What about "IN GOD WE TRUST" on your money?

I saw on the news the other night that people are wanting to take the Phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" off of US Currancy.  It has been there since the inception of money and the forefathers made it so.   Personally I see more christians out there than non-christians that want it to stay on. 

Why are a few of those athestiast getting their way as it appears to the news stations.  Don't we as Christians matter?  Is this the beginning of the mark of the beast (666) with the  currancy having those precious words removed. Or having seperate currancy for both sides of the believers and non-believers.  I think this world is being very non spiritual right now.

If you are a non-believer, I don't hold you at fault. I just want to know what makes your belief trump what we already have in America.

I will just keep your soul in prayer.

Take care and God Bless You.

I don't know why they even care. Does it hurt people in some way?

All anyone ever pounds into our head about America is how we have freedom of religion.  If that's true, we'd have liqour sales on Sunday and no mention of God or anything in relation to religion on our money.

People have the right to freedom of speech, so if you want to display your little fishies on your cars or your rosaries on your rear view mirror, knock yourselves out!

I don't think the world is becoming non-spiritual but rather opening more doors for other forms of spirituality.  In my family, we're more earthy and while we do believe that some people believe there is God and there are gods and goddesses and deities and faeries and spirits and what have you, and we hold strongly to our beliefs, we don't force it off on to other people by handing out money that says, "Blessed be".  We keep quiet as to not offend others who don't necessarily share the same beliefs and appreciate it when others don't give us cross necklaces or cards with psalms on it.

"In God We Trust" suggests that everyone in America believes in God, and not everyone does. Those who do are free to display that on their personal property and say it all they would like, but people who don't believe shouldn't have to have it on their money when it isn't true for them. People who aren't religious should be able to buy alcohol on Sunday and pledge allegiance to their country, not God. Those who also want to swear to God should simply be free to add that in within their mind, heart, and lives; it should not be imposed on those who don't believe.

Those who want to be religious are and should be free to express it and live by their religious and personal values. Those who don't believe should not be held to it. The only laws that are necessary are those that are not related to religion, but rather to safety, crime control, and the like. This overlaps with religious values, but they are not the same, and at this time religion influences things like blue laws. This is the same idea with money--religion influences what our very dollar says, when it could just as easily say only its value, and those who believe in God can continue to trust in Him all day long without it being on money, while money is for everyone.

Plenty of people in America are very religious and spiritual. That's fine. Plenty of people aren't, and so no one religion--or any religion, should influence laws that apply to all and currency. Why does a religious belief trump freedom? Just because we already had it doesn't make it right. Why did women's belief they should vote trump what we already had, the right for men to vote? Saying that tradition is always right would have justified many things that were harmful or later found incorrect. The words on the currency don't restrict the rights or safety of anyone, that's true, but the government and believers should not have the power to make imply that the United States is a Christian nation. It is not. It is a secular nation with diverse people who have equal rights, and no one set of beliefs should be disseminated and followed in policy, or on currency. It's not the presence of the words that is unreasonably disliked--it's the obvious implication, that America trusts in God and that's how we all work here.

Transferring posts from a duplicate thread:

muttlover
May 25 2008 10:12
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Or having seperate currancy for both sides of the believers and non-believers.

HAH, dear god, if that happens... I think people are too easily offended by religion. I personally forgot that coins even said anything. I just see money as, hand a few quarters to the cashier, and get a pretty apple.

I also find it odd that Christian holidays are almost looked upon like Satan holidays. I was flipping through a Walgreens sale paper once, and it had Jewish and Muslim items and holidays stated. For example, Hanukkah Placemats: $9.99; however, they didn't say Christmas once. They want as far to say, "Holiday Santa Clause: $4.88" and "Holiday Reindeer: $6.55"

1heavenlybody
May 25 2008 10:22
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I agree with you people are too easily offended, but my stance is just a wondering question. I am not offended just saddened.  I like having people see the joy I have simply, put.

Take care and God Bless.

I'm on the side of what's the big deal?  Why not have it there?  If we were to eliminate everything from the public that can offend anyone that would be crazy.  Everything offends someone it seems. 

There was a sign advertising the movie The Nativity in a popular place in downtown Chicago and people were getting upset that it was there because of possibly offending people since it was in a spot on public property.  That in itself I could kind of understand.  What I didn't understand was the fact that it was mostly brought up because it was in the same space a festival was being held.  The funny thing is that festival was the Christkrindlmarket.  I was so confused by the hoopla.

