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"In God We Trust"

51 years ago today, the US Congress adopted "In God We Trust" as our national motto. Just like the insertion of "one nation, under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance (which, incidentally, was also added in the mid-50s), the motto's reference to God is said to be more convention than religion. Critics who argue the phrase may violate the establishment clause are shrugged off because the phrase "In God We Trust" is, quite obviously, a secular national slogan.

A federal district judge took this stance in 2006 when he denied an establishment clause violation because "there is no proper allegation that the government compelled plaintiff to affirm a repugnant belief in monotheism,".

Of course, in more casual arguments, critics of the phrase are often told that this is a "Christian nation" and to suck it up.

The "In God We Trust" phrase first appeared on some coins in 1864, so let's take a look at why, according to the Treasury Department, it was added:

As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861:

Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.

You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.

I've seen secular before, and a declaration of "the trust of our people in God" ain't it. A secular national slogan does not derive from a sermon that refers to God as "a definitive factor in the American way of life," like the Pledge's "under God" phrase did. When the US Congress passes legislation to declare the American people's trust in God, there is nothing secular about it.

Full post as published by Clever WoT on July 30, 2007 (boomark / email).