Atheist challenges 'In God We Trust'

As a wise athiest once told me"people who believe all that God stuff are just fools" so why is everybody trying to convince a bunch of fools anything?????????

You take the time to 'correct' every dollar that comes your way? That's kind of a sad little hobby. Maybe you should call the guy who keeps filing all these asinine lawsuits and see if he's free for dinner because both of you clearly have way too much time on your hands.

The Christian/catholic priest that was involved in the writing of the pledge did not include the "Under God" in it. that was added later by someone else. Besides money shouldn't be spent on making sure that the simple "In god we trust" saying is removed. the economy is drained as it is... is it really worth sinking into another depression over 4 simple words? Doing this might cause bills with the saying to become un-spendable, meaningless... they'll turn into collector's items and less bills will be in circulation due to the withdrawal of these bills.

Apparently there seems to be a lot of people with to much time on there hands that they need to worry about what is printed on currency there is a simple solution to this problem. LEAVE THE COUNTRY IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT! try going to Mexico and change what is written on there currency.

Very good point Alanna-422784. Never looked at it at that point of view

Go ahead, gbartt... Keep on drinking the kool-aid. And, God have mercy on your soul. You have WAY too much time on your hands (just like the guy bringing the law suit) You're from California, aren't you???

It seems to me, Atheism is a matter of faith, too, therefore, a form of religion (religion, literally meaning "to bind people together"). To remove any reference to God might be construed as suggesting Atheism being the state religion.

I suggest everyone in this conversation read Jon Meachem's "The American Gospel," which gives an historically accurate account of the part religion played in the founding of our country. Obviously, the first European settlers in this country were primarily Christian escaping from the corruption of the combination of church and state in Europe. However, in order to guarantee religious freedom they intentionally established a secular government. It seems getting our historical facts straight can help our discussion.

The United States has started a downward plunge when allowing spiritual minorities to push the Christian population into an age of petulance incomparable to any other time period. We are now no different than those medieval kingdoms in which the common man had no say in government unless he were wrought with disease and plague. The very people who should be helped, are searching for something to save them. They try to alter government to find meaning in life, but why? Why are they not instead spending their time in a more productive facet? These so called atheists could just leave their unbelief to themselves, but instead, they are reaching out to more people, longing to be accepted. They are looking for love in all the wrong places. Well I will still love them, I don't agree with them, but I still love them.

Maybe that is what the United States needs more than a change of currency, or a change of pledge. Maybe the United States needs a change of heart. God bless the Atheist, and allow them to receive an unsurpassed amount of grace.

A little insight into how the Bible translates the thinking of an atheist.
"If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me." The Atheist views the Christian as barbaric, because he does not understand what it is that the Christian is saying... the same is also true of the reverse.

So Christians, refer back to Jesus and the disciples in Matthew 22:36-40...

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Love the sinner, even if you hate the sin...

It is not unconstitutional to have In God We Trust on our currency. The 1st Amendment says that the government won't "establish" a religion in America. Having these words on the coins doesn't establish anything. The name "God" refers to many religions so it can't be seen as an establishment of any particular faith. It does, however, give us the freedom to say as a country that we believe in something, and atheists do believe in something also.

I feel it's wrong that such a small number of people have the power to change something like this that most people in our country cherish. There are such things as debit and credit cards and checks. Why can't this guy with others just not use the money that offends them so? That's what people say to me when I oppose movies or TV programs. They say "well you have the freedom to not watch it", so I say to this guy, "You have the freedom to stop using the currency and use other methods of payment."

I'm not offended by the presence of the statement "In God We Trust" on our currency because I'm an athiest, because I'm not. I believe in God. I'm offended by the presence of God on our currency and in our allegiance, because if the government can ignore the constitution, then what else are they abusing? Let me correct myself: I'm not offended. I'm scared.

This should not be a debate about whether a person believes in God or not. It should be a discussion of whether our government is doing what it should do to keep itself impartial and constitutional.

If I can separate church and state, why can't they?

