Re-affirming our National Motto: "In God We Trust"

In 2006, San Francisco's 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled against atheist Michael Newdow's complaint about our motto "In God We Trust" being unconstitutional and infringing on his beliefs.

He tried to get the phrase which was first put on U.S. coins in the 1860s and on paper money in 1957 to be removed permanently from our currency. He claims it "excludes people who don't believe in God" and that it violated his First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr., said the phrase did not trample on Newdow's avowed religious views. The court found "In God We Trust" to be patriotic, not religious, writing it "has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion."

Newdow appealed to the U.S. Supreme court, but last week it refused to hear him.

A New Resolution
In response to several attempts to strip God from America's heritage, a resolution re-affirming "In God We Trust" as the national motto has been approved by the House Judiciary Committee and is now headed for a full House vote.

H. CON. RES. 274
Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.
-Whereas 'In God We Trust' is the official motto of the United States;
-Whereas the sentiment, 'In God We Trust', has been an integral part of United States society since its founding;
-Whereas in times of national challenge or tragedy, the people of the United States have turned to God as their source for sustenance, protection, wisdom, strength, and direction;
-Whereas the Declaration of Independence recognizes God, our Creator, as the source of our rights, '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.';
-Whereas the national anthem of the United States says 'praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation . . . and this be our motto: in God is our trust.';
-Whereas the words 'In God We Trust' appear over the entrance to the Senate Chamber and above the Speaker's rostrum in the House Chamber;
-Whereas the oath taken by all Federal employees, except the President, states 'I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.';
-Whereas John Adams said, 'Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.';
-Whereas if religion and morality are taken out of the marketplace of ideas, the very freedom on which the United States was founded cannot be secured;
-Whereas as President Eisenhower said and President Ford later repeated, 'Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor, an American way of life.'; and
-Whereas President John F. Kennedy said, 'The guiding principle and prayer of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be 'In God We Trust.': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes that trust in God is embedded into the fabric of society and history of the United States and rejects the notion that the laws and Constitution of the United States require the exclusion of God from matters of government and public life; and
(2) reaffirms 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supports and encourages the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.

Rep. Randy Forbes and two dozen other members are sponsoring the resolution. Forbes reasons, "We will give inspiration that our people across the country need. If we can succeed in getting ‘In God We Trust’ engraved in the United States Capitol Visitor Center, I believe we can succeed in engraving that motto on the hearts of Americans once again."

Several Republicans agree with Forbes, saying God had a hand in founding the United States and is responsible for the nation's success. U.S. Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana said the "hand of providence" has guided America. He continued that God "rewards those, including nations, who earnestly seek Him."

U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa echoes the same sentiment, "I believe the Founding Fathers were moved around like men on a chessboard put in place at that time so the world could have America." If references to God are discouraged in public buildings, "in the end, it wouldn't be an agnostic nation, it would be an atheistic nation imposed by the minds of people who revert to the hard-core left."

Once the measure passes the House, it still is subject to approval by the Senate.

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See original article and references: Bedrock upon which our nation is built: "In God We Trust"--National Motto