Question by Atheism’s Advocate: In God We Trust and the Separation of Church and State?
I am not from the USA but don’t you have an amendment that states church/state separation?
Why does all your money have that motto printed on it and why does the president have to swear to god (or whatever reference is made to god) when he/she gets inaugurated?
Isn’t that a violation of your constitution or am I just not informed?
Best answer:
Answer by -±яǺvΐѕ-
I agree completely. I feel that we should not only have the “Freedom of Religion” but also the “Freedom FROM Religion”. amirite?
Add your own answer in the comments!
mae
December 5, 2010 at 7:07 pm
because this country used to have values.
separation of church and state is meant to protect the church, not the state.
Thea
December 5, 2010 at 7:25 pm
We do have that amendment, but it is definitely not being upheld.
Araina
December 5, 2010 at 7:45 pm
“Isn’t that a violation of your constitution or am I just not informed?”
Yes, it *is* a violation of the Constitution.
Unfortunately, violations of the Constitution are sometimes ignored.
The current issue of same-sex marriage is a perfect example. The 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal rights for all citizens, was passed in 1868, and yet in a century and a half, the rights promised by this amendment have been ignored by the government when it comes to granting same-sex couples their equal right to marry.
Addendum: gosam777 – “Because it isn’t referring to any specific god. It is meant to imply whatever, or whoever you choose to trust as your god.”
Yes it is (to your first sentence), and no it isn’t (to your second).
It doesn’t say “In a god we trust” (and even if it did, that’s specifically referring to some monotheism). It says “In God we trust”. It refers to God by name. That means the God of Abraham.
Regardless of anything, it’s religious in nature, and so not only is it completely unnecessary for it to be there, it simply doesn’t belong there at all.
If it said “In God, or some god and/or goddess, or multiple gods and/or goddesses, or no gods at all, do we trust”, *that* would be inclusive, but really, what would be the point?
Lance
December 5, 2010 at 8:06 pm
It definitely sounds like a double standard doesn’t it. All leaders have in mind is how to get a lot of money in a short little time. All the rest is simply a smoke screen, lies, rhetoric and bla bla bla. Separation of church/state has to be implemented because in one hand they are similar on the other hand they collide. Nothings perfect but the government tries their best.
gosam777
December 5, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Because it isn’t referring to any specific god. It is meant to imply whatever, or whoever you choose to trust as your god.
The constitution simply states the government shall not establish any specific religion as state sponsored.
birdsflies
December 5, 2010 at 8:48 pm
You are not informed, In my state where I live, we can buy licence plates for our cars saying in God we Trust, Or buy them without the words.
gelfling
December 5, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Yes, it IS a violation, which is why it will soon be abolished.
The funny thing is that the Ten Commandments FORBID the making of graven images, and also using the Lord’s name in vein. Having “In God We Trust” on money (a graven image) violates TWO Commandments. Also, the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. Do Christians REALLY think that God would WANT to be on it!?
When something is precious to you, you don’t put it in places where it can be abused by those who don’t value it. If anyone SHOULD be demanding that “God” be taken off of money, it is Christians.
Millions of Christians are walking around right now with multiple sins right in their pockets! I love the irony.
MC2=E
December 5, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Why is it that crime, drug abuse, the break down of the family, and a host of other problems are so much greater in the USA than in the rest of the world?
Must the President not take an oath?
If no oath is taken, will the citizens of the USA trust the President?
Diane the Succubus (PFLAG)
December 5, 2010 at 10:32 pm
The amendment you are referring to reads as such…
“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 an 1802 letter to Danbury Baptist Church Thomas Jefferson explained and referred to the meaning of the 1st amendment as creating “a wall of separation between church and state”… The phrase was subsequently quoted by the U.S. Supreme court in 1878 and then in a series of Supreme Court cases beginning in 1948…
The motto “In God We Trust” on American currency is indeed a violation of the 1st amendment as is the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Both the motto and the phrase were added in the 1950’s during the Cold War.. There are many reasons the two were added the largest of which was the Cold War and an attempt to equate the U.S. with religion or good and the U.S.S.R. with godlessness or bad…
I will reiterate yes the motto “In God We Trust” and the words in the phrase in the Pledge “Under God” are violations of the Constitution…
The U.S. Presidential Oath of Office reads…
” I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. ”
As you can see there is no reference to any deity in the official oath although many President’s have arbitrarily chosen to added a phrase of their own “So help me God” at the end… Also contrary to popular belief President’s are not required to take the oath while holding their hand on any book… That is also an arbitrary choice made by each President for his reasons…
A President choosing to add the words “So help me God.” or holding a hand on a bible < or any other book of their choosing> is not a violation of the Constitution as the President is exercising his right to free speech…
tony.mammano
December 5, 2010 at 11:19 pm
This country was formed using God’s standards as the ones we should follow. This because it was felt that these were fair and impartial, and supplied maximum freedoms within a sphere of control and protection, without the risk of the country or government getting out of control. Please note the result of our moving away from this standard.
The amendment of the Constitution you speak of has been interpreted incorrestly for years in an effort to make it say what people or certain movements wanted it to say. Simply, it attempts to avoid any one church or religion trying to assert itself with regard to government.
The motto “In God We Trust” serves as an affirmation that we understand and believe that the principles of God are the only principles that are able to actually affect prosperity and fairness among men. It was understood even then that men are carnal, and therefore, could not be trusted. We are all given to greed and such desires, and this surfaces when there is something we desire.
In other words, the Founding Fathers belived that of all the examples of government at their disposal, they unanimously decided that God obviously had the better idea, and I for one agree.
I would not say that you were not informed, but rather that you are under informed. I would also state, hopefully without offence, that your atheist position does not allow you to persue all the true facts, by virtue of dismissal. May you be granted knowledge and peace. Be well.
Buddy
December 5, 2010 at 11:57 pm
There is no amendment, or law that states the separation of Church and State. It was a Letter written by Jefferson to a Baptist preacher. We do have the freedom of religion, you can practice any religion you want to, or none at all.
Jim W
December 6, 2010 at 12:42 am
It is not a violation of the US Constitution and has been repeatedly upheld in the federal courts.
zuboko
December 6, 2010 at 1:04 am
It is not in our constitution. Many people are trying real hard to convince people it is but all the constitution says about religion is that Congress shall pass no laws about the establishment of religion. I am not sure about the exact wording but that is the basic gist of what it says.
liberty911
December 6, 2010 at 1:07 am
The first amendment to the US Constitution states:
“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.”
The motto on US money is: “In God We Trust”
The pledge to the flag which US school children say is:
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”
The amendment restricts Congress, not the people. Do the motto or the pledge establish a religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion? I think not.