying to anyone ,,, I just wanted to say something  for a long time ,, and  im sure many have already  thought it if not said it ... But its going to stick in my craw until i get it out ...

   So here we go,  Obama Was brought  in for hopes of change .. from  everything I have read and seen over the internet in newpapers .. listening to others .. there is going to be a change alright ,, But i dont think the people who voted for him really cared to find out  what it was he was talking about ..

   It blows my mind  how other countries  citizens fight beg and  plead to come to America .. not because they have a travling bug .. they want what we have ... God  and  America have gone hand in hand ... it is what made our country different .. it was where our protection came from.  Our Military men and  women  have alwasy  been watched over .. our country ... have we become so vain , thinking we are so much better then everyone else ... even GOD ??   Have we honeslty become so stupid that we can not see what is right in front of our faces.

      America all most all of us supported Bush ,, after 9/11   when he said  we are going to war ,, it wont be easy ,, and  it wont be quick ... and  almost everyone of us  stood up and  said yes...   it goes for longer then we like .. "We want out" ,,," Bush is an idiot" ,, the man has more guts then alot of other Americans I have heard from .

Another thing , why in the hell are we bashing our troops ,, that made me want  to puke .. Our sons and  daughters are out there knowingly putting there lives on the line for us ... the highest price you can pay for anything  is your life ..  People are attacking our military for standing up for what they believe in ,, we all should be so brave! 

Have you you ever thought of what would happen to America had we not had gone in to Iraq and  the other countries to help .. do you honestly believe it was just to help these people in these other countries  to get them on there feet ... NO!!  If we had not had gone in when we did ,, what else do you think would have been attacked ..  what are Americans chickens  anyone can kill thousands of our innocent citizens and  we will do nothing ??   If there was a bully at school picking on your  children .. would you sit there and  do nothing?  and  if so would anything  get fixed .. Come on America where is your pride,your guts.. Our god .. Think about what is going on .. God was in America long before the non believers .. we cant affend anyone by saying a prayer , the pledge .. our money is offensive??   what about affending me because I believe ..  America as a whole .. there are more believers then non believers .. but we are worried about affending non believers.. if you dont like our Money .. leave I know there  are other countries that do not have god on there money.. why are you not living there ?? you  dont like our Pledge.. leave .. I know there are other countries  that do not have that  either ...   and  for god sake dont run for President !!!   God Has been with us as American for longer then any of you have been alive.. suck it up   or find a place you can go and  not be subjected to goodness love and  blessing god has to offer .. we do not need to change our country so more non believing minorities  can feel comfortable. 

Watch the news .. one night .. we are turning  our backs on God the farther we go .. the worse it is getting..    A famous man once said " Father please forgive them for they know not what they do "   do you think it will work twice ?

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Thanks. JD

I read some of the comments and what saddens me the most is that a person who more or less called the bible garbage. While I am not the most religious person, I was educated in a Catholic school and they taught us immediately to seperate science from religion. While, due to scientific fact, I believe the bible can be questioned, I do believe there is something greater than us (people) out there. I believe this belief helps some of us maintain a sense of morality and struture. I understand because everyone and their mother in the U.S. now has tonssssss of different beliefs. However, to change something like 'In God we trust' is an insult our country. Honestly, we, this country, was built on that belief. If you don't believe in God, whatever name you choose, then good for you. Seeing His name should not phase you at all. I feel that same way about those who call God-Jehovah, Ahlah(?) and so many other names. Same guy different name. For the most part, I believe the majority of us believe in a higher power. In the states, for our fore fathers, it was God. Some parts of our heritage should be respected and left alone.

The argument for removing "In God We Trust" from our currency is completely invalid, at best.  The separation of Church and State used to make their argument, nullifies it completely.  If they had taken the time to study the Constitution that they quote: and learn the intentions of our Forefathers, then they would know that this is not to protect the State from the Church, rather it is to protect the Church from the State - PERIOD!

This is why the Church is exempt of taxes - . . . . .think about it.

It is my opinion that the State seriously NEEDS the Church and the Church DOES NOT NEED the State.

VERY WELL SAID GRAMMYT!  SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE WAS A AGREEMENT THAT THE STATE WOULD NOT TELL THE CHURCH HOW TO WORSHIP! & NOT THE CHURCH TELL THE STATE HOW TO RUN THE COUNTRY!  God is God no matter what language you speak or how you worship him!   The money we use we use in good faith that it can be used for debts private & public.  Does it really offend you that it has "IN GOD WE TRUST" or are you just trying to push your own beliefs on to the ones that do believe in GOD?

I'm thinking that if many of you don't like the history of this country, what it was founded upon - freedom of many things that you are currently enjoying just by spouting your hatred and discontent here, (ie. speech, religion, etc.), should be looking for a country that is more in tune with your beliefs. There HAS to be one out there that doesn't believe in GOD, personal FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY and the right to be YOU.

I, as a Christian, am not telling you to believe in God, I'm not telling you to how to live your life. But I am sure not going to allow those of you that hate Christians and this country to tell ME how to live, what to believe in, and when to do it. The answer is simple - Find somewhere outside the US borders to live - there is a place for you if you are not happy here. Why should we change for you?

Plus, I'm sure that I won't be seeing many of you in Heaven, because God gives you the choice to believe or disbelieve. The greed and corruption of humankind will be the determining factor in the end. Obliviously that is the way of the world these days.

I apologize for offending you in advance, but I am very tired of hearing how everyone is the minority, being beat upon, being done wrong, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah.  The world is an ugly place, with ugly people doing ugly things. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or whatever, why can people just live their lives and let your neighbor live theirs? Why do we have to change each other - regardless of our beliefs?

Ok, remedial english, for those that can't figure it out.  It is freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.  This means that you can be a baptist, catholic, penecostal, wiccan, or even atheist.  Further you can believe in, but not worship, God.  What the 1st ammendment says is "Congress shall pass no law" establishing or restricting religious practice.  As for the Supreme Court, their job is to judge law based on the constitution not interpret the constitution.  Also they do not have the authority to establish law, ie. Roe v Wade.

Some day we'll ALL meet God face-to-face. Then those you wanted to remove HIM can explain themselves. Then ALL will believe in GOD. Of course for some it will be too late.

I will expect god to explain HIMSELF to me.  He will need to explain why he required such a silly requirement as belief in something that has no evidence whatsoever in order not to burn in hell forever.  He will need to explain why burning in hell is a just punishment for not adhering to his invisible oversized ego.

Okay, first of all, The Lord our God is our creator and he is ALIVE! Why do we sit around and let people put down, mock and say degrading things about Jesus, and yet if someone would do the very same to our parents to whom we were born we'd give them a what for! As far as explaining, the only ones who will have to explain will be those who in the end refused to see,hear, and tell the truth. Jesus said"I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME'  People need to remember this. There are more people who believe and know the truth the Gospel of Jesus Christ than there are those who say they don't. And if you say you don't believe in God then what are you argueing about? You can't argue something that you supposedly don't believe. Our country was founded on the very principles and beliefs of the Holy Bible. Read the history of our country. Get educated for those of you who say you don't believe and those of you who want to remove God from everything.

This is why honorable and reasonable people need to aggressively question those who are strident and uninformed in their zeal to advance a logically stunted philosophy or position. You erroneously reference confirmed acts of SCOTUS that you probably first got wind of through another blog or another atheist. Try conducting your own learned research to support your argument. The Supreme Court doesn't and never has "established a law"--it is charged with INTERPRETING THE CONSTITUTION, period. We don't always agree with its interpretations, but that does not mean the original tasking order was changed in any fashion. You're fortunate that I, for one, even bothered to address your ridiculous assertion.

Look how Wikipedia describes "God".

The only reasons to object to this are to:

   -- put forth that it isn't true -- ie that the founding fathers did not believe and trust in God    or to

   -- put forth one's own belief that there is no such thing as a God and that this statement is corrosive to one's own belief.

The term "God" is a general descriptor for an omnipotent or perfect or all knowing deity.  The term God does not point to any single religion in particular, though many religions use the term as name for the one that they believe in so I see no linkage of the use of the sentence "In God we Trust" to a particular religion.

If non-believers want to push their agenda over the top of believers, then they should act and ask for a referendum and all should BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE

Pappyopa:  I agree.  We need to follow the constitution as it was written, not as a few whiners would like to change it to suit their groundless whims.   We are a Christian Nation and because we ARE Christians, we open our nation to people of ALL beliefs, or NO beliefs.  That is one of the marks of a Christian.  God Bless all of those who have opposing beliefs, or no beliefs.   Even though they will never open their eyes and see truth, they may live blindly among us as long as obey the law.

So hears the thing, I know Jesus and i'm not really sure He would care if His name were removed.  That word God means something so different now, money means something so different now.  In the Bible the disciples are arguing over whether they should pay taxes (not much changes, right?) and Jesus says, "Well, who's picture is on the coin...give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's, give to God what is God's." So basically God probably doesn't really care that His name is on coins, bumperstickers, T-shirts, etc. It was a way to honor Him back in the day, when most of the founders of the wonderful and unique nation choose to honor Him, maybe to remind themselves Who have them their freedom (read the book 1776).  But now, since many in this country, or those who need to protest so much, don't really choose to remember or want to remember how we got here...then what's the big deal of taking it off the coin, it's the fact He's not in our hearts that is the bigger deal.

Our government does a lot of ass backwards @!$%#, we are supposed to be a free country but woman don't have a right to have an abortion without some people thinking it is their business to step in on that. We have always said that all men are created equal, but blacks were slaves and blacks and women couldn't vote, while this was our motto. They want seperation of church and state and then say in God we trust, and get pissed when someone claims their right to religious freedom. If we are free why does government get to decide who gets married, gays are considered 2nd class citizens. It's funny that when people point out the contradictions of the government and what is written in the "documents" people get up in arms. These documents are pretty outdated, they were written by a bunch of guys who owned slaves, treated women like @!$%#, allowed child labor, hung people over hearsay and were religious freaks, they didn't have an understanding of how most things work because of the lack of technology, they did wierd operations on people and had bizarre "cures" for ailments because they didn't know much about anything, they even thought the world was flat! And we in the 21st century still think all the crap they came up with is still 100% relevent today? They were all a bunch of war mongers anyways all they ever wanted to do was fight and kill.

The smart thing here is too find a legal means to eradicate and or dismantle the ACLU.   At one time they were of some help and now all they do is cripple this Great Country of OURS on a daily basis ( so it seems).  The general population can manage without them.  We have the internet and etc., to bring people together as needed.  This County of OURS needs God in all we do not Radicals!

