Hey, I am determined to get "In God we trust" removed from America's money and "Under God" removed from the pledge. Any advice?
2007-12-05 06:12:31 · 22 answers · asked by Jennifer 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm not moving and I'm not giving up.I have to listen to the pledge being said every day, and I want to be able to support my country by saying the pledge everyday and not having to compromise my beliefs by doing so. Just a couple of years ago they printed new bills, so all I want is that the next time they do this they take that phrase off. How would you like to spend money saying "In the Tooth Fairy we trust?" So, all of you haters out there, read the question again, because I want your help, not criticism.
2007-12-05 06:41:29 · update #1
I'm really not trying to alienate anyone, I am completely tolerant of all religions and all want is to be comfortable in my home country and to provide all future and current atheists with that same pleasure. Thanks to everyone who is helping!
2007-12-05 06:48:15 · update #2
Well...I have to say that is no easy feat...but a good thing to strive for. I, and may others, may not completely agree with your cause, but you have EVERY right to fight for what you think is important! After all, there was a time when people laughed off women who wanted to have the right to vote...they had some nasty reactions, much like you are getting now.
First and foremost, you need to be as educated on the subject as you possibly can be....if you want to be a leader in this movement then you need to know the history, the debates, and what both sides have to say.
In regards to history...If I remember correctly...I think you will find that the man who wrote the pledge did not invoke God (there were a few other key differences as well). "In God We Trust" did not appear on U.S. currency until the mid-1950's (a very hyper-patriotic time when people were very concerned with "communist threats").
There are lots of individuals, groups, and organizations who agree with what you are trying to do. Your goal should be able to unite them under one umbrella coalition that works together toward this one goal. Perhaps start this at your local level...contact any local universities...and set up a website for the purpose of uniting people for this cause...over time you should be able to expand the organization (include more people and move to the national level).
Find a lawyer. Maybe someone is willing to work pro bono...or can get the advice of law professors and students....Some how, you are going to need to figure out the legal basis for your argument (while you try to sway public opinion in your favor).
Media attention. Try writing editorials and letters to newspapers and magazines (especially once you can also announce and promote your new organization). Work at writing compelling arguments that can sway all people....you want to make sure that you can try to make this change without alienating Christians (there are way to many in this country). Also, try to get high(er) profile people to write on your behalf...like journalists, politicians, and professors (especially those who could be considered an expert in this or similar areas).
I think that is all I have for now...hope that helps! Feel free to contact me :)
ps...I just looked at some more of the wall posts...and I need to point out that there is a difference between God and god...God being the Judeo-Christian supreme god...and "god" being an unspecified god (more open to interpretation)
2007-12-05 06:35:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
anyone who tells you that thepledge always had the religious reference isn;t paying attention to facts.
My parents are of the age where they had to say it both ways. It wasn't that long ago that it was added, and it was much longer before that that it wasn't there.
So any arguments on having the pledge have it are spurious.
I would suggest, as the other person did, finding more info on newdow, and contacting him to see how you can support his effort.
Money might be a bit trickier, even though the legal principle ("no establishment clause of the 1st amendment") is the same.
That is because there is a lot of money in circulation, and even if you removed it from new money, it would take decades or more for it to all (or most of it) go away.
2007-12-05 06:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by Barry C 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
About 95% of people in America believe (or at least claim to believe) in God. That means 95% of the people probably won't support you and certainly won't waste any time or effort on such a matter. Sorry, just let it be. What's it hurting you? How often do actually say or even think about the pledge? How often do you actually read your money? This country has much more important matters to deal with.
2007-12-05 06:20:57 · answer #3 · answered by melissa 5 · 7⤊ 2⤋
There is actually a case for this going on in the supreme court in San Francisco. The date is sometime this month I forget exactly when. The biggest problem is forming a case that includes evidence as to why these sayings personally hurt you or infringe upon your rights.
2007-12-05 07:59:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but you have no legal ground to stand on. The separation of church and state serves only to stop the government from proclaiming a state religion that everyone has to adhere to. Since our money does not say, "in Buddha we trust" or "in Jesus we trust" or "in Allah we trust" it cannot be framed in such a way that it would be declaring a state religion. God is a generic term that anyone can interpret any way they choose. Sorry, but you got nothing, and THANK GOD!!!!
2007-12-05 06:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You may be messing with mystical forces. If you look at dollar bill iconography, there is a lot of symbolism there that if messed with could bring down the country. Another reason not to meddle, the three or four million dollars to retool the printing plates plus the scare the release of a new bill would put on international markets to dump their dollars; that scare could trigger another world depression...and all because you object. Not going to happen, use your ire to build homes with Brad Pitt in the 9th Ward if you have too much time on your hands.
2007-12-05 06:25:34 · answer #6 · answered by LA Dave 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Lol, you have fun with that. Personally, all that hasn't changed my way of life, I spend dollars like they're dollars, regardless of that 'In God We Trust'. They all spend the same way. As for the pledge... If you ask a bunch of 1st graders on what they thought it meant, half probably would say something along the lines of "I don't know."
2007-12-05 06:22:21 · answer #7 · answered by Levi S 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Why is it so imperative that it be removed? Having "In God We Trust" on specie isn't going to kill you or make you a believer by osmosis. Is the simple existance of the word "God" on it enough to derange you and make your life unbearable?
The problem you'll have is that most people, regardless of their belief, see no harm being done by it. Nobody forces you to believe in God, nobody forces you to say, "under God" in the Pledge. Most people simply regard your crusade as you having a wild hair up your butt.
2007-12-05 06:23:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
You are in a minority, You have no reason to remove the wording other than the attention it would bring to you.
The words Under God has already been attacked by an atheist in Federal Court and he lost.
Most Americans like it the way it is.... So unless you just want to be a pariah Let it be.
2007-12-05 06:22:40 · answer #9 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Allah, Vishnu, Jehovah, God are all just words we mortal humans made to describe a narrow aspect of God we humans could recognize God has no names other then the ones we give him they are all equally acceptable in my eyes
2016-05-28 07:45:17 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