US coin question...?

Question

I have been wondering this... if the US has 'separation of church and state' then why do our coins say 'In God we Trust"?

WOW! Not only did I get the answers I was looking for, but I also feel really stupid now. Thanks everyone ;)

Answer 1

I still don't know why some people cannot understand the meaning of the term "separation of church and state."

""Separation of church and state" is a common metaphor that is well recognized. Equally well recognized is the metaphorical meaning of the church staying out of the state's business and the state staying out of the church's business. Because of the very common usage of the "separation of church and state phrase," most people incorrectly think the phrase is in the constitution.
...
The founders were definitely Christian for the most part. At least 90 to 95 percentage of them were practicing, Trinitarian Christians. This and the additional supporting evidence below show conclusively that the concern that motivated the framers to include the establishment clause in the constitution was definitely not fear of the doctrinal religion of Christian Theism. It was understood that Christian Theism was the default state doctrinal religion. As opposed to being something to fear, it was something believed to be vital to the success of our government. Consequently, the framers feared a state denominational religion not a state doctrinal religion! Some additional evidences that indicate Christian Theism was the national doctrinal religion are listed below:
Emblazoned over the Speaker of the House in the US Capitol are the words "In God We Trust."..." - http://www.allabouthistory.org/separation-of-church-and-state.htm

See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state

Answer 2

Even though the statement "In God We Trust" was not originally on US money, today it is considered a "ceremonial deism" by the United States Supreme Court. A "ceremonial deism" is something that is so ingrained in our society or the way things are done that it no longer has any real religious meaning, it's just a ceremonial habit. Other examples are at the opening of Congress a prayer is said and crosses in Arlington National Cemetery. They've been around so long that they're not longer considered just religious symbols or acts, they've become neutral.

Answer 3

Well there are a few angles on that answer.

1- In God We Trust was not originally on USA currency it was added later.
2- Separation of church and state is nowhere in the constitution but an extrapolation of what some peope thought founding fathers meant in other writings such as in the Federalist papers, which are of course not law but discussions among the founding fathers on what the laws might be.

Answer 4

It started being used as early as the 1860's, but was made mandatory in 1955, around the same time the "under God" part was put into the Pledge Of allegiance, during the Red Scare of the McCarthy Era.

To differentiate US from the Gawdless Cawm'niss, apparently....

Answer 5

Yes, I think that our forefathers meant by "separation of church and state" was separation of religion and politics.
Not prayer and schools....and therefore "In God We Trust" on
all our money. "Wake-Up America"

Answer 6

because as much as the liberals and athiests want you to think otherwise, this country was founded on a belief in God, and a christian up bringing. Too bad we aren't still the same way. It was a much better country to live in back then.

Answer 7

the original Contitution and Bill of Rights were based upon the ten Commandments and since we were built on freedom of religion (if you were catholic ok Protestant OK etc.) whichever way you believed or put your faith was fine so it was decided to include those words on all currency