Our fore fathers came to this country to seek freedom of religion, speech and other freedoms which we have enjoyed through the years. Yes, the verse "In God We Trust" was inscribed on our coins in the last century the country was guided by God's believing people who intended for God to be a major part of our new Nation when they wrote the Constitution. It is <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> preposterous for a minority of unbelievers to preach and force their <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> atheist ways. I am not a hard religious person but I do believe in God and even when the national <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> anthem was created it included God in it so why do we want to push God aside because a small percentage of unbelievers don't like having "In God We Trust" on our money currency. I am sorry but if it was to go for a vote I am certain that the majority of our nation's citizens will vote to keep God's words in our country's emblems and seals. Those who do not believe in God can just get over it, that's life.

The constitution should be has it is, and not changed

Since we have taken prayer out of the school system, crime has risen, theft has risen, illiteracy has risen and as we know the world has become such a better place-"NOT"This is a religious war going on-and for a couple of people we have to make the change-let's bring it to a majority vote-clearly the numbers reflect the sentiment of the country not a select few.

This man needs to focus his energies on the declining market of Sacramento, namely Elk Grove-perhaps our monies are better spent dealing with the state of the economy.  I am tired of his retiric- where are my freedoms when another takes them away? 

Bug off! 

i still say in god we trust.

"In God We Trust" should remain on our currency. It was the basic belief of our founding fathers.

Why would removing " In God We Trust" be a problem? The United States of America is the melting pot. Religions and Nationalities from all around the world. Think of the pledge of alegance that you have to say in school. "One Nation, Under God". I have never believed in god. I am not an atheist but one all powerful god is not part of my belief. When I was in school this saying made me wonder, If I am not "Under God" am i still a part of the nation? Why do we have to make children feel this way. The seperation of church and state should be upheld because without it there is a seperation between the christians of the United States and everyone else. If religion was removed from the workings of the State, wouldn't everyone be able to get along better?

With the Universities, High Schools and even our Grammer Schools being operated by Radical Left Wingnuts, its no wonder we have such a disdain in our society towards what is Right.  Now, thanks to Radicals like Obama, Pelosi and that idiot Reed, it's only going to get worse.  I feel that it is time for the Hardworking, Law Abiding, Principled and Decent people of this the greatest of all Nations, to start striking back.  I know, no one wants to talk about it, but it's time for a Second Civil War !!!!

The separation of church and state has nothing to do with in God we Trust on our money. The separation of church and state was to prevent the United States for having a church or the United States like the people who fled England because of the" Church of England" . In God We Trust isn't a church its a motto the colonists wanted because they recognized God and they didn't want a Church of the United States telling them how and when they could worship their God. And what ever happened to the Majority Rules.

i am with all that are not going to let this happen....they took god out of the school and dont let them do this to are money .....if it cant say "IN GOD WE TRUST"  and what is it going to say?"""in devil we trust"? hell no let them know we are not going to take in god we trust off the money !!!

Bravo!!!  Just goes to show you how wimpering idiots can influence society.  If they don't like the money as it is they can stop using it, or; just write checks,or; pay by credit cards, or; make their own money (if they think they can do better without God!), or; leave America!!!

What is wrong with our "so-called" leaders???????  This country was founded on the principle of One Nation, Under God by a nation whose people were from all over the world.  Now, illegals, etc. come into this country and say they are "offended" by our having God on our buildings and money and we are to change it....Will they change their signage, etc. if we go to THEIR country and protest?  These same people come here with no means of supporting themselves and live on our welfare, collect our social security and get housing handed to them....our own citizens don't have that luxuty.  If we go to their COUNTRY will they provided us with housing, food, clothing, jobs?????  Something needs to be done about these bleeding hearts before our country has a new name!!!!!!

...NO Where in the Constitution does it say the words "separation of church and state" !   I challenge anyone to read-it (take your time, it's a Great Document) !

...IN GOD WE TRUST   (all "others" can work it out their own way)

A) The phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear anywhere in the U.S. Constitution.  It comes from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the members of the Danbury Baptist Church explaining that Congress would not establish an official national religion (denomination).  It is only the activist Supreme Court who has lifted that phrase in the drafting of their own laws separating chruch and state.

B)  The founding fathers were not schizophrenic or hypocritical by opening all sessions of Congress with prayer and placing symbols of the Christian faith all over the architecture of government buildings and on the nations coins (and actually holding church services in the Congressional chambers), but at the same time "separating church and state" in the law.  It took the Warren Court (academia and the mainstream media) to introduce that schizophrenia to our national psyche.

C) ANY intellectually honest person must agree that the founding fathers fully intended this nation to integrate it's Christian heritage and the teachings of the Holy Bible into its laws and public discourse.  The only probhibition intended in the Constitution was that the federal government would not endorse or establish a specific denomination as the national religion (as in "the Church of England").

D) It is remarkable that so few see or recognize the obvious correlation between our nation's well being and our adherence to the Christian faith it was founded upon.  As we continue our slide toward secularism, we see financial woes, natural disasters, increasing violence, more incivility, weaker SAT scores, more immorality, broken marriages and broken lives, diminished reputation, and on and on.  Check it out.  Prior to 1962, there had never been two consecutive years of declining SAT scores.  From 1962 to 1980 SAT scores didn't have more than two consecutive years of increases.  Fortunately, in the late 70's, enrollment in private schools (particularly religious private schools) and homeschooling began exploding, eventually stemming the tide of declining SAT scores.  1962 is the year the Supreme Ct removed prayer from public schools.

2 Chronicles 7:14

 I understand where the aethiest are coming from.  Seeing God's name on something makes some people feel a little "condemned." Too bad they don't want to believe in the Bible. They'd know truly why they feel this way. I thank God that I was raised to change my ways when I feel condemned about something. That's God's way of showing me what's right and wrong. I would be afraid to dishonor God. Besides, the peace he gives me inside, when I need it the most, is far more than this world could ever give me. I wouldn't trade my God for anything in this world. I've never found anything to compare it to.

I am weary of minority rule. As an American, I believe in the traditions our forefathers established for us as a nation, I believe in God and I don't want that belief to be threatened by those that don't. Why to those beliefs have to be removed from the language, our schools, our government properties, etc, etc because the minority find them offensive? This is supposed to be a free country and it was established by those who believed in God.

There is a very simple way to answer the question "should the phrase "in God we trust" be removed from our currency."  The bottom line is, this is a democratic country so take a vote.  If the majority believe it should stay on there, then it stays. Period.

"Do you believe in God??" It is that simple, and that is the question !! If you do , then its a "no brain-er" on the other hand if you don't , IT IS STILL A NO BRAIN-ER!!

   Our founding fathers did believe In God and much of our patriotism is founded on the protection of that belief and the right to worship as you please, and to whom you believe in , and even then because of a belief in that same God of our fore fathers.

   For those of us that believe, our country has asked God to leave just about every other aspect of our collective lives from schools to government. Again this  for those of us that believe, do we still sit by and let this happen. Its "very thin ice" by allowing God OUT of our country. Still, others do have the right to assemble and worship to whom and to what they believe in. That is the GREATNESS of our country. If we allow a few to"Kick" God out we will get just what we deserve. On some levels we already are. "If MY people will turn from their evil ways and ask for MY forgiveness, I will heal the land........". Exactly, what is so wrong with that for those of us that believe. "Thin Ice" my brothers and sisters, "THIN ICE"

Well said.  We must keep God in our country or loose out country.  In God we trust

in homes, schools, public buildings, money, showing on our vehicles.  I'd rather

live as if God exists though I learn later He doesn't - than live as if God doesn't

exist and learn later that He does.  What a difference in quality of life!  I really

like quality in life with God.

You do realize that "In God We Trust" didn't exist on our currency until the 1950s's, right?

Jack Huang (#1.8)

That is not true!

The first paper currency bearing the motto entered circulation on October 1, 1957.

But, IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin.

HISTORY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST

I totally agree with all who support keeping "in God we trust" on our  currency.  In my opinion, there is no discussion worthy of anyone claiming to be an "American" . Changing the currency will not get rid of God. He remains the ONE who is control of the universe. Like someone else said, if people don't like the way our currency looks, they don't have to use it!

This conversation being held is one of the best I have been privy to in quite a while. Sadly enough all it took was hinting at the removal of something we all don't really pay attention to but feel comforted knowing is there. The best way to split a people is to say things from within which will devert thier attention from the real problems and redirect it towards themselves. If this is an act of the "Anti-Christ" he read the Art of War by Sun Tzu. I beleive this is but one of many attempts to destroy the Costitution

Care to count how many times the Founding Documents reference "God"? Once. Total. You'd think that a nation founded upon explicit religious principles would mention the big guy's name a few more times.

Jack Huang (#1.8)

I think you need to knowledge yourself before making ignorant statements. Can you let go of the hostility for just a moment and try to understand the logic behind this, please? You may learn something.

Nowhere in our Declaration or Constitution is anything "hammered home." To deny any part of the Declaration means you would need to deny all of it. Just because it is not something you believe, doesn’t mean it’s not true.

The mere fact that GOD was mentioned at all says all it needs to say.

In The Declaration of Independence God is mentioned twice. "the Laws of Nature and Nature's God," and the famous line about men being "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights."

The Constitution of the United States of America makes no mention whatever of God.

(If I am wrong, please point it out to me.)

People need to knowledge them selves on the difference between "GOD" and "Religion," they are not one in the same.

A religion is a set of stories, symbols, beliefs and practices. It is the beliefs and teachings of the Bible by man in which religion was founded.

Read about religion here.

"For the many Jews, Christians, and Muslims who argue that they all believe in and worship the same God, their arguments are based largely upon the fact that they all share a common set of religious traditions. They all follow monotheistic faiths which grew out of the monotheistic beliefs that developed among the Hebrew tribes in the deserts of what is now Israel. They all claim to trace their beliefs back to Abraham, an important figure who is believed by the faithful to have been the first worshipper of God as an exclusive, monotheistic deity.

Although there may be a great many differences in the details of these monotheistic faiths, what they share in common is often a good deal more significant and meaningful. They all worship a single creator god who made humanity, desires that humans follow divinely-mandated rules of behavior, and has a special, providential plan for the faithful."

Now, are we clear between the difference of GOD and Religion?

Here is the reason for the separation of Church and State.

Letter from: Thomas Jefferson to Danbury Baptist Association

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and State."

In simple terms. Our government can not tell us, or pass any laws stating we have to be, Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Protestant, etc etc.

NO WHERE in The Declaration of Independence or The Constitution of the United States of America does it say "The separation of GOD and State!!

You cannot deny the fact that mentioning GOD twice at the beginning of The Declaration of Independence that this country was founded on the belief in GOD.