You couldn't be more wrong. #1, the Founders were 98 % church people. #2, the First
Amendment just says that there should not be a state church religion. Most of the early settlers were from England and had escaped the ruling king and Church of England. The elite English noblemen didn't want the ordinary people to have guns either, as they wanted complete control. So too, the Founders knew the importance of allowing freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

You take God out of America, and this country ceases to be either United or better than any other feudal totalitarian slave state. We gain our significance as citizens of the United States of America because we all can worship God where we please, when we please and how we please. We are all important in God's eyes. Even a dim-wit like David Newdow and his unless attempt to keep the reminder of God's plan from our sight can be allowed. I wouldn't TRUST someone like him as 'dog-catcher', let alone as my councilor or father. The little daughter is lucky she lives elsewhere.

McLoy.... Thank you. I couldn't have said it better. I actually feel sorry for these people who find it so necessary to attack Christianity as if they have nothing better to do with their time. So I say, continue to love God, believe, and share your love with your neighbor. If they cannot understand our faith, we can at least prove to them that our faith is worthy of respect.
I personally don't want the phrase taken off of money for historical reason and for the fact that it represents our freedom to choose our 'God.' I pray for the atheist and those set on attacking Christians or any other faith. I do not attack sinners for their sins, I pray that they find the righteous path, so why am I attacked?

Which "God" should we make sure not to take out of America? Venus? Zoroaster? Zeus? Thor? Hera? Isis? Ganesh? At least David Newdow isn't too dimwitted to understand that by using the term "God" on our currency rather than "Gods", the State is declaring our trust in the monotheists' god over polytheistic gods, and thereby endorsing a monotheistic religion. Why is it fine with you to dismiss whole Pantheons of gods from our currency, but not okay for anyone to dismiss your one god? Are you saying that "we all can worship God where we please, when we please and how we please", as long as: 1. we're worshipping "God" and not "Gods", or 2. our money is dedicated to your "God", and not other peoples' "Gods"?

Or would you support an amendment to change the motto to "In Gods We Trust" in order to make it more inclusive of polytheism as well as monotheism?

We agree on one thing: I don't trust dim-wits either.

Referring to the comment by Alanna-422784 (which mentions new bills becoming unusable and sinking us into a depression):

Seriously, is this the level of critical thinking that results in not thinking critically about religion?? Our currency has changed so many times over the years - has ANY of those changes ever caused an economic depression?? Is her fear of new bills being unusable caused by what she read in history books happened to the old bills when the motto was added in the first place, which was...let's see...NOTHING! We've changed portraits, colors, mottos, just about everything that can be changed on our bills with no ill effect, but if we make THIS change, the "old bills will be unusable"???? Does anyone else see why atheists fear that blind faith engenders low levels of reasoning and logic??

Geez....

If God doesn't exist, why is everyone so upset about the use of His name on our currency. Why are atheists so threatened by something that they claim not to believe in? Grow up and find a really productive cause to champion - like the state of mass incarceration in America, starving children in American streets, the IRS, whatever.

It's correct that the United States wasn't founded on the Christian religion, but on freedom of religion - and we should all have that. I am proud to call myself and Christian person and, as such, I feel no need to sit in judgment of another's beliefs. It offends me when individuals attempt to cram their beliefs down the throats of others, regardless of their religious preferences. What is it costing you to have a motto on American currency?

gbartthenerd, the authors of the Constitution didn't write the Treaty of Tripoli. Also, written admission of the crime of defacing federal currency probably isn't the brightest thing you've done recently (your posts here not included, of course, as they are also among your not brightest, IMO).

