Should the phrase "Under God" or "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. national symbolism?

Question

I have done this TWICE before but again, for a personal project, I'm taking a poll to see what comments and thoughts people have on this topic.

Please answer your question based on your political beliefs and state why. I am trying to gain a bigger perspective with more answers.

Answer 1

No, why bother. It doesn't specify a specific God and if your an atheist then it doesn't matter.............

Answer 2

Well I would say that it should be removed from the US national symbolism. Because of the fact that 1) it does not mean anything to most Americans, and 2) If we keep it inserted, it would indirectly mean that we still have our government and church together as one system, even if it isn't. It would also offend some people in the general population since some may be of other religions aside Christianity. Not only that, the statement implies ( in my opinion of course) that if you do not believe in God, then you are not a natural resident or citizen of the US. The statement might also affect political relationships between radically religious countries and the US (Not likely). There are also those times when people in powerful positions can abuse this by saying that "God is helping us" or "God wants us to do this" and what other nonsence that people make now a days, as people did hundreds, even thousands of years ago. This is all i can say for this subject matter. Thank you. Bye.

Answer 3

Isn't this a non-issue? I could care less whether it is there or not. The only problem is that while people are arguing about this there are more important issues going on. Similar to the flag burning issue a few years ago, this doesn't matter to the average american one way or another. If you are a Christian who is so in favor of promoting God, you are free to do so as an individual citizen. If you are an atheist, you are free to practice no religion. As long as the government doesn't try to force me into one of those categories against my will, I do not have a problem with a phrase that is historical more than anything else. Most American's worship the dollar, not God.

Historically, it should be noted that the phrase "In God We Trust" did not appear on bills (printed currency) until 1957. That is around the same time that "Under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance. In God We Trust was used on coins on and off from 1864 to 1908 and from 1908 to present. The phrase has not always been on money as most believe.

Answer 4

Yes. Contrary to an earlier post, this mottos were never truly part of history. Rather, their implementation was the result of a knee-jerk reaction to the spread of Communism (incorrectly associated with atheism by social conservatives). It's imprint on currency during the Civil War was due to heavy pressure and emotional appeal by devout Christians.

Because "God," in this instance, is a reference to the Judeo-Christian faith, it smacks of religious preference by the state over all other faiths. Therefore, these mottos must be removed due not only to their questionable Constitutionality, but because of the motives behind implementing them in the first place.

Answer 5

This country was founded on religous freedoms 200 sum years ago. 200 sum years ago we also had slaves and women couldnt vote ..blah blah .

I think this is a step to more freedoms ..dont be mad at people who question this ..WE should question!! everything how else are we going to reform? bottom line i i could be buddist or athiest and be die hard american! and not like that. they should remove it, but rearrange what it says to somthing thatwill suit everyone..



and come on!!

look at the big picture! we are fighting a war right now people.

i say ban guns! lol i dunnno

Answer 6

YES! It should be removed, another result of McCarthyism and it IS AGAINST the constitution. Those phrases suggest a christian belief and that is favoring one belief system over all others. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,"

Of course there is also the fact that god is not a proven thing and is only a fictional character. Why not Buddha, Zeus or Santa Clause?

Answer 7

Absolutely N O T!! Under God and In God We Trust are symbols of this country and will never be removed!!

Answer 8

Since we do not trust God to carry out His own judgments, and are insubordinate to Him - judging the world unilaterally as we do- neither phrase is appropriate.

Answer 9

No, this country was founded under religious freedoms! the right to believe in Any God. No where in the constitution dose it say you have the right NOT to believe in God.

Do I actually believe that argument, no but I just made it this morning in my Into to Law class and won, so I'm sticking with it this after noon.

Bottom line, it's a symbol just like you said, it doesn't require you to believe in God, nor trust in him, but removing it would be like removing the Bald Eagle and the Flag, both symbol's but not who we are or what we are required to believe in.

Answer 10

No

Socialist/communist thinkers at the Frankfurt school determined that it was Christianity that stood in the way of the implementation of the socialist/communist new world order. It’s not a civil rights issue, it’s a far Left Marxist agenda (some would call it a conspiracy theory but, readily available evidence proves otherwise.)

g) "Individualism, united with altruism, has become the basis of our western civilization. It is the central doctrine of Christianity ('love your neighbor,' say the Scriptures, not 'love your tribe'); and it is the core of all ethical doctrines which have grown from our civilization and stimulated it." Popper, p. 102. "If, as Harold Bloom has lately argued, Shakespeare 'invented the human,' it can be said-with equal hyperbole-that Christianity 'discovered' the individual. In the ancient world, individuals were recognized as members of tribes or nations or families, and conducted themselves accordingly...the Gospels are replete with scenes in which Jesus works one on one, healing this woman's sickness, forgiving that man's sins and calling each to personal conversion. He invites Jews and Gentiles alike to enter God's kingdom. 'Christianity discovers individuality in the sense that it stresses personal conversion,' says Bernard McGinn, professor of historical theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School. 'This is a crucial contribution to Western Civilization because it releases the individual from the absolute constraints of family and society." Newsweek, March 29, 1999, p. 56.
http://www.schwarzreport.org/

[The ACLU was] Established in 1920 by Roger Baldwin (who candidly stated that “Communism [was] the goal” toward which his efforts were directed
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6145

The ACLU Never Forgets Its Pro-Communist Roots
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/AlanSears/2007/06/16/the_aclu_never_forgets_its_pro-communist_roots

The ACLU: Enemy of America and Christianity
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/The%20ACLU%20Enemy%20of%20America%20and.html

Answer 11

Yes, there is an entire pantheon of gods, and no American has to believe in the christian god. We are free to form our own religious beliefs, and no matter how hard fundamentalist christians try to impose their religion on everyone else, it won't work. There are many people like me that will never cease defending our right to religious freedom.