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence

When I came to this country 53 years ago, I liked what I saw, especially the instruments that are being used to pay my labor which in turn I can use as a legal tender to pay for what I want.  So for those who do not like the caption "IN GOD WE TRUST" printed in our American $$,  open your wallets, purses and bank accounts and clean them up so that you won't ever have a problem of dealing with it.  There are thousands of charitable organizations in this country that would gladly accept your donations and relieve you of your miseries. 

  ---- Importance of Morality and Religion in Government ----
 
John Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Second President
of the United States

It is religion and morality alone which can establish the
principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only
foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.

We have no government armed with power capable of contending
with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . .
Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious
people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any
other.

The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property
is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a
force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and
tyranny commence. If "Thou shalt not covet," and
"Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven,
they must be made inviolable precepts in every society,
before it can be civilized or made free.

-------------------------------------------------------------

John Quincy Adams

Sixth President of the United States

The law given from Sinai was a civil and municipal as well as
a moral and religious code; it contained many statutes . . .
of universal application-laws essential to the existence of
men in society, and most of which have been enacted by every
nation which ever professed any code of laws.

There are three points of doctrine the belief of which forms
 the foundation of all morality. The first is the existence
of God; the second is the immortality of the human soul; and
the third is a future state of rewards and punishments.
Suppose it possible for a man to disbelieve either of these
three articles of faith and that man will have no conscience,
he will have no other law than that of the tiger or the
shark. The laws of man may bind him in chains or may put him
to death, but they never can make him wise, virtuous, or
happy.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Samuel Adams

Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will
secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners
are universally corrupt.

------------------------------------------------------------

Fisher Ames

Framer of the First Amendment

Our liberty depends on our education, our laws, and habits
. . . it is founded on morals and religion, whose authority
reigns in the heart, and on the influence all these produce
on public opinion before that opinion governs rulers.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time;
they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose
morality is so sublime & pure, and which denounces against
the wicked eternal misery, and which insured to the good
eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of
morals, the best security for the duration of free
governments.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Oliver Ellsworth

Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court

The primary objects of government are the peace, order, and
prosperity of society. . .  To the promotion of these objects,
particularly in a republican government, good morals are
essential. Institutions for the promotion of good morals are
therefore objects of legislative provision and support: and
among these . . . religious institutions are eminently useful
and important. . . .The legislature, charged with the great
interests of the community, may, and ought to countenance,
aid and protect religious institutions—institutions wisely
calculated to direct men to the performance of all the duties
arising from their connection with each other, and to prevent
or repress those evils which flow from unrestrained passion.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Benjamin Franklin

Signer of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations
become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the
more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs
in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can
rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the
Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they
labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I
also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed
in this political building no better, than the Builders of
Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests;
our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall
become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what
is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate
instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom
and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers
imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our
deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before
we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy
of this city be requested to officiate in that service.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Jefferson

Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Third
President of the United States

Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth
itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act.
And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under
any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable
thing, however slightly so it may appear to you. Whenever you
are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to
yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world
looking at you, and act accordingly. Encourage all your
virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an
opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain
strength by exercise, as a limb of the body does, and that
exercise will make them habitual. From the practice of the
purest virtue, you may be assured you will derive the most
sublime comforts in every moment of life, and in the moment
of death.

The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the
happiness of mankind.
 

I concur with the author in considering the moral precepts of
Jesus as more pure, correct, and sublime than those of
ancient philosophers.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Henry Lee

Signer of the Declaration of Independence

It is certainly true that a popular government cannot
flourish without virtue in the people.

------------------------------------------------------------

James McHenry

Signer of the Constitution

Public utility pleads most forcibly for the general
distribution of the Holy Scriptures. The doctrine they
preach, the obligations they impose, the punishment they
threaten, the rewards they promise, the stamp and image of
divinity they bear, which produces a conviction of their
truths, can alone secure to society, order and peace, and
to our courts of justice and constitutions of government,
purity, stability and usefulness. In vain, without the
Bible, we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around
our institutions. Bibles are strong entrenchments. Where
they abound, men cannot pursue wicked courses, and at the
same time enjoy quiet conscience.

------------------------------------------------------------
Jedediah Morse

Patriot and "Father of American Geography"

To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree
of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which
mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of
Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican
forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them,
must fall with them.

------------------------------------------------------------

William Penn

Founder of Pennsylvania

It is impossible that any people of government should ever
prosper, where men render not unto God, that which is God's,
as well as to Caesar, that which is Caesar's.

------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Supreme Court

No free government now exists in the world, unless where
Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the
country.

------------------------------------------------------------

Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence

The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is
to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue,
and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is
the object and life of all republican governments.

We profess to be republicans, and yet we neglect the only
means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms
of government, that is, the universal education of our youth
in the principles of Christianity by the means of the Bible.
For this Divine Book, above all others, favors that equality
among mankind, that respect for just laws, and those sober
and frugal virtues, which constitute the soul of republicanism.

By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their
moorings upon all moral subjects. . . . It is the only
correct map of the human heart that ever has been published
. . . . All systems of religion, morals, and government not
founded upon it must perish, and how consoling the thought,
it will not only survive the wreck of these systems but the
world itself. "The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against
it." [Matthew 1:18]

Remember that national crimes require national punishments,
and without declaring what punishment awaits this evil, you
may venture to assure them that it cannot pass with
impunity, unless God shall cease to be just or merciful.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Joseph Story

Supreme Court Justice

Indeed, the right of a society or government to [participate]
in matters of religion will hardly be contestedby any persons
who believe that piety, religion, and morality are intimately
connected with the well being of the state and indispensable
to the administrations of civil justice. The promulgation of
the great doctrines of religion—the being, and attributes,
and providence of one Almighty God; the responsibility to
Him for all our actions, founded upon moral accountability;
a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation
of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues—these
never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered
community. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive how any
civilized society can well exist without them.

-------------------------------------------------------------

George Washington

"Father of Our Country"

While just government protects all in their religious rights,
true religion affords to government its surest support.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political
prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.
In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who
should labor to subvert these great pillars of human
happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and
citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man,
ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not
trace all their connexions with private and public felicity.
Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property,
for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious
obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of
investigation in Courts of Justice?

And let us with caution indulge the supposition that
morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be
conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of
peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to
expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of
religious principle. It is substantially true, that virtue
or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.
The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to
every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere
friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to
shake the foundation of the fabric?

The federal government . . . can never be in danger of
degenerating into a monarchy, and oligarchy, an aristocracy,
or any other despotic or oppressive form so long as there
shall remain any virtue in the body of the people.

------------------------------------------------------------

Daniel Webster

Early American Jurist and Senator

If we and our posterity reject religious instruction and
authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with
the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the
political constitution which holds us together, no man can
tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall
bury all our glory in profound obscurity.

------------------------------------------------------------

Noah Webster

Founding Educator

The most perfect maxims and examples for regulating your
social conduct and domestic economy, as well as the best
rules of morality and religion, are to be found in the Bible
. . . . The moral principles and precepts found in the
scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil
constitutions and laws. These principles and precepts have
truth, immutable truth, for their foundation. . . . All the
evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice,
oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or
neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible. . . . For
instruction then in social, religious and civil duties resort
to the scriptures for the best precepts.

-------------------------------------------------------------

James Wilson

Signer of the Constitution

Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin
sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two
sciences run into each other. The divine law, as discovered
by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of
both.

------------------------------------------------------------

Robert Winthrop

Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by
a power within them or by a power without them; either by
the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the
Bible or by the bayonet.

----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
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Ok so I may sound redneck here but I really don't care. If you have a problem with IN GOD WE TRUST or ONE NATION UNDER GOD, then look away, leave the country or whatever you have to do. By voting to take it out you are voting out the very foundation of your freedom to vote. I am by far not the most religious person on the planet, but I still trust in MY GOD to get me through any trying time that comes in front of me. IN GOD WE TRUST is here to stay. Even if you succeed in having takin off of all new currency being printed, it will still be on all old currency, which will not be outlawed just because of something it says on it. You will be looking at it for the rest of your life. Get over it and stop being drama queens looking for attention.

The humorous thing I find about all of this, Is that the religious groups (christians) are all up in arms about this. Would it be as important to them if it said " In Buddha we trust"? Cause as we all know and hear EVERYDAY their god is the ONLY god.

Sorry kiddies, there is a new God in town and his name is Benjamin, or Grant, or Washington. Oh yeah, remember that commandment, have no other gods before me. The All Mighty Dollar has become the one true God in this country, heck it even has people fighting about what should be written on it. WHO CARES!!!! it's a piece of paper, that most americans don't even carry anymore. What's next, a Cross on every Visa, or maybe a pretty white dove with a branch in it's mouth on an American Express.

Why must other believers be forced to pay homage to your god? You don't to theirs. And please do not try to claim this country was founded on christian beliefs because then you are just showing your true ignorance for our fore fathers. Check your facts and History on how much Franklin, Adams and Washington HATED the christian Church.

Amen

An Athiest is suing the government for something that he believes does not exist...

If he does not believe in God then the word God does not appear on the bill... to him it must just read "In _ we trust"  ...so does he also not belive in "we" or "trust" or does he not believe in the United States of America where EVERYONE has free speach.

It should be a majority vote... In God I Trust! ...My name is Melissa Leone, I have been Pagan for 15 years and I approve this message!

There is no such law stating that there is a separation of church and state. 

Note also that our country was founded by Christians, and as we move away from Christian values, we can see the consequences.

God help us!! 

Our country has cherished and have been proud of the phrase In God We Trust.  If you are a believer it is reassuring that our country understands that God is in control.  If you are an atheist you certainly don't have to believe in anything but the words so it should not influence them at all.  They are certainly welcome to feel any way that they would like but for the majority of our country In God We Trust should remain. 

Plain & simple truths - to any atheist- if an airplane is going down and you are in it or if you are in a burning building, or in a car accident about to  happen-"God help me or Jesus" will be the first words out of your mouth !!!!!! Enough said.

So you want the separation from church and state.  This country was founded through God.  Don't believe me- read your history.  People came here because they were persecuted by their leaders for their beliefs.  If not for this maybe you would never have been born.  Think about it.  Everything that has gone wrong in your like, who do you blame.  Everything that has gone right in your life, who takes credit for it?  If not for God and your belief in a God where will you be today?  Who holds you up when you are down?  Who can you talk to that will show you a path for you to take, whether it is good or bad for you?  Where do you suppose your conscience comes from?  Your inner self?  Do you think you do it all by yourself?  How about guilt?  Is this yourself talking to you?  How about good feelings after doing something for someone without gain for yourself?  You?  This country was founded on God's principles not from someone like yourself.  God stays!!!

You are absolutely correct... If the name of our Creator is so offensive could it be because of the condition of the heart? I was convicted of my sin by The Words of God.(The Bible) If He is so not relevant what is the problem?

