I do not support suggestions to purge the nation of all official mentions of religion, but I absolutely oppose all new religious messages, like this.
“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the nation–but that dates back only to the mid-1950s. Unofficial use of the phrase began during the Civil War, not at the founding of the nation.
And when the religious conservatives cheer this “victory,” I hope they will keep in mind that court cases ruling in favor of religious messages on government facilities did so by declaring that they were NOT actually religious messages (which would have been a First Amendment violation) but a cultural and traditional message. You remember the First Commandment, don’t you? It prohibits the use of God’s name in a vain and worthless manner. And I’d say that “No religious message intended–just because it says ‘God’ doesn’t mean we’re actually talking about God” qualifies as using God’s name in a vain and worthless manner.
So congratulations, religious conservatives! You have won your case… by violating the First Commandment of the Decalogue.

Just whose god would we be talking about??? The Muslim god, the Christian god, the Hindu god, my god or your god or no one’s god? Have never liked that “motto” and really don’t think it needs to be in the Capital Center or on our money, for that matter. Might as well say…we really aren’t capable of doing anything with out some mystical being keeping an eyeball on us!

It’s a ridiculous motto because it’s clearly false. A lot of us don’t believe in any god, some of us believe in multiple gods and many of those who do believe in one god don’t trust it.
I vote for “United we stand.” That would remind the nation what the Republican party has done by demonizing liberals, half the country.
No person, and no political party or TV “news” organization that spends its words demonizing half of us or our president for silly things has any claim on patriotism.

This is a great country because even poor losers get to voice their opinions in protest even if they lie. This country by the witness of the founders was forged in prayer. There has always been bibles, prayer, preachers and even church services in our government facilities. This country has never been hostile to prayer, scripture or religion as heretics, pagans or atheist may try to convince folk, they lie, outright lie.

cknuck what part of “In God we trust.” do you not understand. It claims we trust in “God” and a lot of us just don’t. Get it?
Now why don’t you go lie down and try to get yourself together.

It’s NOT about hostility to religion. It’s about the extreme care with which the founding fathers sought to keep religion and politics separate, as each has a tendency to corrupt the other. Hostility would look like governmental bans on religious services, as has happened in some totalitarian states. The proper role of government is neutrality, and the only way to maintain neutrality is to refrain from taking any stance on religion–not for or against any particular religion, not for or against religion in general.

ck wrote:
“This is a great country because even poor losers” (with emphasis one the last word) get to voice their opinions in protest even if they lie”
If this is reduced to a winners/losers competition then there is no purpose to the entire project. A disagreement is not a lie – it is another point of view. Clearly people are reading different history books and coming at our national and cultural character from different perspectives. The intent of the entire effort is to show how the Capitol is for all the people. Telling someone they are a loser simply because their position was not accepted is how we get into messes like the one from 2001 to 2008. Or are we willing to accept a juvenile approach to politics and history (something to which we revert all too easily as it is). I would like to think we – as a nation – are capable of so much more.

cknuck: “This is a great country because even poor losers get to voice their opinions in protest even if they lie.”
Are you five years old or something?
I’m just hoping now that the proper incantation has been added, Jesus will delay raining down fire and brimstone on the visitor center for another day.

What part of “In God We Trust” don’t you get, nnmns? Oh, I know. You don’t get any of it because you closed your mind to the possibility of God a long time ago.

From Google, A Did You Know: “In God We Trust”, first became appearing on a U.S. coin in 1864 during strong Christian sentiment emerging during the Civil War, but the Motto only became the “Official” U.S. National motto after the passage of an Act of Congress in 1956.
E Pluribus Unum, meaning: “Out of many, one”, or by it’s action: Many uniting into one, was approved, and created for the Great Seal of the U.S. in 1782, by Charles Thomson. It was considered the Motto of U.S., but never officially passed as such.
This article mentiones E Pluribus Unum being covered over in the Visitors Center. The Great Seal of the United States is who we are, ALL of US. Everything on it tells our History of the first 13 states. I don’t know if it’s represented at the Visitors Center, because this article is not throughly written, I would presume. If our Great Seal is not being displayed in a building that is welcomeing vistors from all over the world, as well as U.S. people it should be installed fast!

WELL said, Henrietta. E Pluribus Unum is much, much better representation of who the US strives to be. IMO, have that put into the Visitor’s Center, if not there already, and once again remove or cover the God motto. IT doesn’t represent ALL of the USA.

WindsorsChild,
You are quite wrong if you assume that only atheists could have an objection to the motto. It is inappropriate in light of how and why this nation was founded (no, not to be atheistic, but to have no link between government and religion), and it is inappropriate in terms of its very meaning–do we really “trust” in God? No, we act exactly as if we had better take care of ourselves and NOT trust that God will keep us safe and prosperous. You can quote “God helps those who help themselves,” but the bottom line is that national policies are set as if there were no God, no matter what kinds of loud religious noises politicians make.