There are a lot of dim-witted people out there. Too many of the comments made are made just on the spur of the moment. People are forgetting to think before they act, talk, and write. That is why we have this long list of comments about comments, about comments.
What we need is not to spend more American tax dollars changing the bills AGAIN, But for people to understand. As others before me stated, separation of church and state, does not refer to not mentioning anything about religion in any government business, or not mentioning anything about the government in any religious activities. Rather it means, that there is no to be any control of the government over the church, or of the church over the government. As stated before, this was because the majority of the founders of this country were sick and tired of being pushed around by the church/government.
Also, as stated before, Atheism is also a religion, believe it or not. And in my experience with my atheist friends, most atheists are only atheists because something bad happened either to them or someone they love. And they are under the denial that a "loving god" would allow that. Then they convince themselves to believe that there is not "God." Others are simply convinced by their friends that there is no "god." In any case it is just as much a religion as Christianity, Catholicism, Mormonism, polytheism, etc.
It is sad how that the people who are said to be the majority have become pushed to the minority. The ones who were being abused are doing the abusing. Those who once were said to have been prejudiced, are now being the victims of prejudice. But nothing is or can be done about it because the first are still considered the "minority."

JB-421483As a wise atheist once told me"people who believe all that God stuff are just fools" so why is everybody trying to convince a bunch of fools anything?????????
Bring on the debate...

1)Matthew Ch 5 - 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, 9 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thank you for persecuting my brethern! You have helped us grow closer to God!

2) US Constitution Amend 1 - 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. Let's see, No Law respecting the establishment of religion. In God We Trust - How does this respect the Establishment of a religion? Would you prefer In Allah we Trust? In Darwin we Trust? In nothing we Trust? In Al Gore we Trust? In Edwards & Clinton we Trust? In Bush we Trust? I would be fine with that. What about Prohibiting the Free Exercise thereof...do you and your brother attempt this on a daily basis? Do you not try to prohibit the free exercise of religion? School Prayer, vouchers, Christmas....it is you that is violating the US Constitution. 92% if the US polled (NPR June 23, 2008) It seems like Amendment 10 is being trampled by 8% of the population. for those that do not know....Amend 10 - Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. The people have spoken - 92% - In God We Trust.

One day God will correct you.

You apparently have no idea why our forefathers came to America in the first place. You really need to do some more research. The King of England demanded that his people worshipped in the Catholic regligion, so they fled England in search of a new country so they could worship God in their own way. Our country is based on religion wether you like it or not. You have the right to not worship God, or believe in Him, but in turn we have the right to worship, and our currency was based on what our forefathers decided in the 1800's...you honestly think you can change that?
You are free to stay here, but you are also free to leave and live in a country that doesnt believe in God...dont let the door hit you on the way out!

One since you do not actually know any of the founding Fathers you can not know their beliefs. And in case you have not noticed, since we started taking God out of our schools and out of the public in general more and more children are dying in school. School should be about learning and developing as a person, which by the way should include some kind of belief, and some fights and teasing but not death. Once all you worried about was paddling or your parents finding out what you did, but now that we have removed God you need to worry about staying alive. One Nation under God is the way it is and the way it should remain. Oh and lets say your right God does not exist and I believe my whole life what harm did it do other than possibly making me a better person? On the other hand if your wrong and he does exist and you do not believe your whole life, well that would be pretty bad gamble to take my friend.

How offended was that little girl in China, that sang with a beautiful voice, but her government thought she was to ugly to be seen by a national audience. We will never know how she really feels, because in China, if your ugly, your not equal.
This man may be offended by "IN GOD We TRUST", but thanks be to our God, this nation was founded upon principals that acknowledge a higher power. God is Love. Without the presence of God's word, our Founding Fathers could not have penned a more perfect Declaration of Independence.
Thanks to God, and the love commanded by God, we Love our neighbor.
Even the "Atheist" get offended when they hear about a dictatorship abusing citizens.
If not, we would applaud what the Chinese did to that little girl. Our Trust in God separates us from every nation. If "In God We Trust Offends you, think about being in China, your little girl worked hard for months learning this song. You and your wife are so excited, the grandparents have purchased tickets to see their sweet grandchild do her song, and the phone rings. Your daughter will not perform live, she is ugly. We will use her voice and lip sing with a pretty little girl. Without God in Government, who cares who it offends, it is not your call, it is the Governments call.