If you really want complete freedom...become free in HIM. Amen

This was a poorly written question.  I meant to vote to remove it.  Fotunately I was able to vote twice.    I am NOT rabid about it, I won't be picketing,  but I do resent the way the religious nuts...not including the ordinary religious...trying to force religion down everyone's throats and this addition, (which we did NOT have in our early money) they feel  gives them license to ruin our constitution!

14 % of our country are atheist (which is NOT a religion as the one sided  religious try to think). Much of the rest of the country are varying faiths.  And early in our history government was asked to save us from self serving religious deviates  who insisted only people of their faith could be hired in their comunity...kinda like in the middle east now. Also ministers and preachers did NOT want the government being THE religion instructor!

The government or anything of England  was obligated to belong to the King's Church when we were SUBJECTS to the king!

  Remember!   People were coming here to ESCAPE the Inquisition!! I feel we almost had one during Bush II and inquisitors were all over during Gingrich and Fallwell!  We had a different Inquisitioon during McCarthy!

From: "Our country was founded on Christian-Judeo principle, not Islamic Law - but unlike Islam, we welcome those of different religions to practice or not as their own conscience dictates. You moronic liberal would have to not only change the currency, but all historical documents as they relate to our country"

No it was based on English common law.  Find me juries in the bible, for instance.

 If you would like to read the history for why the Bill of Rights was formed you would understand that mob rule was taking over the country, anarchy reined in places, and mobs were taking over supply stores and religious were keeping people from work.

 The discussion of the separation of church and state was a businesslike, pragmatic, and dry.  You know why?  They were ordinary understandings at the time.  It was an acknowledgement of privacy in religion and of the insane idea that only members of the church of England could work or have jobs.  Look up the notes of the constitutional congress to read how it really was discussed.   I appreciate your heart in the matter though!

  Look up Steuvant the governor of New Amsterdam and his attempt to send the JEWS that fled back to the Inquisition!  You'll understand why there is ALWAYS a seperation between church and state without it even having to be written in our Bill Of Rights.   V

I agree with Pappyopa 100%

You need to actually read what our forefathers meant when they coined the phrase "separation of church and state".  It has nothing to do with political viewpoints of church run society as opposed to that of state run.  All this has been taken out of context and allowed to blow up from there.  I have read the documentation word by word and it's extremely glaring how it has been twisted by the media and others to make their point seem valid. 

You can see the erosion of our culture by taking away the concepts

of "absolute truths" and "moral right/wrong".  These guide ALL people

to live within boundaries. Yes we have boundaries and limits! We must ALL

adhere to!!  This foundational way of thinking seperates us from from total

chaos just as the Romans experienced many years ago.

I left Nazi Germany, aged 9, 3 weeks before WW2, after 5 years of continuous propaganda alleging semi God status on Adolf. Despite the war years in England I was still stunned when on Monday April 30th 1945 Hitler was dead, my faith shattered. Hence, I view the existence of gods as pure self deception. Yes, remove "In God we Trust" where-ever it occurs, not because bankers are trying to limit our rights but because there are no Gods. I refer the reader to a book by Harry Triandis, 'Fooling Ourselves', published by Praeger, Westport, Connecticut last month. I was selected to critique the book, see page xxvi. Then, please review your thoughts on this subject.      

How do you respond to the claim that money is issued by the Federal Reserve - which, despite the name, is not a part of the federal government -  and is thus not under jurisdiction of the federal government, thus the motto is not unconstitutional?

I believe the motto should stay.  This country was built on this.  I believe if people do not like the "in God we Trust" on our money, then take the money away from those people then they will not be offended.  These same people have been spending this money all these years and it hasn't bothered them, so take it back then maybe they will feel better.  I've always been taught that if you don't like the way things are run here, maybe you need to go where they do the things you like.  If it offends you, don't spend it.

While you're at it why not have the words "God" and "creator" removed from the Declaration of Independence.  It could read:

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's Big Bang entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their pre-evolutionary explosion with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Doesn't quite have the same ring does it?  Seriously, our founding document says that our rights come from our creator.  If there is no creator then we have no rights, correct?

well since there is no such wording (seperation od church and state) in the constitution, this is a no brainer, no violation, no harm... don't like it? to bad, deal with it

I`m Amazed !!! You should run for congress with all the double talk. My law is with God and not with what our goverment rules us to . We are a country of majority rules in democracy. We hold true to our values and respect others who are apart from the majority. Non belivers stept aside and belive what you want if anything. Taking in God we trust off our currency is just one more move to tell and supress us belivers to comfrom to you . Bull!!!! This country was formed with freedom of Religion and speech.  Go ahead and believe wht you want. When this country takes in God we trust off our currency this country really is in trouble!!!!

OUR forefathers that created the constitution, and founded this country made it possible for anyone from any country to enter this country and be free  to practice whatever religion, and belief they want. It seems to be a little selfish and ungrateful to then try and change the very policy written to protect them. Furthermore, if we did take "in God we trust" off of the currency, wouldn't we then all be portrayed as atheists for changing it? By questioning or changing anything so important in our american history I feel will send out a very bad message to other potentially dangerous enemies. To me it says that we can't even get along with ourselves, we are doubting our own beliefs, and yes our country is all messed up. I for one do not want to send that signal to anyone. It makes us look weak.  God is a universal word to many people, to some it means Christ, to others it means creator. There are many Gods. Zeus was a Greek God. Why must everyone think that they are being targeted or snubbed? The constitution was written for everyone, even the people that wrote it had different religious beliefs. Leave the currency alone, leave the constition alone, we should have left the pledge of alegiance alone. If we do not we will be sending out a very Loud and clear message, and that message will be that America is weak and messed up and will leave us vulnerable.

Well, here's my spin on things:  Personally, I believe this country has spun of it's axis.  If memory serves me right, it's the majority that makes the rules in the end, not a bunch of loudmouths.  We've gone way too far off the mark with this division of church and state business.  I don't thnk the other end -- the loud born again folks are any better either.  It's never been about feast or famine.  It's about somewhere in the middle.  Those minorities on each end will be uncomfortable, so what?  It's time to get things down the middle again and go about more important business rather than who is praying in "government" buildings (this includes schools).  Just my opinion.  Claire (An old-timer)

I totally agree the Supreme Court is just to tell Congress if a bill is constitutional and not making laws.  That is the big problem in the US now those 9 men in Wash. DC have been making laws not doing the actual job.  The term separationof Church and State is not even mentioned in the Constitution.  It was in a letter wrote by Thomas Jefferson almost 12 or 14 years later.  So the term under God is in the constitution and should not be taken off the coins it has been there since the beginning of the US

Amen.... the Atheists are fortunate they're in a country that allows them to practice whatever they please. Now, they could go somewhere that "beheading" would be in order for their "choice"...

I'll state up front that I'm not a Christian, so I'm not professing to any special understanding of the Bible, and I'm really only introducing this idea to hear what Christians think about it.

One thing I'm surprised I haven't read about on this topic (sorry if I missed it) is the consideration that printing God's name on currency is actually disrespectful...

What does religion have to do with finance and currency, anyway? It seems to me that invoking God in the worldly arena of money and trade is a strange way to honor God, since in my understanding God is supposed to be above all that. Matthew 21:12 says, "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves..." Now obviously I am not a Bible expert, but to me that means God wants buying and selling to remain separate from worship. So why is there a worshipful phrase ("In God We Trust") on our coins of the realm?

Here's what Teddy Roosevelt had to say (in a letter to William Boldly on Nov. 11 1907: "My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege...It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."

Since I'm in favor of abolishing references to God in our temples of justice, legislative halls, pledge of allegiance, etc., I don't agree with Roosevelt in general; however, I wonder if his words can provide fuel for this idea that God and money is actually a wrong combination from a Christian perspective.

keep in mind, that as we we're gradually taken off the gold standard, that it was inevitable, that faith in the soundness of our monetary system became the standard of value. every piece of currency should state " in gold we trust" but we have long ago been robbed of this standard. agent voltaire

Gods and Devils are fictional characters that people make up by the thousands, like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Just as surely as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are not real people, Gods and Devils are not real beings. The Motto of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA says that its citizens trust in a silly fictional character like Mickey Mouse. How do you think that makes us look? What does that tell you about the intellectual caliber of our citizenry. Is it any wonder that we cause world recessions with ponzi cons like variable interest mortgages and then give ourselves billions of dollars in taxpayer money bonuses and get away with it all?

Missy-422761 wrote: "I am overwhelmed that 51% of online voters are voting to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency. I am saddened. I see OUR country becoming more and more divided. I do not believe that this was the intention of our forefathers. I believe they founded OUR country on basic religious principals that are now being cast out like yesterday's newspaper. I turn on the radio, and I hear "freedom of speech" abused, and our children, our future, our society is suffering. Every corner we turn, "freedom of speech" has gone so far beyond its original purpose. Basic principals of decency are being overlooked because we have the right to overlook them. I hope that my children and our children will help to rebuild and restructure OUR nation UNDER GOD, and TRUSTING IN GOD, and that decency will be restored through their strength and courage of knowing the difference between right and wrong. Religion is only a small part of the battle, but it is one of the most important building blocks of OUR nation."

I am also disappointed by the way the nation is being divided by this issue. This is happening because this a clear violation of FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

It is and always has been a clear violation of the seperation of church and state. It should not be in the pledge and it should not be on the money. If you want to read about your god, go to your church and leave my hard earned money out of it.

How does your hard earned money have anything to do with the Pledge other than you spending it trying to get people on the band wagon to remove it????

This is an obvious attempt to use cultural hot button issues as a method to sew division. The political Right in the United States learned how to split the progressive majority into fragments using this technique back in the 1970's, and I think it is time we stop falling for it. I urge all of you to ignore this nonsense and focus on taking our country back from the corporate Fascists that have hijacked both political parties.

Those of you who believe the founders could have even anticipated this level of appathy by Christians, that believe a discussion like this to take place, are very poorly founded in your history. That is the current state of our educational system for you. Try reading a little history about what the true intent of separation between the church and state was really meant to prevent then try again. You're correct in saying the Courts have it wrong, but you went the wrong direction if you follow the founders thoughts and intent.

In God we trust was placed on US currency not because it was fashionable at the time, but it was a belief/faith that our forefathers believed in and it should not be discarded like old bath water. There are so many things in this world that the average person cannot depend on but that should not be the situation with a phrase that has survived for over 200yrs. To remove that phrase would call into question the very idea of this country and in my opinion would have devastating results.