In God We Trust, means something different to each person, I think. It’s only some Denominations of Religion that put down in print how you are to interpret the Motto. Our country did nothing from 1782 to 1956 about making E Pluribus Unum our official Motto. Then in 1956 Congress passed what they wanted. I didn’t even know until my little girl told me I was saying the Pledge wrong. I’m Christian and I wondered myself why things changed, generations had managed very well with the Pledge of A. without its insertion. The only thing I can think of is Fundamentalism was increasing and they carry so much fear into everything they do with religion, Not good for true Christianity, and it certainly wasn’t good for the Republican Party when it joined with politics.

“”…You are quite wrong if you assume that only atheists could have an objection to the motto…”"
…oh my! heretics oppose what the orthodox support…

WC:

What part of “In God We Trust” don’t you get, nnmns? Oh, I know. You don’t get any of it because you closed your mind to the possibility of God a long time ago.

I have little doubt you trust in a god WC. Why don’t you get that I don’t and a lot of us don’t. That’s what makes it a lousy motto. E Pluribus Unum would be much better, but those trying to keep as many Hispanics as possible out might not care for it. I’d sure settle for that or for “United we stand.” And of course “In God some of us trust.” would be correct but it lacks something in zing.

nnmns, you’re right, In God some of us trust” doesn’t flow quite right! )

Headline: Congress Puts ‘God’ Back in Capitol Visitor Center
Was that sarcasm? Will everyone here who believes in a god so pathetic it can only be in the Capitol visitor center if Congress puts it there please speak up!
Why do so many believers react so predictably to right wing propaganda like this that insults their gods so thoroughly? What, if anything, are they thinking about?

nnmns you are so out of touch when it comes to God. God gives us free will never pushing into but allowing for acceptance so yes we can accept or reject God, you have chosen the latter, good luck with that.
H4C I am confident you are promoting misinformation concerning the founders who never excluded religion from the halls of government facilities ever until recent pressure.

cknuck the Flying Spaghetti Monster gives us free will to accept or reject It. You have chosen to reject It. Good luck with that.
See, anyone can have his imaginary friend and try to worry others who don’t believe in it. Your god is but one of thousands people have, do and/or will believe in and you’re rejecting all but one. The odds are great you’ve picked one that doesn’t exist. If another one does instead you could be in big trouble. Think about that.

nnmns you somewhat reveal your idolization of the creator of the flying spaghetti monster, why not get a little more creative? Stick around and see how much trouble I could be in. nnmns I’ve got a personal relationship with God, you are just about as effective at influencing that as your weak FSM.

cnuck,
We have had this discussion before–no one is claiming that the founding fathers were atheists, or that they did not want religion in America. But the FIrst Amendment and the fact that God and the Bible are not even mentioned in the Constitution should make it clear that they did not want government to take any official position on religion, for the protection of both. They were men steeped in the ideas and ideals of the Age of Reason, and they understood the perils of co-mingling religion and government.
The point raised by nnmns is valid: American citizens can be of any faith or of no faith; if the government makes a statement like “In God We Trust,” there are only 2 possibilities, both bad:
1. It is a religious message, an official recognition that God exists. If so, then government has officially declared that atheism and faiths that do not refer to their deity as “God” are wrong. Government has no authority or capability of making any such declaration about the validity of faith. OR…
2. It is not a religious message, but just a familiar traditional-cultural-historical saying. If so, then government has officially violated the Biblical commandment not to take the name of God in a vain and worthless manner.
It is very disturbing to see Christian conservatives thump their chests in triumph about this situation, for it suggests that they think government SHOULD officially declare faith and a particular set of faiths to be valid. From there, it is not a huge step to the outright theocracy that the Dominionist seek.

Bravo!! H4C! Well said. Thanks.

HfC, well explained. In 1784 the Motto E Pleuribus Nunam, on the ribbon floating out of the American Bald Eagles mouth had the American Message to all: Many, (the People) uniting into one. Everything on the seal designates what is true and believed by the Formers of our country. It was never made official, because it was accepted. Along came the 50′s and Communism, the Cold War, and plenty of fear. Suddenly Congress decides to put in “In God We Trust” as the official Motto of our country. As a Christian looking at the times now and how people believe it would be more uniting to put E. Pleuribus Nunam as our official Motto. The cold war made some people frightened that God would be taken out of their country. Since everyone is allowed to have freedom of religion in America, fear shouldn’t enter into their lives about that right.

Sorry, Nunum, Nunum, Nunum=Unit, or unite

ONE NATION UNDER GOD:
YES , IN GOD WE TRUST . THANK YOU….

