Good Morning..."In God We Trust"

[Okla-homey]

May 18, 1908 Congress mandates use of "In God We Trust"

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98 years ago on this day, in a move that seemingly flew in the face of many of the founders' beliefs in the separation of church and state, Congress passed legislation on this day in 1908 that made the maxim "In God We Trust" an obligatory element of certain coins.

The motto dates back to the early 1860s, when the Civil War stirred religious feelings throughout the nation. America's heightened piety manifested itself in many places, including the Treasury Department, which received countless letters requesting that the nation's coins pay some form of tribute to God.

Concerned citizens and religious leaders found a fast friend in Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, who readily agreed that the "trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins."

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Salmon P. Chase

James Pollock, director of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, was charged with devising a suitable motto.

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James Pollock

After some key revisions from Chase, Pollock decided upon the now-familiar "In God We Trust."

There has never been a serious constitutional challenge to the use of the words on US coinage or currency. Even if one were brought, my guess is the challenge would not be successful since people with a brain understand the First Amendment only proscribes Congress from making laws establishing an official government-sponsored religion. Since Christianity, Judaism and Islam all share monotheism, "In God We Trust" doesn't equal establishment of any particular faith as the "official religion" of the United States.

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[Penguin]

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In Zod We Trust

[Hamhock]

in a move that seemingly flew in the face of many of the founders' beliefs in the separation of church and state,


Homey,

Do you believe this is accurate? My understanding was that Jefferson said this in context of the federal government establishing an official religion. I think history proves that most if not all of the founding father's relied on the Almighty for personal and political guidance.

[Hatfield]

while i generally respect homey's morning posts....i feel like this isn't true and have begun researching the da vinci code for the accuracy of homey's story. ;)

[critical_phil]

Homey,

Do you believe this is accurate? My understanding was that Jefferson said this in context of the federal government establishing an official religion. I think history proves that most if not all of the founding father's relied on the Almighty for personal and political guidance.


i thought jefferson was the one who liked to toke and troll the slave quarters for tail.........

[Okla-homey]

Homey,

Do you believe this is accurate? My understanding was that Jefferson said this in context of the federal government establishing an official religion. I think history proves that most if not all of the founding father's relied on the Almighty for personal and political guidance.

The popular view today is the founders believed in the "separation of church and state." As you state, they didn't. They just didn't want government funding and endorsing a particular church (e.g. Church of England.) Notwithstanding that fact, Jefferson's letter to the Baptists stands for the proposition of complete separation and its become pretty ingrained in American life.

FWIW, the current Constitutional test per the Supreme Court's decision in Agostini is government can't 1) endorse a religion or 2) compel participation in religious practices.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

[QUOTE=Okla-homey]The popular view today is the founders believed in the "separation of church and state." As you state, they didn't. They just didn't want government funding and endorsing a particular church (e.g. Church of England.) Notwithstanding that fact, Jefferson's letter to the Baptists stands for the proposition of complete separation and its become pretty ingrained in American life.

QUOTE]

i bet most Americans think that statement, "separation of church and state" is in the constitution...Well young Americans who have never read the constitution anyway

[jkm, the stolen pifwafwi]

The popular view today is the founders believed in the "separation of church and state." As you state, they didn't. They just didn't want government funding and endorsing a particular church (e.g. Church of England.) Notwithstanding that fact, Jefferson's letter to the Baptists stands for the proposition of complete separation and its become pretty ingrained in American life.

FWIW, the current Constitutional test per the Supreme Court's decision in Agostini is government can't 1) endorse a religion or 2) compel participation in religious practices.

that would be a great history topic - henry forming his own religion to get a divorce. the minister under henry that came up with the idea was envious of the catholic church's wealth and started seizing all of their assets. not smart as a couple of years later he met the executioner...

[Jimminy Crimson]

i bet most Americans think that statement, "separation of church and state" is in the constitution...Well young Americans who have never read the constitution anyway


but it's in the constitution!!!

:rolleyes:

Hooray Homey, and hooray IGWT!