I'm surprised how little Americans know. To take what Jefferson wrote out of context and apply it to met the needs of ones personal issue. I agree that the U.S. Supreme court has gotten away from its responsiblity and now they are creating the law. Along these lines let us see how the mandate from the people of California gets overturned my the minority. The people have spoken, isn't that the American way...one voice-one vote?

Let's see. Since you can't trust the federal government and you can't trust the churches, who can you trust?

I am not a religious person but If I have to trust someone I prefer its GOD.

You rock!! I couldn't have said it better myself.

If you deny me before men I will deny you before my father(JESUS)This country is in the shape it's in because we don't lean and depend on GOD— In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path the(Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)BIBLE Read It Study It Live It

AMEN, the separation of church and state verbage was never a part of the original constitution. The original founders only desire was to keep any one Church from ruling the Government. Because that is what they escaped from when they came here. That is the only way that any Church should be separated from the Government. All of our Founding Fathers were God Loving and God Fearing men. In fact you had to be in order to hold office. The Separation of Church and State was added much later so that those that were not of good morals and Godly values could make their way into Government Office. The only thing that can save This Country now is if the people turn back to God.

AMEN, the separation of church and state verbage was never a part of the original constitution. The original founders only desire was to keep any one Church from ruling the Government. Because that is what they escaped from when they came here. That is the only way that any Church should be separated from the Government. All of our Founding Fathers were God Loving and God Fearing men. In fact you had to be in order to hold office. The Separation of Church and State was added much later so that those that were not of good morals and Godly values could make their way into Government Office. The only thing that can save This Country now is if the people turn back to God.

I was going to say pretty much the same thing but you said it so much better than I could have. I have never been able to figure how the liberals got, "Separation of Church and State" out of "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or the free exercise thereof." At any rate, good job!

Our currency is a representation of what the founders of this country were motivated by. Let's not forget that. But more to my point; the word 'God' is a personification of the word 'god', which is the older spelling for the word 'good'. The Bible states, "God is good". This inspires all kinds of interest aside, linguistic and otherwise, but the point I am making here is that the monotheistic understanding predates the spelling change. I don't think it is wrong to personify ... Read Moregoodness in order to put religious or spiritual maturation into a personal context; and in fact, considering that "the love of money is the root of all evil" is a blatant fact I think almost everyone can plainly see, a little reminder of what money should be all about is probably more often appreciated than not. Also, because there is a difference between religion and spirituality, it may or may not have something to do with either one or both. That is always up to the individual, never the state.

Troy Boylan

People lose sight of the fact that "separation of church and state" was engineered to keep the state from running the church, and the church from running the state. Since neither of those is the case at this time - people need to realize there's nothing wrong with true patriots displaying their belief in what this country was founded on - faith in freedom, and faith in GOD! We agreed in the constitution to respect your right not to worship our God, but we did not agree to let you take these beliefs away from the foundation of this country. To live in this country - it means taking on a realization that Christianity is the primary religion, and English is the language. Deal with it or move out!

i am neuteral about this i am an agnostic but....

i will say this, it should be in or out and not as the gov is using it. to me it seems that they use it only as THEY see fit and not allow it as THEY see fit as to me a form of censorship.

I think all those people who want God removed from everything should leave United States ! Our four Fathers died and for this cause! How dare these people come out and try to take what we stand for as a nation. I am so tired of having this stuff shoved in my face , go back in your closet and shut up!!!!

You know, I don't claim to be a christian...however I do go to church once in a while. But I think for anyone to want to take the words "In God We Trust" off of anything in this world is just stupid. I understand that this world is made up of all diffrent denominations of race,sex and religion, but who do you think created this world? God, whether you believe in him or not is a substantial part of this whole earth. I'm not saying that everyone should be believe in him, because not everyone was brought up in that way....but don't try and eliminate something that probably 90% of the world has grown up believeing and worshiping. I for one believe in God and thank him everyday for allowing me to wake up and spend another moment with my family and friends no matter how bad the world has gotten. So I think for those atheist who don't like the words "In God We Trust", you don't have to like it, but there are a lot more people in this world that don't have a problem with those words and you should keep your dislikes and opinions to yourself. Stop trying to make more trouble for this world than we already have. We are trying to work as a team not against each other. Find a more useful and realistic thing to complain about. Like starvation, unemployment, child abuse or our government actions. Like the old saying goes...."If it ain't broke, don't fix it". God is not broken, so don't try and change it.

Our country was founded on Christian religious freedom. If you are an atheist and don't like "In GOD we Trust" on our currency, then I suggest you find another country in which to reside which is run by atheists.

In glancing at some replies here, everyone missed the central point. It is not our decission nor the governments (which is us anyway) to remove "In God We Trust" from th currency we use. What most people do not know is tht there is no such thing as "U.S. Currency". Look ata dollar bill, it's a Federal Reserve Note. The Federal Reserve is neither federal (part of the Government) not is it a reserve. It is a Private Bank, thus owned by Private citizens. That's why this topic has never and will never get to the Supreme Court. Do your own research, this is a Fact. It's not 'our' money. We are just borrowing it from a privte bank. The discussion of separeation of Church and State here is moot.

Give me a break. "Take God from our Money" BIBLE: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. It's obvious most people can't follow instructions. Believe as you will, but as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

I wholeheartedly agree that creating a law from the bench which has a separation of church and state is in violation of the Constitution. In fact, the man who coined that phrase, Thomas Jefferson, used to loan out federal buildings on Sunday so various church groups could hold services. He meant that there was a one-way wall to keep your pastor from becoming a shill for the government, but God was never intended to be eliminated from the public forum. This nation was founded on religious freedom and we cannot allow the revisionists to claim otherwise. If repeated enough times, people will believe it is true that the separation of church and state are in the Constitution - it is not.

I have never seen explained any better than this!

Please study carefully the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. I believe that you will NOT anywhere in these 3 documents find the words "separation of church and state." That idea was never part of the foundation of our nation.
What the Declaration DOES contain is the words: "all men are ... endowed by their Creator." So God is at the heart of the foundation of this Nation, and it is He who is the underlying justification for its existence.

In my opinion the fore fathers of this country believed in the words "in god we trust" which is why they put it on the curency this is what our country was founded on. So if you dont like it then leave it isnt our fault that you decided to go off and decide your going to be atheists or what ever you call yourselves this country was founded and set up with this belief. Just because there are a small group of people that dont believe in this doesnt give them the right to challenge it, so there is minority groups that choose not to speak our language so what are we going to do change the language to some different language i mean come on you dont have to be a freakin retard you dont like it dont look at it you are the one chosing to examine the bills and read it, just dont read it it is just that plain and simple.

You are absolutely right on this one. This government is rapidly heading for the same conditions that caused the first American revolution. One of the main problems though is that we can not send these criminals back to their own country, since this is there country. That leaves us with only two choices, feed and house them for the rest of their lives in our prisons, or hang the lot of them.

What part of majority rule (definition of democracy) do the atheists not understand??? They and the ACLU do not make up 51% or more of our population. Maybe, they should look for a country where they would be welcomed!

putting aside the constitution...why is it these people who hate Jesus don't go live in countries where Jesus is not recognized as God? Simply put, they'd hate it. They'd have no voice, no opinion, no medical care, no food and probably no jobs. This is what happens to countries who disobey the laws of God. Don't like it here...go elsewhere. I for one will fight for God and this country...because I know He is what keeps this country great. The rest can get on a boat or a plane, swim, run, anything... just get going out...oh, but wait...that would be too hard for them to live in another country. Better for them to try to recreate that hellish existence here by abolishing God. Abolish yourselves already and get out and take your "intelligence" with you to your cave or rat hole you choose to call home, which would be outside the U.S, where you can finally forget God altogether. See ya!!!

It's quite simple, really. Our country was founded as "one nation, under God". Those for whom this is a problem should simply select a country for residence in which God has no authority. Good luck finding such a place on this earth!!

Et all; Is it not enough to be in an economic crisis (as they say), now to burden our servents of the government with more turmoil than necessary. It is that no one, forefathers included stated "Who's God" just 'God', can we not, as a people who govern ourselves, agree to allow the continuation of the 'In God We Trust'... We are free to worship the 'God' of our choice (religious freedom!) If your belief or disbelief is to change that of anothers... is that not infringing upon someones rights? So, to those who took the "prayer time' out of schools and attempting to change our history and freedoms.... What else will you want to take away from my countrymen whom believe in the Constitution and freedom... no one said to you who believe that 'God' should be removed because you believe it is against our freedoms, truly recognize that the free choice for you to not believe has been hindered? so why force your belief to not believe on others?

'God Bless America"

as a comedian would say at the end of his show "Goodnight, and may your God go with you" of course one night he did say it differently "Goodnight, and may my God go with me". ; )

"God" is a word that gives many different meanings to many different people. I can accept that. While religion has been used to divide and conquer the earth, it also carries a message of love. This is a great paradox to be recognized. In spite of all our intelligence, it is sad that we are such barbarians that we cannot learn to live together in peace. The lessons of peace and love are taught throughout many religious doctrine, although we do not seem to be able to learn the message, as it continually is used for political fodder. So here we are, answering a poll, and killing each other.

Our founding fathers started our country on the faith in GOD. The constituion states that the government shall not force you into a religion. It does not say that GOD cannot be in the government. The beleif in GOD and that JESUS came and died for us is what made this country great we were blessed. Now that the non GOD beleiving people ,Dumbacrats, and the news media wanting GOD out of our government and our country; is why we are going down hill fast. WE were once blessed now because of these people we are slowly seeing GOD's wrath on our country.

The atheists are the minority of our country, and I do not understand why or how they can rule the majority. And atheists that are on welfare, drawing money from the government or whatever...cut them off so they don't have to look at 'In God we trust'. The country would be better off without them.

You are exactly right. To say that this motto on money violates the separation of church and state demonstrates a profound ignorance of what the Constitution really says and the intent behind what it says. Talk to me when you know what you are talking about.

The Bible says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord".

You be the judge!

I agree. The separation of church and state are not in the Constitution. The separation of church and state is a ploy emannating from the Jefferson letter. It spoke of a one way separation.

I am at a loss as to why the Atheist fight so vehemently against something that they don't even think exists. Sound like an action of futility - and dumb. If you don't believe it, why worry about it. Well, I believe, and i'll fight to the death my right to say so and believe it. (And I am betting that someday, I'll have to.) Do we still have free speech in this country or not?

This is part of a Representative Republic. I will not take nor use any hard currency that doesn't have "In God We Trust" on the face. The vocal minority has no right to try to force their will upon the majority. Michael Newdow is a left-wing whack job and he's been unsuccessful in attempting to use the power of the courts to force his agenda down the throats of others.