As everyone who has ever read the Constitution of the United States knows, this great nation was founded and based on Christianity -- not any specific type of religion, but simply Christianity and all the values, morals and attitudes that made this Country great. However, we have allowed ourselves to get so far from those particular beliefs that this nation is suffering greatly...and rather than try to fix the problems, we seem to just get deeper and farther away from the beliefs and values that made this nation what it could be. Whatever happened to simply accepting responsibility for one's actions, morals, and or even the freedoms that we all take for granted? Why does any one person or group have the right to dictate what anyone else does or believes? We need to stand firm on our beliefs and call a spade, a spade.

I personally believe in a beneficent God. However, I do respect the right of those who do not believe. All I ask is the same courtesy be applied to me - that I be allowed to believe the way I wish. The fact that "In God We Trust" is on our currency, and "Under God" is in our Pledge of Allegiance, does not force anyone to believe anything. If you read a book that has an opposing view, do you feel that you are being forced to believe it? Of course not. It is up to the reader to determine what to believe or not believe. That is what freedom is all about.

We, as a nation, should stop worrying about keeping each other under control and start working together. The words that are used on our currency does not prevent anyone from spending it. The Pledge of Allegiance does not force anyone to believe in anything. It merely states that we pedge allegiance to our country.

Our forefathers did not come to America to seek Freedom From Religion. They came here to seek Freedom OF Religion. That means that we are all free to believe in what we will, whether it be God, little green men, magic mirrors, or anything else we wish. Simply putting a few words on our currency or in our pledge does not force anyone to believe. You are not expected to believe everything you read. But we who do believe should not be persecuted simply because we do believe.

I do not force religion on anyone. Why should atheists be allowed to force their non-belief on me? Wake up and smell the coffee, people. Our country has many more problems to which you could devote this energy. If you spent half the time on making life better for others that you spend on these ridiculous crusades, the world would be a much finer pace to live in.

First, and foremost, the Constitution does not say anything about Freedom from Religion. Mr. Newdow has attempted for years to change that Fact, and he cannot. He wastes the time and money of the USSC. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States reads, as follows: "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."

Secondly, the Founders of this great Nation did not include anything about other religions in either the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence.

Finally, no matter what the atheists claim, the defacing of the currency of this land does nothing but break the law. Sadly, too many atheists believe that the means justifies the end.

God Bless America!

Below are the first several statements of the Declaration of Independence. Please note that it was signed by all, please note

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--

God Bless You!!!!!

Reminds me of a joke I read where the atheist was suing the US because they did not have their own holiday, however it was thrown out because the bible says anyone who does not believe in God is a fool, and fools holiday is April 1. I wonder why this person thinks all those people sailed to America from Britain. The history I read was they disagreed with the taxes and being told how they could worship. As a Christian, my bible reads that I am to worship my God however, We are also to follow the law of the land. These laws are voted in by the people. Just because these foolish people have money to burn to make their opinions public doesn't make them right. Put it to a vote, again? And lets see where they stand on judgment day:) I can wait. BKMichels--West Virginia

God is the creator of our world.  We live in His world, he is our ruler, saviour, father, priest, the one to whom we take our problems to.  He gives us divine guidance and takes care of us when we ask for His help.   He died on the cross for us, took our sins, and washes us with His love.  We honor Him because we Love Him.  He is our divine leader, the one we can confide in and believe in His infinite love.    Those who do not believe will one day be sorry and call upon Him to save them.  Why should He; however, He will save everyone who asks.   Ask and ye shall receive.   Without God we are nothing, with Him we are loved and cherished. And God does exist, He is everywhere.