Original Post by cellulitedelight:

All anyone ever pounds into our head about America is how we have freedom of religion.  If that's true, we'd have liqour sales on Sunday and no mention of God or anything in relation to religion on our money.

People have the right to freedom of speech, so if you want to display your little fishies on your cars or your rosaries on your rear view mirror, knock yourselves out!

I don't think the world is becoming non-spiritual but rather opening more doors for other forms of spirituality.  In my family, we're more earthy and while we do believe that some people believe there is God and there are gods and goddesses and deities and faeries and spirits and what have you, and we hold strongly to our beliefs, we don't force it off on to other people by handing out money that says, "Blessed be".  We keep quiet as to not offend others who don't necessarily share the same beliefs and appreciate it when others don't give us cross necklaces or cards with psalms on it.

 

I couldn't agree more.  I am a Christian and I think church and state need to be seperate simply because our government should respect all religious and treat them all the same. 

all it is, is words!

who cares, things change.  not everyone believes in a god.  You have to respect everyones beliefs. 

In god we trust has nothing to do with forefathers, nor was it on there since the invention of money (thousands of years ago??) ... it was implemented in the 1950s as an attempt to insert one religion (Christianity) into our non-religious government.

I also think that by eliminating anything that may offend someone we are just avoiding the differences we all have.  Those differences shouldn't be shamed out of society, they should be celebrated.  We all are different.  We all have different beliefs.  When someone "blesses" me with a common phrase of their religion I accept it without offense.  I am not Irish but try to wear green on St. Patrick's day.  I like to watch and or celebrate others' ethnic celebrations on occassion...I've attended the Chinese New Year celebration.  I've been to the Gay Pride parades.  I've wished friends Happy Hanakuah (sp?). 

IMO, people are too self centered and that is why so many things are so offensive to so many.

i think it's ironic that, of all places, this is declared on money.  i'm canadian, but i think if i lived in the US i'd use only plastic ;)

i also think that many christians aren't aware of how dominant christianity is in the US and canada.  it's pervasive in ways that aren't representative of today's population.  think about the bank & school holidays; most of them are based on christian tradition (stolen from paganism, yes, but observed for christian reasons).  i mean, what if you want to observe chinese new year or ramadan?  you're free to do that, but if you want to take time off school and/or work, you're going to be penalized for it.

i think the solstices should be holidays. 

Those holidays are 'tradition', who cares what they were originally based on (they aren't anything 'bad'). If I lived in China, and new years was a holiday, would I complain what it represents? Nope.

Why are a few of those athestiast getting their way as it appears to the news stations.  Don't we as Christians matter?  Is this the beginning of the mark of the beast (666) with the  currancy having those precious words removed. Or having seperate currancy for both sides of the believers and non-believers.  I think this world is being very non spiritual right now.

For starters, it's "atheist". And I don't think it's "a few atheists getting their way". The United States was founded on freedom of religion. That's why the Puritans came to America in the first place. Precious words? It's money. As others have said, as hard as it may be for you to understand, not everyone is a Christian. Yeah, those damn atheists... all 2% of them worldwide. And I love how you imply that not believing in God is equated with worshipping the devil.
I think everyone should be free to observe their major religious holidays without penalty (Hannakuh, Ramadan, etc) and kids in school shouldn't be forced to participate in Christmas festivities if they don't want to. The "Pledge of Allegiance" shouldn't be forced either. By the time I got to my freshman year of school, standing for the pledge was optional. Our teachers told us if we didn't feel comfortable saying the Pledge (because of the "one nation, under God...") that we didn't have to.
And no thanks, you don't have to "keep my soul in prayer". I'm happy with my atheist (possible soon-to-be Buddhist convert) soul. Thank you.

IMO, people are too self centered and that is why so many things are so offensive to so many.

Yes, because not wanting to give in to Christian ideals that you don't believe in is being self-centered.

"Tradition" doesn't mean that the original meaning still isn't there...

Pgeorgian - first of all "EMPLOYERS MUST ABIDE BY YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS" should you not choose to write down your holidays of celebration that is  your problem.  All employers that I have worked for has asked is their any days off you request or for religious beliefs.(That was after hire).  My one co-worker got it off for Ramadan, then later it was determined she did not celebrate it. She just wanted it off and had to give back the paid time off.