That's because justices and judges understand that "In God we Trust" establishes no state religion, which is what our forefathers considered dangerous. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion...not freedom from religion. The United States Constitution does not say that you have the right not to get your delicate sensibilities hurt. For the 1st Amendment opponents, just get over it. I and others will pray for you. If you don't like it, that's just too bad.

This is true the court can only hear arguments and rule on lower court decisons not make laws.

I have to wonder though about the Athiests. If they are true athiests who do not beleive in ay sort of higher power then the words "In God we trust" should mean nothing to them and therefore they cannot be offended by it.

Be safe

When this country was founded the separation of church and state was intended to not allow the government to restrict peoples freedom to practice any religion. This recent push to remove prayer from schools and where I live from any city council meetings, is in my opinion the total opposite of that spirit. Atheism is another religious sect that does not believe in a god. By interpreting the laws as they have in recent years, they are actually attempting to promote atheism above all other beliefs.

I believe that the correct path should not be to tell people that they can not pray in school or at public meetings, but rather open up the floor to allow other people present at these meetings the freedom to lead a prayer in their religion as well. If the atheists do not want to partake, they are free to block it out or step out and come back when the others are finished or take whatever steps they need to take to not be offended by the beliefs and the practices of the many.

I would happily sit through a short prayer session with the many prayers of the people that share this country. We could especially use it now!

"In God We Trust"... God is not exclusive to Christians, granted that it could have been Allah or Buddha, but the founding fathers of this country were Christian and founded on Christian beliefs. Now the phrase is not so much to promote a single religion but to be a reminder of history and all the horrific events that have been the result of government's persecutions based on religion throughout history. I think that has touched every religion and every people (religious or not) at some point in history.

If the atheists don't like what the founding fathers did, let them find their own country !

I am really tired of Christians trying to "force" themselves on others! NOTE - I are one. I don't care if someone says Merry Christmas, Christmas tree, In God We Trust on my money, or whatever. My God, my Jesus, my faith will not change. I will ALWAYS pray, worship, love others, and participate in my government ( a Republic, BTW, not a Democracy) as the Holy Scriptures dictate. Everyone else is free to choose what they will. True Judaeo-Christian principles were utilized in the forming of our great nation and the framing of our Constitution. Grave errors of judgment by fallible human beings (slavery, Salem witch trials, etc.) does not negate that fact, just as the "heroes" of the Bible are used to try to negate the validity of the Book. Christians should not hold ANY man above God (Jehovah) save the One perfect Man, Jesus, and Him not above, but equal and the same.

In a nutshell, i.e., I believe abortion is wrong. I will use my rights as a citizen to fight it. The laws, as they stand, exist, so I respect the law of the land, as Christians are commanded to do. But, you will never force me to have an abortion since it goes against everything I believe. Jesus did NOT chase down sinners to convert them. Sinners came to Him and heard the truth.

I'm not an atheist but I do believe "In God We Trust" should be off our currency, public buildings, etc. It is said that we are a Christian nation. I don't know about that. We may have had some Christian folks among the earlier immigrants to our shores but the real question is do we have/want a religiously run government.

I think you only need look at Iran, Iraq, etc. to know we don't want that. Neither are we anything like Russia or China during their times of religious repression. Here you're free to practice whatever faith you like. And THAT is the sole purpose government should have in religion-guaranteeing everyone's right to practice their faith.

My dad taught me a great lesson one Saturday.

I asked if I could go to the movies, he said "sure, go right ahead."

I said, "No, I was wondering if you could give me a ride and a few bucks to get in."

He said, "That's different. If you want to go to the movies that's OK, go ahead. If you want a ride and some money, that's a different question."

I want to be like my Dad when someone says they want to pray in school. I would say, "Fine, go right ahead."

They, of course will say, "No, I want it to be a part of the public day/agenda."

Like my Dad, I would say that's a different question. If you want to pray in school, go ahead. Who could stop you. More to the point who would know. You can pray anytime, anywhere, you'd like.

But the question about school prayer isn't really that. The point is those people want to advertise it, want others to have to be involved because somehow that involvement will save their souls.

That's the role of advertising. If you want to advertise your religion, go right ahead. But the government should never be involved in that advertisement. The only real purpose for putting God's name, likeness, commandements or anything else on any public building, currency, land, etc. is advertisement or a hope to save souls. That is not our government's role. Thank God!

There is a couple of things worth reading- The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Nowhere in either are the words "separation of Church and State"-

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Before the Declaration of Independence and the formation of our Constitution, people's rights were granted to them by their sovereigns (thats Government for you public school educated Secular progressives) ; Thomas Jefferson wrote that our rights are innate within us as human beings, granted by our Creator and not negotiable or revocable. Our forefathers fought to ensure that this concept would live and be embodied in the United States of America. For the record-

FIRST AMENDMENT( NOTE THAT IT WAS FIRST IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS) every word and omission of word(s) were carefully crafted

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

PERIOD-says nothing about what is printed on our currency. These rights were granted by our CREATOR- not any branch of Government including the Judiciary.

I believe that the people who want " In God We Trust" removed from our money, should move out of the United States. Go to a country that will not allow Christianity. The United States was built on dreams for a better country and the right to believe in what you want. But don't shove your crap down our throat. We already let one atheists remove prayer from our school. I can't wait till Christ's comes back and these people stand before God and tell him why you want God removed from just about everything. I myself believe in Christ and would hate to see how my life would have turned out without him.

In reading my choices, I felt the No response was very biased, as any time you equate historical merit to something, people have a hard time going against tradition. If we are looking historically, they, the framers meant to have a complete separation of church and state and it did not give exceptions to money, putting your hand on a bible to be sworn in for testimony and the other ways christianity has invaded our legal system. Read the constitution, it does not say separation of chuuch and state, except for the following..... Poor choice of words by NBC. Clearly, the nay sayer response was written by someone who does not believe "In God We Trust" should be removed.

In God We Trust should not be removed from our currency. If someone has a problem with it they should not use our currency or better yet go to another country that doesn't have thaton their currency. I'm sick of hearing about atheist's rights being violated, what about the people's rights who believe in God! Sometimes the smarter people get, the dumber they act! That's why this country is suffering like it is because more people are forgetting about God. What will they request next, maybe to take be sworn in on a Playboy magazine instead of the Bible!

I would like to comment on this issue from a purely religious side. I can go the political way too as I have done my studies in Poly Sci. From the constitutional side I agree, the Supreme Court has over stepped its bounds. As far as making amendments to the consitution, liberal forces have found loop holes to do such things because they can't get er done honest like.

But in my Faith in God I am told to render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's but to give to God what is God's. For me the government can have my All Mighty Dollar because The Almighty God has my life. The debate is stupid. Stanley Hauerwas has made a good point. The Church in America has made the incredible erring in thinking that as Christians we live in a Christian country. that is all a false hope.. As Children of God we live as a kingdon people. We live in the USA but we live under our God. That does not mean that as Kingdom people, all American in the US are Kingdom people. That is why the Christian message is subversive.

to have "In God we Trust" printed on money first of all is an idolitrous notion that our God is money, and it also gives the weaker Christian the wrong message. Our God is much greater than any coin or dollar bill. God is the creator of the very fiber that money is made out of.

As a Christian who does not feel as though America is not living up to the very standards that our forefathers creater her to be, I'd rather see my Christian faith tolerated by other's and if it comes to it, I'd rather be persecuted than to compare my God to the American Dollar.

I don't expect many of this site to be able to comprehend what is being posted here, because it goes agaist all of your liberal tendencies. Some of you that claim to understand history by using selceted references out of context. Here is what our founders said:

John Adams:
“ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
• “[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
–John Adams in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798

"I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Franklin: | Portrait of Ben Franklin
“ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech

“In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?” [Constitutional Convention, Thursday June 28, 1787]

Alexander Hamilton:
• Hamilton began work with the Rev. James Bayard to form the Christian Constitutional Society to help spread over the world the two things which Hamilton said made America great:
(1) Christianity
(2) a Constitution formed under Christianity.
“The Christian Constitutional Society, its object is first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.”

On July 12, 1804 at his death, Hamilton said, “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.”

"For my own part, I sincerely esteem it [the Constitution] a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests." [1787 after the Constitutional Convention]

“ The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.”

“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus.”

"I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” (excerpts are inscribed on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial in the nations capital)

: The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion" ...and later: "...reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle..."

“ It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”

There have to many men and women who have died to protect our rights and freedoms, to have in "GOD WE TRUST" removed from our currency and coins would only mean that they have died in vein.

The Christians in America for out number the non-believers, so why are we allowing them to take our rights away. It is time for us to stand up an fight so our rights and freedom is not taken away from us.

It they are not happy with what our constitutions says then LEAVE we don't want you here. Our country was build on the believe in GOD an that is the way it should stay.

Our soldiers are fighting so that we can pratice our faith in ""GOD "so why should they die in vein.

I also would hope that our SUPREME COURT JUSTICES would examine the consciences and reverse their decisions on prayer in our school, the removal of the TEN COMMANDMENTS in government offices and court rooms and anyother judgement that was made to remove GOD in our communities.

we dont have any problem spending the money that says "in god we trust" on it so why is it such a bad thing?? we all have some kind of god dont we?

ok well heres a weird thing before i start talking about what i think about this the other day i just said to a couple of my friends

"atheist should not spend money if they believe so strongly that there is not a god"

so i think they should never change it, it has been around since the founding fathers

For people to choose their lives located as an American citizen where our laws are governed for the majority, some of you need to spend your energy on relocating to China.

If you don't want to hear the word God, then don't listen. What are you going to do at death if you are all wrong? The majority of Americans believe in God and this group is getting louder in speaking up to the likes of atheists. I don't throw my belief in God in anyone's face but my own. Why don't you keep your disbelief in God to yourself? If a church should hear about you being in a desperate situation with no where to get help in a dire situation, are you going to refuse this help because they believe in God and you don't? I tend to doubt this.

I have the same feeling about homosexuals. I don't want to hear about your sex life any more than I want to hear about the sex life of heterosexuals. Who you have sex with is your own business and who I have sex with is mine.

Get a job or go volunteer and help make someone's life better. Pappyopa, you have too much energy directed in an area this world does not need.

Is there an example in the world where a country has passed a law establishing a religion? The answer is YES! Argentina accepted Catholicism as it's official religion.

Has The United States of America EVER even proposed a similar law? NEVER. Our constitution forbids it.

So we strain over the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST. We complain about a manger scene on city property. We eliminate prayer from our schools. WHY? No law exists saying these things MUST be done.

The Americans United for Separation of Church and State assert that this nation was not founded as a Christian nation. This seems to be the foundation for many who want to eliminate religious expression outside of a church. While our founders were careful not to reference any specific religion in the construction of the government it is also true that the majority of those living here at that time believed in a Christian faith. These people by virtue of their existence created the DNA of the USA. Like it or not these are this nation's roots.

