In Theory

A congressman has introduced legislation to add the phrase “In God We Trust” somewhere in a new $621-million visitors center at the U.S. Capitol. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) and others were upset when they didn’t see the phrase displayed prominently enough. Now the Freedom From Religion organization is suing to stop the legislation, claiming it conflicts with the separation-of-church-and-state principle. What do you think of the fuss?

Personally, it does not offend me to see the words “In God We Trust” presented anywhere, but I am aware that my own personal beliefs about God do not reflect the entirety of our nation.

I think it is entirely appropriate to see those words prominently displayed in a church (sometimes I feel that I and my church need a reminder of our faith in God and would support the idea of displaying it at Fairview). I, likewise, think it fits well in the context of a synagogue or a mosque.

But obviously, a Buddhist would not feel comfortable with such words, a Hindu might question which god is being referred to, while an atheist might feel completely alienated from any space with those words displayed at all.

Religious communities are free to trust in God and post it anywhere they like within their sanctuaries and private properties. However, I believe that if we are truly a nation that separates church and state, we must not use religious references in governmental matters — be it coins, buildings, etc.

I’m not particularly militant about this — I don’t necessarily think we should erase it or remove from pre-existing monuments or structures, but I do think we should be conscientious of the pluralistic nation in which we live and be considerate of the reality that this is not a monotheistic country.

Fairview Community Church

Freedom of religion includes freedom from it. We don’t need to be subject to the symbols and sayings of specific religions that may be objectionable to those of other religions, or those without any religion.

In America, “In God We Trust” certainly refers to the God of the Christian religion and should not be part of national public buildings that are for use by all the citizens of the United States.

As Washington said, the U.S. “is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or Mohammedan nation.” Our trust should be in the Constitution. Our founders created the Constitution without a mention of any God, because they saw the great need to have a purely secular government. And the term “under God” should be removed from the current pledge of allegiance, which was a late and inappropriate addition under the Eisenhower administration to emphasize the difference from the presumably “unGodly” Soviet Union that they wanted us to fear.

A number of politicians, in an attempt to convince the public that they are beyond reproach, always pretend to be seriously religious by proposing that religious symbols and sayings be placed in public buildings, while at the same time making all kinds of unethical decisions just to feather their own nests. I’d have much more respect for an honest atheist. There is at least one Congressman who acknowledges being one. For a politician, that takes courage!

A much better motto for placement on public buildings — or on money — is the original, true and apt motto of our country, “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many, one).