In God We Trust / E pluribus Unum

The land was occupied by simple people of different tribes who believed in the "Great Soul" that occupied and directed the lives of their people. They venerated nature and beast alike with the knowledge that a "supreme being" was the architect of all!

This of course is nothing strange since peoples of all nations of the world, past and present, do believe in a supreme being of one sort or another with a few exceptions who call themselves (or are called) atheists.

What is most exceptional about the aforementioned terms is their historical value.  Due to the religious persecutions in the old world, people arrived in this continent (especially in this country) seeking freedom to believe and practice whatever religion or lack of it as they chose.

The founders (Fathers) of the country in their preamble and declaration documents made it clear that although each had a religious belief, they would preserve the FREEDOM of the people to their own chosen beliefs without fear of persecution or retribution.

What strikes me as strange is the fact that there exists ignorance (YES, I do mean "Ignorance") so clearly portrayed by citizens about the very history of the nation.

I do believe that everyone has a right to their own beliefs and principles, the fact that they do not believe in a creator is their right! . . . So why do I point to their "ignorance'? . . .

Well, if they consider themselves "Americans" how is it that they do not know their own history???  This country was established by people running away from religious persecution, looking to start a nation that could tolerate the FREEDOM of each individual to their beliefs. 

The fathers of our country thought to put GOD (no particular religion) in our declaration of independence and constitution and clearly stated that we are "all are created equal"

Anyone that knows anything about history will clearly see the reason and purpose of their wise intentions. In a prayer for the future of the new nation later in our history the words "In God we trust" was added as a motto to our monetary system by Congressional law.

Although the law was passed in 1956, to use the motto on our coins, the first coin to have been minted with such motto was the 2 cent coin dated 1864 (if you have one, you have valuable history.)

It also the case that there have been several court actions by dissenters who see the inclusion of such words as an indication that our government supports or appear to support religious beliefs among our population.  In a decision of The Supreme Court case, the majority stated that the Constitution "affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance of all religions, and forbids hostility toward any."

Even one of our presidents dissented on the use of the phrase "In God we Trust" on our monetary system, considering its use to be a sacrilege!

E pluribus Unum (of many, ONE) has also been our nation's motto established by congressional law, which means that we have actually two mottos.

So what is the answer for people who do not agree with the use of these mottos in our monetary system?

Work to change the law! Our nation is formed with the ability to have its' people unite to effect changes to the laws.  On caveat though . . . While the law exists, the law will be followed, is it not a fact that we are "a law abiding nation?"

However, do not expect me to support such a move, believing in God, I am perfectly comfortable (as long as God permits) having the phrase in my pocket as often as possible!!!

Jose Wer

» left by straight talk

2 years 364 days ago.
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I enjoyed your perspective but find some disagreemnet, that is as I understood you? Yes, while they wrote the Consitution they were very definative concerning God and the formation of this nation and the principals it was formed on came from the predominent religious beliefs of this natin. As it is in most parts of the world. I would agree you are correct the laws were written for religious freedoms, yet they never stated to keep God out of politics or that God and politics do not mix. Quite the contrary. Rhetorically one might ask why the fear of God when one might not believe and whose God is the money referring to? I suspect that might also be left to each ones beliefs? What do you think? Good job, interesting perspective. Thanks.

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» left by Jose Wer from New Hampshire 2 years 363 days ago.

Thank you for your comments Robert.

If I have my history right, the Catholic Church was deeply entrenched in the politics of European countries of the time, and  religious positionss like that of “Cardinal” (Prince of the Church) was politically assigned.

 

In the fall of the French Monarchy, the Cardinal De Rohan played a significant role in the politics of the time as did Richelieu.  The Catholic Church as well as the Anglican Church of England were considered corrupt.

 

The Pilgrims, but more the “Puritans” arrived at the shores of New England running away from the corruption they abhorred in their country.  Interesting was the fact that some of them sought separation from the English ties while others maintained those ties but preserved the purity of their beliefs.

 

On the other hand, the Spanish “Conquistadors” were definitely driven by the Catholic Religion and they propagated those beliefs through their conquest of Latin American Countries. This can obviously be seen in the fact that the Catholic Church still is the dominant religion of those countries. (I’ll have some examples of this in a future writing).

 

So, although it was not “explicitly” written in such documents, the separation of Church and State was a prime point for the “New Englanders” who had suffered the persecutions and intolerance of the old world.

 

Besides the burning of “witches” during the Inquisition and the massacre of the Huguenots on the night St. Bartholomew by the Queen Catherine of Medici, the Catholics tried to eliminate the Calvinist from their realm.

 

Religious Freedom was therefore a prime motivator of early settlers including the ones arriving on the Mayflower.

 

By the time of the war of Independence the country had been settled by persons of varied religions and beliefs who now had a common cause of forming the new country and also  maintain their religious independence to prevent the dominant power that religion would have if allowed to rule politically. (As still is the case in many Latin American Countries).

 

While GOD continued to be a dominant subject among the peoples that established our country, Specific Religion was not a desirable trait in our government “for the people” and “by the people”, term which denotes “all inclusive”.

 

That is probably the reason why the term “In God We Trust” appeared in a coin minted in 1864 only and not again, until The US Congress passed the Act in 1956 naming it “The Official Motto” of the United States.

 

The latest news pertaining the “In God We Trust and E Pluribus Unum” mottos, is the fact that the Pennsylvania Mint erroneously left out the inscription in unknown number of the $1 Washington Coins minted in February 2007.

 

Jose wer

 

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