I would like to make just one observation. The Bill of Rights gave us freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. We should never forget that, even when our athiest brethren impose their own religion--or lack of it--upon the rest of us by banning prayer in school. Removing the phrase "In God we trust" from U.S. currency is one more way the few may impose their will on the many. If there are no athiests in a foxhole, then in these economic times, we should think twice about kicking God out. He may be the only friend we've got.

The phrase "In God we trust" says exactly what I want to say to every politician, political science teacher and/or philosophy teacher, and every Atheist: There is no one or thing on earth that can be completely trusted. Everyone lies; the earth and the universe we are part of are inscrutable-our knowledge of it changes and does not stand still and can never be completely trusted.

The motto, therefore, is the perfect declaration, for anyone who has half-a-brain, that expresses the cynicism an intelligent person ought to have toward government and his fellow man. Whether or not God exists, He is the only thing we can trust.

I also love the motto, sometimes seen in mom and pop stores: "In God we trust! All others pay cash!"

"In God we trust" is a motto established by out fore-father's because that is what they believed and is what I believe.

(1) To remove "In God we trust" from our currency or any traditional oath used by anyone in this country weakens the very foundation that started this country.

(2) To ask a Christian to not profess his/her trust in God is the same slap in the face as it would be to ask a Muslem to say he/she does not trust in Allah

(3) This country is based on Freedom and includes the freedom of religion. As an American, I am insulted by the push to remove God from from this country or it's traditions. If an ammendment is to be had, then we should ammend to include all religeons, including atheism, so no one person feels left out. This, I think, would be more American than removing something that has been the backbone of human civilisation for multiple millenia. (referring to having a religeon, not limiting to just one)

(4) The predetermined answers for the pole to remove "In God we trust" from our currency, I feel, was worded in a way that made me feel like I had to deny my faith just to keep the motto on our currency. Or, further yet, to deny that our fore-father's belief in God as well.

(5) I do not agree, as an American, that our country should be limited or feel as though it is limited to one religeon; however, I feel that the atheist movement is trying to make it that way. Atheism, regardless of technicalities, is a religeon. It is a belief that is being publicised by atheist activists trying to force their ideas on others. I admit that every religeon has done this at least once throughout history. I personally pray for each individual to find God because that is what I feel is right in my heart. If atheists feel that what they believe is right in their hearts then that is fine, I will not force my beliefs onto them. All I ask is they have the same respect for my beliefs.

As a decorated VietNam combat Marine Corpsman, an irregular practicing Catholic, A former Federal Agent, A retired Senior Banking Officer, a former Child Support Enforcement Specialist, Professional Musician, and a very devoted beliver in our Forefathers (without their belief's in God would have never founded our country)

I have the ideal plan: DEPORT EVERY AETHIEST TO AETHIA.......WELL THEN CREATE ONE COMPLETELY ENCIRCLED WITH A 666 FOOT ELECTRIFIED BARBED AND RAZOR WIRE FENCE WIRED WITH CLAYMORE MINES.

Doc Schaaf

This country was founded in the belief in God. If anyone doesn't like it they should move to an athiest country. America stands for freedom in Religon. That is the way it is. If you don't like it .....MOVE.

NOt only was our 1st amendment trampled upon. But what Janie states above is so true. Our founding fathers came to this land seeking freedom from oppression & the right to worship without being persecuted. Why now after all of this time would we want to accept & condone persecussion again. I understand the right NOT to believe in Christ, but you know what, that is the FOUNDATION of this country. Look at what has been happening since we started trying to change things, more violence than ever, kids who don't respect their elders., parents abusing their children. Don't even try to tell me it's due to other things, it's all a ramification of our country trying to divide what our founding fathers fought so hard for!!!

GOD blessed this country with wealth & knowledge beyond any other! Why would we want to destroy such a precious thing?

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State...groups will only post the parts that benefit them. As American, you should know all of it in its entire content!!

The fact that there are are people in the country who want it the phrase"In God We Trust" taken off of the currency does not concern me much at all. My husband is laid off right now and we were looking forward to purchasing a home this year. Personally I don't care if the currency reads "In Buddah We Trust" as long as I can use it to feed my family, and keep a roof over our heads, and hopefully be one of the lucky ones that can take advantage of the government eight thousand dollar credit for new home buyers this year that is where my concerns lie. I kind of like the fact that every once in a while someone will stand up and question the establishment, so to speak, it reminds me that we live in a country where free speech and feedom of opinion, and religious beliefes is allowed. It also reminds me that if someone is going to bring a subject so petty in nature all the way to the supreme court, they obviously do not have any financial difficulties right now God Bless them!!!

It doesnt matter in what God you Trust. It just matters that you trust. And to remove this from anywhere or anything in our country is a violation of your civil rights to believe!

Thank you very much!!! And the Congress should do something about it, that is their job. This would not be up in the air if Congress would just pass a resolution and the Senate do their job as well clarifying for the activists that "acknowledgement of God" is not the establisment of a religion".

Stupid Congress, they think their job is to spend our money!

You might as well trust something since you can't trust people. Why does somebody or people have to come up with waistful garbage just to bother others? Here's one for you tell me how a 40 year old loser, no job no life, gets mad because his girlfriend found out he was a substance abuser(alcohol, drugs(pills and crack), now ex of course, she has a masters degree in teaching, he calls her job to try and get her fired. Wait the best is he is doing this while in police custody(tell me how that happens) and they have to investigate because it deals with children and he calls her mother and tells her mother, on a message, so it's recorded, oh well tit for tat. Oh he was arrested on a warrant for a drug charge from 1995 and blames her but was only with her from May 08-Jan-09. Bogus allegation at her job and of course she has a restraining order on him because he also threatened to kill her and tried to get her in trouble with animal control(also called them while in police custody) because she does animal rescue. You can't trust anyone, people in today's society are evil. In god we trust all others should try to not be selfish. For more information on the 40 year old loser story email:

I will add to what you just said. First, the "seperation of church and state" actually came from Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Church. In it, he assured them that government would not interfere with the peoples choice of religion. That he (as president) would do everything in his power to prevent that and that he would build a a wall seperating church and state. He in fact concured with the constitution. That government would not be allowed to interfere with any religion.

Further, the problem with the interpretation of the constitution comes from one of two interpretations. The first (in which I believe), is that the constitution is a historical document. It is what made our nation great (in such a short time). The second interpretation is that it is a "living/breathing" document. AND as such, it is subject to evolution. Growing/changing. Al Gore said that he believes that it is a living document.

In regards to Judicial legislation, according to my research, our founding fathers made it so they could be impeached for much lesser offenses than what they are doing now. The problem is, when the Warren court of 1963 made their ruling in two cases (removing prayer and the bible from schools), truth became relative. In fact, our founding fathers were so serious about the use of biblical teachings in our schools that they even commissioned the printing of the first american translation of the bible. It is called the Aitken bible and is valued at about $95,000 today. Robert Winthrop (former speaker of the house) said "Men in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the word of God or by the strong arm of man, either by the bible or by the bayonet. George Washington said "while just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government its surrest support.

We have indeed come a very long way from the time of our fore fathers. It is surprising to see that some of them (our founding fathers) even predicted what would happen to America. They said that, "as great as this document is (constitution), if you pair it with bad leaders, it isnt worth the paper it is written on"...

i like the way you think, pappyopa.

I never respond to these but in this case I have to.... I probably won't read any replies, but at least do this. If any of the people TRUELY understood the original intent of this law, it was to PROTECT THE CHURCH FROM THE STATE. Because of all the "Politics" it has gotten turned around to the way people look at it today. There are some great articles on this and here is one of them.

I really don't care either way... To spend the money to print new money just because it says something on it (which no one even really looks at before they hand it over to buy something) is a waste. I rather the money be spent on something useful that the country really needs.

The statement, "In god we trust," does not show any preference or bias for established religous organizations which is the intent of the law. Rather represents the belief that the overwhelming majority of US citizens believe in god. Our nation is founded on carrying out the will of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. Stating we trust in god carries out the will of the majority and in no way forces the minority to practice religion.

I agree 100%. Does anyone remember why the people came to this country in the first place? FREEDOM and to worship as they please.

It is so clear to me that non-christians are very threatened by the name of God (capital "G" please). If they don't believe He exists...why are they trying so hard to erase His name from our heritage? It's time we, as Christians, stand up for our Creator... The minority of angry zealots trying to remove any mention of God have been trying this for 2009 years...but it hasn't worked so far...and it won't work now. Sorry guys...you lose.

It strikes me as so odd to see that reasonably intelligent people are on opposite sides of this issue.

Do the non-believers in God not realize that it was the founding father's faith in God that allows them to even raise such controversy?

The founding father's declared that America was NOT a christian state, it was a state for all religions. Jewish, Muslim, and yes, even those who chose to have none at all.

The non-believers in God should realize, above anyone, that when you start trying to take away from people what is so dear to them, then you become what you say you are trying to avoid; e.g. the Salem Witch Trials.

I, as a christian, am not trying to get any laws passed saying that non-believers can't have tattoo's of Satan or skulls or the reaper, etc. These are things I am forced to look at when I go places. So, why then, do non-believers feel free to try and take away something from people who do believe?

Would you like it if all Christians got together(for which there are approximately 90% of the population) and decided that all non-believers were going to have to take a year of Bible study before they could declare themselves atheist? You need to remember that when you start wanting to take things away from people instead of just being tolerant of others, that the table could very well turn one day and you could find yourself on the receiving end of the injustice.

And besides all that, who cares if money says in God we trust? You don't believe in God anyway. Why can't you just be happy having a good little chuckle at and feel sorry for those nieve people who do? That's what I do with atheist.

If we are really to be realistic, we all have God's. For some it may be money, drugs, work, sex, shopping, gambling, etc. We all have something that drives our existence and is the foundation for our beliefs. Let the phrase on your dollar stand for that.

I am a christian ,very proud of it. I have just one thing to say to all that do not believe:

I know I am right , that is what the Bible teaches me. You however do not know. If I, being right, am going to heaven when I die, where does that leave you when you die?

If my beliefs were to be wrong I would loose nothing when I die. You, on the other hand , if you are wrong , you go to hell, and burn forever.

I choose to believe in my Lord Jesus Christ. He is my savior, my protector, my refuge in a storm. He is my hope, my faith and all loving God.

I do not have hatred for non-believers, I have hope and love for them.

As christians we do not persecute or mock, we lead by Gods example. He loves the sinner, and we are all sinners. But in Jesus we are forgiven.

To me, the United States quit trusting in God a long time ago. Our nation is going through the pains of that now. Things may get somewhat better, but that just will be on the outside. Our nation needs to get back to God, then and only then will we have true stablization.