It is funny how a few think they have the right to control the majority and even try to change history. This is not about religion and the state/government but the hatred of God and His being God over them, which they hate. Without Godly morals all you are left with is Russia, China, Iran and etc.... You might say Iran they are very religious in the state/government, but notice there god's outlook on their on people. I know many like to add all the religions of the world in one big pot but that is another wrong, that just shows the hate of the ones doing so. Christianity is the only religion in the world where God himself died for us, instead of him (their god) telling them to die for him. Big difference. Jesus tells us to love everyone, but this is where some get mixed up. True love not only has loving kindness and the feel good emotion but true love also means that Jesus will punish His children out of love. This is like the reason a good parent punishes a child that continues to run out in the road to play or whatever. They do not punish the child because they hate them but because they love them greatly. If you honestly look into our past you will have to see that Christianity is a BIG part of our past government. Many hurtful laws suits makes some happy but that does NOT change the truth. Just because a person in power takes the law into his own hands and changes the written laws who hate God, that does not mean they have run God off. It is so sad that these few God haters have and are trying their best in destroying our country, and I simply ask why? If Jesus is not real why are they so scared of Him? No real Christian and there is a difference in a real Christian and someone who says they are a Christian, just like there is a difference between someone who says they are honest and the ones who are honest. I can say I am a billionaire but that does not mean I am, it just means I lie. If you really love America then stop with the God hating and start showing if you can how you can do good without our Jesus? I am serious about this, by fighting against evil. If you want to fight against something worth while fight against evil like all the killing in America, the illegal drugs, children used for sex and many more truly evil/bad things. This always makes me angry, how the God (Jesus) haters want Him gone, but a lot of the evil I just mentioned is not that bad or even worse ok. You say that is not true and I say watch TV for a day and see all the sex, lying, making fun of good and building up bad behavior. How many kids must die before we wake up. By the way, who is your 20th great, great, great, ..., grandfather? Just because you don't know does not mean he is not real!

leave it to atheists to complain about everything. They just can't seem to be content with anything, even the natural way of marriage as God intended. Atheists spend too much time corrupting and tearing down this nation instead of building it up.

Doesn't anybody have anything better to do than to sue over such dribble??
We waste our time and money to try and change what our forefathers forged and fought
for for us, their heirs. So far all we have been doing is squandering our inheritance.
Remember that we were thrown out of Europe because of religious differences(among other things) Embrace what we have and work with it, not against it.!

Our Declaration of Independence contains the phrase, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as we all know. These words are the foundation of our liberty in the United States. Placing the phrase "In God We Trust" on our coins is, in my view, perfectly consistent with our founding fathers' intentions as exhibited in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. If the small minority of atheists in this country is allowed to overturn the cornerstone belief of our nation, then they will be weakening the legal basis for all Americans liberty, both believers and non-believers.

Our Declaration of Independence contains the phrase, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as we all know. These words are the foundation of our liberty in the United States. Placing the phrase "In God We Trust" on our coins is, in my view, perfectly consistent with our founding fathers intentions as exhibited in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. If the small minority of atheists in this country is allowed to overturn the cornerstone belief of our nation, then they will be weakening the legal basis for all Americans liberty, both believers and non-believers.

Our Declaration of Independence contains the phrase, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as we all know. These words are the foundation of our liberty in the United States. Placing the phrase "In God We Trust" on our coins is, in my view, perfectly consistent with our founding fathers intentions as exhibited in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. If the small minority of atheists in this country is allowed to overturn the cornerstone belief of our nation, then they will be weakening the legal basis for all Americans liberty, both believers and non-believers.

I am a believer in a supreme being. I also believe the government should not endorse any religion. But whether you believe or not, what consequence is there for the phrase being on our currency? Does it make it any less valuable? Does it convert folks to take up a belief in God? Money serves one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to purchase goods. What bothers me most about the whole matter is that this is taking up court time that could be spent on MUCH more important matters. And speaking of the legal system, where do most people believe the principles that were used to establish it came from? Look at how closely those principles resemble religious teachings.

Folks, get real and get focused on what's important. This story is over two years old, and is a dead issue. Even if it is real and current, we, as Christians, are not called to oppose our government at every perceived threat, but to submit to authorities and to serve God by serving others. Please get back to what Jesus taught if you claim to be His follower.

gbartthenerd: Wow. I can't believe that you are so childish that you actually "correct" every dollar that passes through your possession. Somebody has no life! Guess that explains the "nerd" part of your screen name. No God? Better hope that you're right. Otherwise....it's gonna' be a long, hot eternity for you my brother.