Maria Diaz: “YES , IN GOD WE TRUST”
I don’t. What are you going to do about it? Think fast, you don’t want Jesus to get angry…

Maria D.:
You can trust your god, but many of us would rather trust ourselves. Thank You.

Many post here who are wrong about God, wrong about faith, wrong about God’s faithful, wrong about salvation, wrong about Jesus, wrong about EVERYTHING concerning God and His followers.
Why do they post here? Why bother? They can not withstand the light of truth and squirm when it shines so brightly that they see how lost they really are.
So, why? What is their motive?
These are false guides, with the intent of misleading as many as possible. Each has their own reason to mislead. At best, they are compelled by broken hearts, broken lives, broken dreams so that they now have no hope but to take others down with them. At worst, they directly channel demonic influence.
Their only hope is the blood of Christ, to cleanse them of their past and to purge them of their evil.
Pray for them.

If you read the headline literally, then B’net is reporting that God is now working for the US Federal Government in the tourist division. I guess things did not work out at the Faith desk in the White House. I doubt Congress would know God if they were to meet in the hallway. O well, these days, I guess any job is a good job. So to all you Washington D.C. visitors (especially you tracing the footsteps of Robert Langdon), watch out – God is watching.
I wonder where Jesus is working.

mordred do you hold your breath until you get dizzy, or does it just come naturally for you? Your atheistically aggressive and combative attacks to any Christian that post shows something about you.

GC you are so wrong about me and I suspect other non-Christian-extremists here it’s funny except there might be someone somewhere who doesn’t see you for the blow-hard you are.
But just for the record my heart, life, and most of my dreams are in fine shape, thank you.
And if we are misleading anyone and you could prove it I presume you would, instead of just claiming it over and over and over.

nnmns, GC is wrong about many of us who are non-Christian, myself included. He finds it hard to believe that those who aren’t Christian can possibliy live a happy life. I’ve been told twice that “good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people” when I’ve informed him I’m extremely happy in my “lost” life. (Oh, I’m “lost” too!!). What his little saying (not original) is supposed to tell me, I’m not sure!!! If those of “faith” are easily led away from their “faith” then they aren’t actual believers, IMO.

“A more accurate depiction of our nation’s heritage written in stone”??? “In God We Trust” has been our official motto for all of 52 years. It didn’t emerge in any official capacity until 1864; almost 100 years after the country’s inception. Whereas, “E Pluribus Unum” was enshrined on the Great Seal in 1782. One phrase reflects the vision of our founding fathers. The other, the craven pandering of Congress.

Very well put LaVaughn.

cknuck: “Your atheistically aggressive and combative attacks to any Christian that post shows something about you.”
Am I atheistically aggressive? Maybe I’m aggressively atheistic. Hmm…
All I know is that when I’m told I need to be “purged” of “evil” by the likes of GodsCountry, I just don’t feel inclined to being nice.

Actually my first thought after reading the article was “Glad to see Congress has its priorities straight. Glad they didn’t focus on health care or the economy or the two wars we have going on…”

Simply stating that someone is wrong, wrong, wrong and doing it loudly, vehemently, and repeatedly, doesn’t actually make the person you are accusing wrong, it doesn’t make them appear wrong, and it doesn’t do anything to make them believe they are wrong.
What it does, GC, is make you look like a child throwing a tantrum.
Now go improve your skills in logic and debate, and then come back with something more convincing and informative.

H4C Christian founders did have tolerance for atheist and others and of course they choose the language carefully but the hostile interpretation people are trying to use today is not even close to the intention of separation of church and state. and LaVaughn indicates our founders had split personalities concerning God. From the very beginning they prayed in congress held church in the House of Rep bibles were in every courthouse and school. They would be ready to fight if they were to witness the direction some of the people are trying to take this country.

cknuck,
I think the founding fathers would be reassured in some ways about the directions America has gone, and horrified in other ways. We have eliminated slavery, fought against prejudice, and championed equal rights for women–whereas in their time, many were troubled by slavery but saw no way to end it, and the notion of opposing racial and gender bias might have surprised them but I believe they would have approved. The vulgarity of contemporary culture would appall them, as would the level of mediocrity that now dominates politics. And I sincerely believe that they would be most appalled by efforts of a relatively small number of fanatics to turn America into a Christian theocracy.

H4C I don’t think more work a day folk are trying to turn America into a Christian theocracy we’ve come to where we are because of our diversity. I just think most American Christians are feeling opposed to the recent attack on Christianity and the notion that we can’t come out in public. The founders thought the bible prayer, and the ten commandments should be allowed anywhere and we shouldn’t be ashamed of our Christian heritage. Personally I could give two hoots about politics I don’t think there has been an honest politician for some time, they all stink.

sorry should be most not more

cknuck,
Quite right, most people do NOT want America to become a theocracy. That’s why I referred to those who do as “a relatively small number of fanatics.” As for honesty among politicians… Well, there are a few who are honest. A precious few.

