The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 38, September 4, 2005, Article 14

IN GOD WE TRUST

In an earlier issue of E-Sylum, J. A. McNerney wrote:
"The subject of the motto “In God We Trust” has always
been one of particular interest to me. I agree with Theodore
Roosevelt that God's name on money is sacrilegious, not
to mention a violation of the First Amendment of our
Constitution.

We need to be careful when we make arguments based on
Article One of the Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
It says...

"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."

In response, Sam Deep writes: "Clearly, "In God We Trust"
on our coins does not violate this Article. What it does appear
to infringe upon is the "Wall of Separation" metaphor created
decades ago by an ACLU attorney. So the question is
whether you follow the clear intent of our founders with
regard to honoring God (demonstrated in many ways by
them) or that of an ACLU attorney.

That said, the thoughts of Theodore Roosevelt are, however,
worthy of an interesting debate. Is putting God's name on our
currency (coins and paper money) sacrilegious? I can think
of reasons to take both sides in this argument--one that
probably falls outside the editorial bounds of E-Sylum."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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