What would be bad about removing, 'In God We Trust' from US currency? Would doing so reduce your trust in God?

Question

The uproar about the mis-minted $1 coins has me entirely confused. What would be wrong with simply removing those 4 words from currency?

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

OK, Y!A Community, it's up to you to pick the best answer from this lot.

May the choice reflect your wisdom!

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 1

There would be no bad, only an upholding of the First Amendment (which isn't bad). In fact, there would be a lot of good in actually keeping church and state separate. That way, I could finally stop writing "KEEP CHURCH & STATE SEPARATE" on every bill I handle (and no, I'm not kidding, I have a $20 in front of me with that exact phrase written on it).

Answer 2

It's not about that, It's about a Government that does everything it can to remove religion from government while down-right evil is welcomed. It's about removing the basic concepts that were the ground work this great Country. In God We Trust is on the coin for a reason. It's not just a decoration. It was an idea that had a hand in the making of this Country. The reason things like this anger Americans is because they are tired of living under a Government that says it's not okay to have God in your child's classroom, but it is okay to teach them about homosexuality, or sex, or tolerance (which I be live to be a great contradiction to their removal of religion). I'm just saying that I realize not all people are the same religion, one Government can not accommodate everyones religious beliefs. However, these beliefs were a influencing force when founding this Country. As you can and will continue to see, when you pull the concepts that a government was built on out from under it, it will not stand.

Answer 3

Jesus said; who's picture is on this coin? Cesar. Give what is Cesar' to Cesar, and what is God's to God..... You can not serve God and mammon. You will love one and hate the other...

It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to get into heaven.

God is speaking out against riches and you pay tribute to God by placing his words on the very thing he hates, it is the same as when men call the day Jesus was Crucified
"Good Friday.
Lets not Give God "lip service", but our hearts on which to write his words. Remove the 4 words.

Answer 4

"IN GOD WE TRUST"... indeed!! I can scarcely sleep at night with the knowledge that this inscription is on my coins and bills....the sheer horror of these four words...I am feeling very threatened and intimidated. When will this madness end?....I just can not take anymore... that does it...I am moving to North Korea. No more coins with religious overtones....just total bliss in a state that reinforces the belief that religion is the opiate of the masses.

ps... sometimes I am a bit of a smart alec when I am angry...this is not to my credit..I need to channel my anger in a positive and constructive way.

Answer 5

I understand a curious question about why people would not want "In God We Trust" removed from currency, but the second question is obviously a rude comment phrased in the form of a question. You are not confused, you are blinded by your lack of knowledge.

Answer 6

The problem is not technically the removing of the words from the currency. The problem is much deeper. The problem is the constant removal of all acknowledgment of God from society. They have made it unlawful to pray in public (going against the 1st Amendment), they are taking Bibles out of the courthouses, no references whatsoever to Christ, the Ten Commandments, or the Bible can be made in any government building.

We are a nation founded on Christian principles and acknowledging God as the source of all prosperity. By removing it from our currency, we are, yet again, removing God from our culture.

My trust in God will always be firm but it is also my responsibility to publicly acknowledge Him. My question to you and others is, "Why is having the mention of God on the currency or anywhere else so threatening?" Also "Why is it okay for atheists and agnostics to force their views on the majority by having acknowledgment of God removed from the public square but it is not okay for Christians to celebrate their belief in God?"

Answer 7

NH: A great question ! Any adult human being is fully aware that the reality of the whole situation is being "muffled".
In North America, for MOST of the adult populace, the money is far more sacred than God is. The coins need have inscribed upon them, "In this god - WE Trust" !!! "For the love of money is A [not "the" - original Greek translation] root of evil" !

Answer 8

I don't think it's bad at all. It was added in the 1950's, along with "under God" in the pledge, during the cold war.

Now if the founding fathers had actually set down these phrases as being an integral part of our country - I could see more of a complaint.

Because we proclaim freedom of religion, we shouldn't proclaim a national belief in a God that not all believe in.

I can't believe that it would jepordaize some people's faith. This nation survived a long time without these words - and it will not suffer from removing them.

Answer 9

There is no valid argument to remove it from currency or any other place.

First the phrase "In God We Trust" has no relation to any particular religion. Every religion has a deity or GOD. But our founding fathers who were men of faith. And has always been our national motto or phrase.

Also the First Amendment was established to preserve the right of freedom of religion. Not freedom FROM religion. If one understands the First Amendment is designed for our freedom to practice the religion of our choosing. Also to protect us from the government in adopting or forming a national religion. (For example: Islamic countries are ruled by both Islamic religious leaders and government) If one looks at European history government and religion were deeply intertwined. This was a major difficulty for its citizens and their freedom.

For reference here is the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.



Also as someone for argument will mention the separation of church and state. This is mentioned no where in the Constitution. It was however mentioned in a letter penned by Thomas Jefferson.

Answer 10

You know, I think you and your questions rock, but I can't help being preoccupied with your avatar. I'm too busy smiling, as I contemplate the seriousness of your question coming from that picture.
Thanks for the beautiful irony.

Those four words do not make a difference
in the value of our currency.

Answer 11

As far as I'm concerned, not a thing; indeed, it is arguably an establishment of religion in violation of the Constitution. But there is a law which says that the phrase is supposed to be on the currency, and so far the Supreme Court has punted on the issue.