US Currency v. Religious Tolerance

                An argument has been pushed back and forth across the country since at least 1984, if not longer, on whether the religious phrase “In God We Trust” should be removed from all US currency. The proposition of a Higher Power on the assets of a country supposedly free of a common religion stands in contrast to the American Constitution. Any pretext of religion should be removed from new paper money and coins being minted in the religiously tolerant United States.

            Placing religious phrases on US currency, in some ways, takes away the religious freedom that the United States is known for and is written about in the Constitution. Anne Nicol Gaylor, former President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation said, “The religious right needs to be reminded that ours is a godless Constitution, and was very purposefully and deliberately written that way.” (Gaylor) Keeping the phrase on the face of coins and paper money in the United States is making people look at and somewhat share a belief and trust in God when that choice is supposed to be left to their own consciences. This ‘favoritism’ is influencing others’ thoughts and belief systems and is not allowing the freedom to choose a religion because when some people look at a government supported saying and they trust that government, which most Americans do, they are going to find truth and promise in that statement when they otherwise would not have. Opponents do say, however, that it's not a matter of forcing religion down the populace's throat, it's showing them where the country came from and what it was first founded on. When those words are stamped into coins and printed onto bills that will be used nationwide, they're spreading the history and the knowledge that the fore father's brought across the oceans. However, Thomas Jefferson, an influential man who threw his lot in with the United States from the beginning and was a key player in writing the Constitution itself, supported the idea of total religious tolerance with this statement, “[N]o man shall be compelled to frequent or support and religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever.” (Jefferson) Jefferson agreed that every man has a right and a freedom to choose what he believes in, if he believes anything.

                Leaving the verbiage in question upon the US dollar and cent tears at the common bond that Americans share and splits the people into two parties: those who believe in God and those who don’t. Jon G. Murray put it this way to the Congressional House Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, “When the government of the United States sees fit to place the value of patriotism or adherence to constitutional principles predominantly in a religious context, whether on coins or in the form of a pledge or an oath, or an invocation, it serves to weaken the bonds that hold all citizens of this country in common.” (Murray) Having the phrase printed and stamped and sent out on every day American objects gives the appearance of the US government placing the believers above those who do not find that faith applicable with their attitudes, personalities, or lifestyles. Understand, though, that in the stamping and use of these words, the US is only trying to promote patriotism and belief in the country. The government will take any chance given to raise the hope and belief that people have in its sentiments and practices. A stable government needs the continuous support of its citizens so that it may work at full capacity. This requires the people to be happy with one another and with no rift separating them and their beliefs.

                This is also the start of something that could go much too far, something that can be the beginning of the US government taking too much from its people. Michael Newdow, JD and MD, was quoted as saying, “It’s such a fraud. In this nation that’s supposed to be this beacon on religious liberty, a bastion of equality. What’s next? ‘In Jesus We Trust’? ‘In Protestantism We Trust’?” (Newdow) The fear that the production of currency and change with profound religious diction set into the design is the first step taken by the government trying to take control of the average person’s life is firing up the debate. People want it gone. No one wants the chance of a socialist regime in the guise of a democratic government taking over the everyday choices of Americans. The government showcasing a profound announcement of favoritism towards Christian groups is a step towards throwing out the political structure as we know it to be and placing a new party in its place that will take over our choices, take over our freedom, and take over our lives. On the other hand, taking away the phrase could also be the start of something just as big, something that could take the rich history of the country away from its people. Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute, said this in a press release, “If the courts don’t protect the national motto, we have to ask ourselves ‘What is next- are we going to rename San Francisco and all the other major cities in California whose names have obvious religious connotations?’ American history, including our national motto, is nothing to be ashamed of. To the contrary, the unprecedented religious tolerance, devotion and diversity of our nation, reflected in the statement ‘In God We Trust,’ should be a tremendous source of pride for every American.” (Dacus)

            Crafting the religious utterance into the style and design of the United States’ Currency goes against the First Amendment and it places a divide among the people of the nation. It would be in the best interest of all to remove the saying from all future minting models. The debate could be cleared from the minds of the Senate and the time of the Congressmen could be better put to use on matters far more important if ‘In God We Trust’ could just be taken from the face of coins and paper money in the US.

                                                                                          Sources Cited

Dacus, Brad, July 25, 2006

Gaylor, Anne Nicol, Freethought Today, June-July 1994

Jefferson, Thomas, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1777-79

Murray, Jon G., September 14, 1988

Newdow, Michael, June 13, 2006