"IN GOD WE TRUST" Must go! [View all]

[NonMetro]

As I was watching the Pope standing at the podium in congress, my eyes were drawn to these words, emblazoned in granite in bold lettering directly above his head: IN GOD WE TRUST. I realized then exactly how intimidating and coercive these words would be for anyone sitting there who didn't believe in God. It's a violation of our doctrine of separation of church and state, just as putting the words "UNDER GOD" in the pledge is.

Both of these things were done back in the 1950's, during the McCarthy era, and both were passed by congress and signed into law by the president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. They are both unconstitutional because they are both laws passed by congress respecting an establishment of religion. Now, the Supreme Court and every other judge in this country can say they are constitutional all day, every day. But that does not change the truth: they are unconstitutional.

The country is a lot different today than it was 60 years ago. The number of atheists and agnostics, who are completely underrepresented in our congress, is approaching 25% of the population. And there is what? One atheist in congress? I'm suggesting here that a government that favors believers will be primarily comprised of believers, and this has resulted in a substantial part if our population being extremely underrepresented for decades.

The national motto needs to be changed back to e pluribus unum, and the words "under God" must be taken out and the original wording of the pledge restored. It's time!