EXACTLY CORRECT. There is no need for further discussion. Now, how do WE The People, go about Impeaching these arrogant, self righteous Tyrants?

I consider myself a Christian. I'm not very good at it sometimes but it does not change my Faith. Faith is very personal. Do I believe that God is some bearded old man throwing switches and showering Blessings on some and damnation on others?

No, that's Santa Claus. An aside: The establishment of Santa (by Madison Avenue, of course) is a very interesting commentary on a need for some sort of Deity...but don't get me started.

I do not consider myself a "liberal" or "conservative". I don't particularly care for those labels since I would have to take the baggage that comes with them. I choose to pick this from column A and that from Column B.

I voted to keep it.

The "Establishment" clause was in response to England establishing an official "religion". It led to widespread persecution based on other beliefs, which led to an exodus to the New World so they may practice their beliefs without fear of persecution.

I don't think there has been any persecution because we have "In God We Trust" on our money. There is religious persecution but it's due to just plain mean-spirited, paranoid, ignorant hatefulness. Sadly, I think this will increase due to the post-9-11 climate and lines being drawn in the middle east.

If having it on the money bothers you that much...then use your debit card :)!

If that's not good enough.. then take the damn thing off. We have more important concerns that must be addressed and addressed immediately.

It does upset me to think of a child being harrassed in school because of their parents' beliefs and stances. They're kids for crying out loud! They don't know anything about the Constitution or religious persecution and probably could care less. It seems it would be less stressful to reinforce the family's beliefs or non beliefs at home. If they are in constant conflict with their peers due to beliefs and stances then they will be more likely to question and rebel against Mom and Dad's belief system.

Trying to fit in trumps religion every time; if only in their minds.

In God We Trust was established in 1957 in response to the "scourge of God-less Communism".

If we didn't go down the crapper between 1781 and 1957 then chances are we're good for another 200 years or so.

If you still are "enraged" about the motto then try putting more fiber in your diet and get over it.

Interesting point:

I didn't read all 213 posts but ..out of the ones I did read appx 7.5 out of 10 "Yes"(get rid of it) voters resorted to name-calling within the first paragraph as opposed to 3 out of 10 for "No" (keep it on).

You can get your point across without being mean-spirited.

Take "Proud Pagan" for instance.

Very articulate, organized, impressive, intelligent, and thought provoking. The only negative was directed at those who overstated their irrelevant, tired rhetoric. If it comes between soap box and dialogue...then I pick dialogue.

Interesting point: While I believe in Christ, the Son of God I also know that the Yule Log, Christmas Tree, Holly and the Ivy and December 25th all have their roots in Paganism.

On the last one; December 25th was chosen as the birthday of Christ to coincide with the Winter Solstice; another Pagan ritual. Most Bibilical scholars believe the true birthday was sometime in July. (I think)

I may be in slight error on any of the above but I welcome correction.

Q

Let's see, The US Constitution states in the first Amendment...""CONGRESS" SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF.."

And just where in the statement "one nation under God" or "in God we trust" does it establish a religion? I see no reference to Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, or any other religion. No matter what you worship, or decry, the inclusion of God in these references is NOT a violation of the letter or intent of the constitution.

God help us all, including those who have little or no common sense.

I only have this to say:

Our country was founded on the BELIEF IN GOD, & TRUSTING IN GOD.

Taking God out of our lives (AS A NATION) is what HAS BROUGHT US WHERE WE ARE today. Study BIBLE PROPHECY and You will understand.

Of course You MUST believe there is a GOD.

I do! Lets put IN GOD WE TRUST back into our LIVES as a NATION. John 3:16

I have given this topic a lot of thought. I am not a Christian by faith. But I DO believe that the Power above is the SAME power regardless of whether you see it as God, Jesus Christ, Mary, Buddha, Allah, etc. I think it is the SAME power we are all praying to (except Athiests and that is their right.) Therefore, we are all praying to some sort of God. When we do that, we put our trust in that God (thus the meaning of "Faith".)

Our country was founded of freedom of religion... ANY religion. But religion nonetheless. The phrase "In God We Trust" is just a representation that our country values God in our lives. Why remove the phrase from our currency when our country was founded on the belief in God? I think we are taking the whole "Politically Correct" thing WAY too far if we are going to start changing our currency in this manner. Honestly where do we draw the line? AND, who makes the decision on where the line is drawn. Regardless of what or who you believe in, the phrase "In God We Trust" on the currency should not be made such big deal of.

Just my opinion. Luckily in America we are all entitled to an opinion. Have a great day!

- Bippy

I am a soldier so whom am I fighting to protect, the will of the people, or to hold up what this country was founded on by our fore fathers(freedom of religion) or am I fighting for others small interest groups who want to take away my religios freedoms and liberty's.

I would have to say there is going to be a real eye opening or awakening if these little small interest groups continue to be sucessfull in carving up our constitution and a further backing down just to try and please these groups.

I would say to them enough is enough, leave my, yes my country as the way my fore fathers laid it out and founded it on Godley principles and the holy book called the bible which was free for all to his or her on conviction.

When these constitutional rights go away then so does my country and my garentee of my freedom of religion. My conviction is to hold to these standards in my constitution. Yes this my country and yours so watch out "WE THE PEOPLE" may just decide to take our freedoms, and our constitution back to include our country. So watch out, you will one day understand why we are not going to take much more of this immoral tearing down of our country. The political scene will stand aside if this happens because they are in la la land basking in their on interest.

I just have to put my two cents worth in. I am a God Loving, Patriotic American. I served my country in the U. S. Navy for just short of twenty five years, have been a active member of my Roman Catholic religion all my life and I firmly beleive that there should be a seperation of CHURCH & STATE. But removing GOD from our money or from our court houses etc. is redicilious. This ountry was established because of religious persecutions and looking for a place of religious freedoms. Do not the majority of this countries citizens beleive in GOD, and isn't how the average AMERICAN lives their daily lives is with the guidance of GOD and for the greater majority of us, following the Ten Commandments. LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE AND LET US GOD FEARING AMERICANS live the life that our founders meant for us to live in this great country that allows religious freedom. That is freedom for all religions to meet and worship as they wish.

"Should 'In God We Trust' be yanked?" Let me see if I can put this in simple terms.
NO, no, NO, no, NO, no, NO, no, NO, no, most of all, No, no, and finally, NO.

it is very interesting how the country of the world use our money with out hesitation what is the problem to bad that they don't get what they want i always thought majority rules thats how are elective system works they can alwayes move to anywhere they desire but leave our nmoney alone

Well, Missy is sadly out of date, but she'll no doubt be pleased that the Christian nut jobs have spammed the survey and it's now up to 85% Pro "God" (though I don't really see why, if you're a devout Christian, having "In God We Trust" on Mammon's money matters so much to you. don't you have better things to worry about, like the state of your soul?)

But it is nice to live in a contstitutional democracy where our most important rights - to free speech, to freedom of assembly, to the right to bear arms, to the freedom of or freedom FROM religion, separation of church and state! - are not subject to the vote. (At least, they shouldn't be!).

Ultimately, it does not matter whether or not the money says "In God We Trust", but whether or not the money system works! People really lose sight of the important issues when tradition and something people feel strongly about is challenged. And why shouldn't tradition be challenged, after all? Why does the inclusion of these words have to be such a big deal other than that it is tradition and people's strong feelings??? It doesn't!

I received an email requesting that I come to this site to vote in favor of keeping these words on the almighty dollar. The questions were especially worded to raise the issue of separation of church and state and get a public response. Guess what; they created the buzz they desired. Ha-ha on all of us for responding to such an unscientific and skewable poll that they will report as unscientific, but many will respond to as if it was perfectly scientific.

I'm tired of the courts taking our rights away at a wim. Even what has been voted on by the people.

As an individual who does not believe in the existence of any god, and an American Soldier, I take personal offense to "God" being in anything that represents me. It is undeniable that having "In God we trust" on American money (not just money the christians use, yes we heathens use it too) is a misrepresentation of me on a national level everyday. This honestly makes me feel like I'm not an American because I don't "trust" in God.

Many people need to believe in a god, and thats fine. But don't drag any of the rest of us into this "we" who trust in God. Not on our national money or on anything else.

Hey oldcrankyman, The present world-wide economice crisis demonstrates what men can do when they seek to get along without God. How is that working for you lately?

Get over it Atheists! It ain't that big a deal. I am not a Christian. I realized at the age of 10 that Christianity is a myth-based model for living and that I needed to base my life on truth that I can experience today, not on old stories that may or may not be true that are professed to be the word of God. If God were to reach out and communicate directly, he'd get straight to the point and tell it to us in much clearer terms how to lead our lives, and he wouldn't do it in archaic English. But I do believe in a higher power, as do more than 90% of Americans, and don't see any need to remove any reference to God from our government sponsored books, buildings or currency. We could use a little tradition and guidance from our forefathers to help us get through difficult times, which is why religionists lean on their religions. Get over it Atheists!

how dare you want to remove this, don' you people know the effects this nation will go through how can you even think about this, just remember who gave you life and if you are still alive it is only by his grace and mercy what God the Father did trough His Son for all humanity his only begotten Son came to earth to die for all to shed His blood for all of us, just because we choose to do whatever, just recall we are all held liable to go before the throne of glory and respond to our "GOD" for our injustable actions, i will pray that GOD have mercy on this nation, what we have seen happen to other nations for not acknowledging our Heavenly Father. we have no right to take what has taken care of this nation out. estella

Does anyone really think this poll is accurate? It won't be a true reflection of people's beleifs because one side is passionate about this issue (and likely to mobilize and vote on a meaningless poll) and the other side doesn't think it matters that much. I don't think it should be on there, but it isn't gonna keep my up at night, while someone who beleives it should stay on is more likely to be passionate about it.

And for those of you that think "God" works for this country as apposed to another, you've misread you bibles. God loves all people, and his judgement is reserved for the pearlly gates, not here. God doesn't care about petty things such as which country envokes his name on a peice of currency. And if you think he does then you are belittling God. God cares about how you treat other people, if you act with kindness and respect. God cares that you are honest and you take care of your responsibilites. He certianly doesn't care about what symbols you erect to him or how much you pray. It's about doing good work, not saying the right thing.

The United States was founded as a Christian nation. If this was not the case, the hallowed halls of Washington would not be filled with references to God, the Ten Commandments, etc. As for the Bible, God does indeed love all people, but the last part of the book of Matthew, in the New Testament, is clear that Christ's disciples are responsible for taking the "Good News" to the rest of the world. The United States was mightily blessed by God until we forgot that.

In my opinion, when we take the words "In God We Trust" off our money, we better be ready to throw the money away because it won't be worth anything!