Also, to make a point into the non-christian side - holidays greetings must be said around christmas time as "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" not MERRY CHRISTMAS.  This is what society has changed to make things politically correct. So really who are we pleasing here?  Schools and places of public government take off the breaks for Spring Break - Not Easter.  Winter Break - not Christmas Break. I am old schooled. I was not raised to call it by that and I'll be chastized for having my son call it what I did. But that is our choice.  We force nothing on anyone, just ask for the same respect we give to others for their beliefs.

My greeting is "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays is for Thanksgiving time". SO I say In God We Trust, that is perfectly fine!

Take care and God Bless.

You're not giving respect to other beliefs, 1heavenlybody. You're being completely condescending and acting very high and mighty towards those who don't share your same religious beliefs and to those who think "in God we trust" shouldn't be on US currency.

And how do you determine that your co-worker didn't celebrate Ramadan? Do you know what Ramadan is and what it entails?

you might feel differently if you were a chinese canadian, vice.  that's kind-of the point.  "tradition" is often just an excuse to ignore diversity.

ali, the OP not only equates atheism with devil worship, but assumes (again) that atheists aren't spiritual.  most of the atheists i know are far more spiritual than many christians.

as far as the spelling/grammar - it's just too easy.

Of course, pg. We have no souls and worship the devil. That rules out any possibility of spirituality, eh?

My one co-worker got it off for Ramadan, then later it was determined she did not celebrate it. She just wanted it off and had to give back the paid time off.

um...so?  i've been taking christmas off my whole life, and i don't celebrate the birth of christ.  i think you just proved that your co-worker was discriminated against.

Also, to make a point into the non-christian side - holidays greetings must be said around christmas time as "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" not MERRY CHRISTMAS.  This is what society has changed to make things politically correct. So really who are we pleasing here?  Schools and places of public government take off the breaks for Spring Break - Not Easter.  Winter Break - not Christmas Break. I am old schooled. I was not raised to call it by that and I'll be chastized for having my son call it what I did. But that is our choice.  We force nothing on anyone, just ask for the same respect we give to others for their beliefs.

you can call it what you want and greet people how you want.  calling it "winter break" is a nod of respect toward people who don't believe in christ; but it still spans december 25.  that accomodates christians and no one else.

out of respect for others' beliefs, i have refrained from putting a darwin fish on my car.  i really want a darwin fish, but i won't do that (okay, maybe it's less respect and more fear of inciting road rage).  i also don't hang upside-down crosses on my walls or wear a glow-in-the-dark ATHEIST tee-shirt or say what i really want to say to the pro-lifer who stands outside my local hospital every day.  that's respect. 

Original Post by alibuch:
IMO, people are too self centered and that is why so many things are so offensive to so many.

Yes, because not wanting to give in to Christian ideals that you don't believe in is being self-centered.

"Tradition" doesn't mean that the original meaning still isn't there...

 Nowhere in my post that you are quoting do I mention that not giving into Christian ideals you don't believe in is being self centered.  My post was to say quite the opposite in fact.  If you read it in its entirety I talk about embracing the differences we have.  Acceptance of the differences and others' rights to celebrate or not celebrate whatever they want.  Why should one take offense because someone is wishing them well in their own way of speaking.  Why should someone saying God be with you or Yash ta mash (sp?) or Shalom to me offend me when they are positive greetings?  Or they are celebrating something and wish me the same joys they're going to indulge in?  It's not like someone is wishing me ill will.  They're just saying what they're saying because that's their way. 

The self centerdness I am referring to is people don't want others to say anything that doesn't directly pertain to their own beliefs, whatever they may be.  It's all about me, so don't say nee how to me because...do I look Chinese?  Pu-lease!  If we want to live peacefully together then accepting differences instead of always noticing differences is a better route to take IMO.

I read the rest of your post. I just misinterpreted the last part. Sorry. :)

Well maybe if lots of people immigrated to China, they could change their holidays too. I mean are you really complaining about a holiday (you'd rather be at work/school?) just because of how it originated? I'm all for Chinese new years and Ramadan being holidays, but then everyone would have to get those days off too, since they get off on Christian holidays.

but it still spans december 25. that accomodates christians and no one else.

so? If you aren't Christian, it's only a freakin number...

I don't think it's a nod of respect, I think it's pretty silly to be offended because 'Christ' is included in some words, Christmas is just a word if that's all it means to you. If I ever move to Israel maybe I should start calling it candlestick day...to touch on what muttlover mentioned.