In God We Trust must be preserved

the last time i checked, laws rule in a republic. and despite what the media machine would have you believe.. America was founded as a republic.

"In God we trust' was not legislated to be on all coins and paper currency until July 11, 1955. Th Pledge was written in 1892 and the phrase "under God" was not added until 1954 after a campaign by the Catholic group Knights of Columbus, feeling that it needed a reference to a deity and in reference to Lincoln using the phrase in the Gettysburg Address. Funny that all the southern apologists are honoring Lincoln when they say the Pledge.

I am a Christian so I don't have a problem with "in god we trust" or anything else in fact I like it. However, the religous right does seem to make up how much the founders wanted religion to be a central theme in our govt. They clearly were personally religous in some instances but didn't seem to want it in govt much as revisionist try to ad it in.

Amen, concernednative. Anyone who advocates mixing church and state should consider its effects in Iran and Afghanistan. Islamic REPUBLIC? A great oxymoron, but does very little to promote social justice.

This is another hot button issue that needs to go away. I am a fiscal conservative and generally vote Republican but I am not in favor of stamping "In God We Trust" and the ten commandments on our money or our government buildings. The religious right needs to concede that there are a growing number of US citizens that are not religious, don't believe in god, or who are closet atheist who really don't believe but say they believe because it's what's socially acceptable in their circles. They argue that the country was founded on Judeo-Christian values and we need to stamp them on everything. The values this country was founded on were stated in the Constitution, along with a separation of church and state. Taking "In God We Trust" off of our money and our government buildings does not make this a godless nation. It is merely an affirmation that this nation's GOVERNMENT does not seek to force any religion or belief in a god on it's citizens. Do you really think God, or this nation, can't survive unless we stamp his name on our buildings? If so, I'd say you don't have much faith in either.

Possibly the first time I've agreed with you, Mad Max. I always wonder why some people seem to feel their god needs constant P.R. I was raised to believe that praying on street corners was what Pharisees did. Judging from all the bumper stickers, there are lots of Pharisees around these days.

Nixon, there is a difference in a private organization such as the Gideons putting Bibles in hotel rooms and the government forcing religion down your throat. "In God We Trust" is the national motto, but it shouldn't be, giving the First Amendment, but it's a lost cause for us - at least for the immediate future - for those of who don't believe in myth.

"Grouse" --- I agree. Religion has caused more problems, wars and savagery than any other reason in history -- look at the Taliban, Osama bin Laden, Hamas, Hezbollah, the ultra-orthodox in Israel, etc., etc. All over the world religious fanatics are doing nothing but causing troubles - and that includes a potful of Christian fanatics.

I don't need "In God We Trust" on my money to know how I feel about God and my religion. And I wouldn't say the Pledge unless I had to with the kindergarteners. I don't need to say "one nation under God" to know how I feel about God and my religion or my country. Patriotism and religion is something that is either with you all the time or not, and printing it on money or saying a pledge is meaningless. Do all of you say the Pledge every day? I think not unless you're involved in a school. Does not saying it make you any less patriotic?

Just some thoughts; There are reliefs of the 10 commandments inside & outside the Supreme Court Building.The Supreme Court Crier says at every opening of the Court, "God save the USA & this honorable court."Congress begins with a prayer everyday. The armed forces have chaplins.Pres.Obama told the Muslim world, "I am a Christian."Most of our state mottos mention God,or The Creator,or Divine Providence.There is a national day of prayer.At Government functions I've heard "God Bless America" sung.It seems like some folks try & try to get rid of Him,but He's always there.

Here comes another bible-thumper, James Nixon, who feels the need to act as his god's advertising agent. Nixon exposes his ignorance and agenda when he says: "The last time I checked, the majority rules in a democracy.." He should "check" more carefully, since, of course, the USA is a republic, not a democracy. And, his "majority rules" comment is exactly why the Founders established a republic, not a democracy. They were concerned about the Nixons of the world, and that they would in engage in "tyranny by the majority," in this case, religious tyranny by the majority. Nixon's god must be of the puny sort, if he/she/it needs Nixon's help to get the holy word out. As Mark Twain said, "It's not what I don't understand about religion that scares me, it's what I do understand." The country had a very bad experience with another Nixon. Let's hope the screwy, rabidly evangelical ideas of this Nixon, along with his politician heroes, Lungren and Jim (The Demented) DeMInt don't prevail. I am reminded of Jerry Falwell after he died. He was so full of s*** that if he had been given an enema after his death, he could have been buried in a matchbox.

To The Knave:The info I have says the quote by Mark Twain goes like this,"Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture which they cannot understand;but as for me,I always notice that the passages in Scripture which trouble me the most are those which I do understand."

Twain had it right. People want to deny that there's any absolute authority over them to whom they must eventually answer. The more insecure they are with this concept of "God", the louder and more vehemently they try to deny His existence (see Knave above). Sounds like they are actually trying to convince themselves, doesn't it? Notice that no one criticizes God, just "religion" (which, for sure, can be pretty messed up) and fallible people. Don't cast judgment on God based on what people do. Check out what He says, and take up your case with Him. He tells us very directly that you have the right and priviledge to deny His existence at this point in time. He respects your opinion and free will. However, your options will one day run out, and your knee will bow and you will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Your choice: Bow now, or bow later. You can put it off, but you can't escape the inevitable. Totally your choice regarding the timing of your eventual and certain admission that there really is a God.