In God We Trust Lawsuit Dismissed

Just read a passionate post by Hemant Mehta on Friendly atheist about the dismissed “In God We Trust” Lawsuit in which he makes three significant points.
  • "I’m no lawyer… but how is that phrase not an endorsement of religion over non-religion? (Not only that, you know the phrase refers to the Christian god…)"
  • "How is that phrase not Christian? How is it not a violation of church/state separation? How is it not a violation of the Establishment Clause?"
  • "The judge was wrong, plain and simple.

I have nothing really to add, the words "In God We Trust" are clearly the state endorsment of a god. There presence clearly makes religious belief seem more acceptable, and provide all religon with a greater significance and respectability.
It seems to me also that the judge was clearly wrong and, given this post (United States of Atheism) and this post (US 1st amendment - contradictory?), it looks to me, admittedly a non-us citizen, like the founding fathers would be clearly against his judgment aswell.

Finally, If you'll excuse a topical plug -

As the USA is arguably the most capitalist country in the world, would it not be more apt for the money's motto to be Ingot We Trust?
Get the T-Shirt
Get the T-Shirt

This is one of the Too many questions

PEACE
Crispy

Please leave a comment - Anything will do
The best communications are often,
THREE WORDS OR LESS
OR ONE OR MORE FINGERS!

Views: 4

Tags: Free, Law, Secular, States, United, america, atheism, egality, equality, freedom, More…liberty, religion, speech

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Comment by Loren Miller on November 10, 2009 at 3:10pm
In other words, it's right up there with the "under god" crap which the Knights of Columbus foisted on the Pledge of Allegiance back in 1954, eh? Oh, CHARMING...!
Comment by Gold Guy on November 10, 2009 at 2:32pm
You will find that it was place on a few coins going back to the 1800's. It wasn't until the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950's that it became our "national motto" and was legislated to be required on all currency. That such a violation of the constitution has been allowed to exist for over 50 years is disgusting!
Comment by Loren Miller on November 10, 2009 at 10:17am
How is it that a secular nation whose constitution has NO mention of any deity and whose only mention of religion is to 1) require no religious test for office and 2) insists on no law regarding establishment of religion has this mockery on its currency?

Methinks I want to dig into the whole issue of the statement, "In God We Trust" and find out just HOW it got there in the first place!
Comment by Gold Guy on November 10, 2009 at 9:21am
You are right that it is a violation of church and state, but not surprising that a judge threw it out. Taking that theist pledge off our money (which was not standard until the mid 1950s) will be a difficult fight. It will need to go to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court judges rationally there will be a huge outcry and a movement to change the constitution. If that happens we as a nation will be a crisis point where the fight to prevent a theocracy will be determined.

Sorry, more than three words or one finger :-)

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