What a slap in the face to those visitors who are Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jainists, Taoists, atheists (etc.)
Why the so-called “Christian” God must be enshrined – despite the Constitution’s guarantee that no religion shall get preferential treatment – escapes me.
Move over Iran, theocracy here we come.

There are dishonest people in every profession in America, the Politicians haven’t got a corner on the market. IMO the phrase, dishonest Politicians, is used when the Politicians don’t believe and want the same things as the person who thinks they are dishonest, and doesn’t believe the same as they do. Did you all watch Tom Delay dancing with his partner last night? Only the third time, and I think he was vastly improved, even with two stress-fractured feet. A bit of partisan humor was thrown-in and not even mentioned by the Judges; Tom wore a shirt with an Elephant on its back, and the lady a skirt with a donkey! If we could laugh with each other, maybe we could learn to get along.

In China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea; you will find Buddhism everywhere, in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan you will find much about Hinduism unashamedly so, and in China Vietnam and in Korea. Kouk Sun Do in Korea practices and signs and advertising concerning Taoism abound and rightfully so I’m not insulted. So when you do and say ridiculous things like in your post you insult the intelligence of Americans who know that historically we practiced Christianity and we should not be ashamed because some angry people say we should be it’s our history a large part of our culture it would be a lie to deny it.

“you insult the intelligence of Americans who know that historically we practiced Christianity”
Um, no dear, historically SOME of us practiced Christianity. The rest were probably just frequently ignored.

“”…wrong, wrong, wrong…”"
Absolutely wrong. I tell the truth.
All truth is God’s truth.
Deny truth, deny God.
Deny God, deny life, eternal life.
There is one way to God, one way to life, one way to truth; through accepting and understanding the son of God, Jesus Christ.
This is not something that matters because it is inscribed in stone, but only when written upon the human heart.

“Absolutely wrong. I tell the truth. All truth is God’s truth”. GC
You the truth, once again, your version of truth. And just whose god would we be needing to listen to for what version of that “truth”? The Jewish God, the Muslim God, the Christian God, the Hindu Gods, the Pagan Gods (;o))? There’s too many to choose from…it’s just really confusing!!! ;o))))
And there is soooo many more than one way to live. Get a life…try it…you’d be surprised.

…more questions from the reluctant seeker.
Whose God and what version of truth? Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Eternal truth from God Himself.
Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Pagan – which God? God is the Lord of All, Creator of all mankind no matter what individual beliefs they may hold.
Eternal life with God is offerd to all by a God who is willing to accept you as His own child if you accept His means of accomplishing this – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died to make this posible and rose again to prove it.

My Goddess accepts me just like I am. So, I’m just fine. She accepts all for who they are…so no problem. BTW, the question about which about which god was asked in jest. I have had my answer for over 45 years. Often wondered why a “creator” has to be male, according to many. Women are the ones who give life.

pagan, what goddess? What kind of pagan are you who do you worship what sect do you practice with?

“”…And I sincerely believe that they would be most appalled by efforts of a relatively small number of fanatics to turn America into a …(paraphrase)
…pagan culture…”"
This is true. The original phrase was not.

Worship no one, only honor.

then there is no real “goddess”? or maybe it is you?

Most certainly not me, cknuck!
She is a symbol just like your god.

pagan my God is not a symbol you assume too much, you just don’t know Him.

You’re right,cknuck. I chose to leave after 17 years of being told about Him.

Unlike my evangelistic friends I say good for you.

I think it’s good also, CK.

CKNuck,
Why does Pagansister have to give a name to her Goddess? Your god has no name. She is right on target in believing that a male would not be the creator.. no life happens without a female. For me the one I honor is the Earth herself. She is who determines what will happen from day to day in concern with the elements. I determine how I react to that. I do not need your God to be a just honorable person. I am in charge of doing what is right. I do my best not to harm anyone including myself. Yes someone might get hurt in the process but sometimes that is their choice. As for eternal life, I have lived before this life and will live after it. While I am in this life I don’t want the government or other relgions to tell me how to live it.
Also why anyone would want to use a phrase forced down their throats by a man that was obviously nuts is beyond me. Mccarrthism is what got that phrase added to the pledge. He went out of his way to destroy lives in his vision of Christianity. I say no thanks to that.

“”…Why does Pagansister(sic) have to give a name to her Goddess?..”"
Why…don’t most people name their pets?

The Goddess I honor is my business. Your god is your business and as correctly pointed out…has no name. What do you call your god? Master?
As for pets? I don’t have any. Sorry…can’t give you a name for something I don’t have.