In Texas, a recent state law took effect requiring public campuses (which includes all public schools) to display any donated items bearing the phrase, “In God We Trust.” Some other states also have similar laws. And who is this “God” – as of now, this “God” has not been defined by the Texas Senate Bill 797 passed through the legislature.
Why does the Texas legislature, and some other states, feel the need to advertise that they trust in God?
Maybe the displayed motto in Texas should be “In “Government We Trust”, because they trusted the power of the Texas government to make this a requirement.
Or the motto could be, “In Guns We Trust” because all their police departments trust guns to maintain law and order and defend the right of citizens – mostly. Citizens also trusts their guns more than “God” to defend their lives and property.
The motto could be, “In Gold We Trust” because everyone trusts money (in any form) to transact business in Texas.
Where did this motto “In God We Trust,” come from? Here is a brief history.
All gold coins and silver $1 coins, half dollars and quarters have had the motto engraved since 1908; pennies followed in 1909 and dimes in 1916. Since 1938, all U.S. coins have borne the “In God We Trust” inscription on them. It became the official motto of the USA in 1956 and was required printing on every United States denomination of paper currency.
But Jesus said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21). The United States Constitution contains no reference to God.
The constitutionality of this modern national motto has been questioned with relationship to the separation of church and state outlined in the 1791 First Amendment. In 1970, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that the motto does not violate the First Amendment to the Constitution. SCOTUS has not ruled on the issue.
Really, this motto is a just an advertisement which promotes the claim that “God” exists. But in a few states, including Texas it has become the law to place in schools.
I propose a more acceptable motto for everyone, “In God We Believe.” Everyone is free to have their beliefs, and, I guess, to display these beliefs in public. I believe in “God” and trust in “God”, but should the law make it a absolute requirement to display these beliefs and print it on money?
For religious fundamentalists, however, it is their desire to make it the law to publically advertise their belief with the motto, “In God We Trust. But do they? It seems to me they trust their gold, guns, and government more. Seems strange, n’est-ce pas?
Now here is another strange idea from an atheist who suggested that the most acceptable motto for everyone would be, “In Gravity We Trust”, because this is not a belief, and we can always trust gravity to function for everyone.