You miss the point, the CREATOR that the founder's mentioned was not necessarily a Christian Creator, nor a Jewish, nor a Pagan nor a Muslim one. Just The Creator, the GOD. There is nothing in the phrase "In God We Trust" that suggests Christianity at all. It does not say "Jesus Saves", Christ is With Us, or anything of the sort. It is no different from the English and German phrases "Gott Mitt Uns", and denotes no particular religion. Futhermore, if God does not exist, as atheists believe, then what difference does it make anyway?

It's in the decoration of independence that we have "Freedom OF religion" not freedom from religion!

Gbartthenerd - Wow! Your name says it all! You are obviously either a bald-faced liar or totally ignorant of the faith of our founding fathers! On what do you base your statement concerning atheist or deist founding fathers? Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christian ministers, nearly all professed belief in a Creator God as stated in the first line of the Declaration of Indpendence of the United States which references "Nature's God" and in the preamble where the writers proclaim "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator..." Now, you may want to argue that the Creator referenced here was not thought to be God. However, you would be equally wrong in your assertion. Please inform yourself better concerning the history of our great nation.

It is deliberate disinformation such as this that is destroying our country, society and individuals with a false history! If you really want to know and profess the truth about the founding of our country, read what the Founding Fathers biographies at this website: www.faithofourfathers.org.

Good luck with that truth problem!!!

Gbartthenerd
Obviously you aren't as well read as you claim. There are scores of documents that support the fact that most of the authors of the Constitution were, in fact, Christians. Even Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin commented that the only way that this Constitution would stand was if it were implemented in a nation that held fundamental Christian beliefs.
Whether God exists or not is not part of this argument. What is the argument is if the phrases 'In God We Trust' and 'One Nation Under God' violate the 1st amendment.
The 1st Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; . . .". By using these phrases, they are not endorsing a particular religion or forcing anyone to adhere to a specific religion's rules or governance.
The so called 'separation of church and state' does not appear anywhere in the constitution. The 1st amendment was never meant to separate God from government and government from God, but to ensure that the government would not be the church and vice versa - similar to the Church of England was during colonial times.

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE-GET A LIFE. Aren't there enough problems in our world today or do we have to continually have to come up with ridiculous reasons that "we" are not happy. GET OVER IT and find something better to do with your time. There is not one thing in the United States government, constitution, nor in the Country itself that is going to be able to please each and every single citizen. It's simply not possible, for each one of us is created differently, BY GOD, whether we choose to love Him back or not. We need to band together as a NATION, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. that cannot be accomplished if we are constantly fighting against each other. So much precious time is wasted arguing over what is right, wrong and indifferent that nothing ever seems to be solved. We are putting so much emphasis on the position of words instead of simply understanding & living the meaning. Stop complaining and grow up. United States has become SO free that we are all captive to each other. Talk about irony.

If you want to change the world so much, how about having a conversation with the homeless person on the corner, fostering an unwanted or troubled child, protest the war in Iraq, take a stand against violence, volunteer at a retirement home--ANYTHING!!

Changing the world has nothing to do with taking God off of currency because God has nothing to do with money. We need to trust in God, not money anyhow. Money is gone in a heartbeat. It is written, "A nation divided against itself will fall." keep all this up and we're going straight to hell...i've already got the handbasket prepared.

While the phrase "In God We Trust" doesn't particularly bother me, I can see where it is not inclusive of all religions. "Under God" in the pledge of allegiance bothers me more. While I think most Jews don't mind the phrase "God" despite their religion usually referring to him by another name, it doesn't take into account Buddha, Allah, or the Hindu god (Khali?), none of whom are generally called "God." To embrace and support all beliefs means recognizing that not all people who have faith pray to the same name that Christians do. And while Christians are the majority in this country, there are plenty of other types of beliefs that are being disenfranchised by the use of the word "God."

If you are wondering, I believe in a supreme power, and I usually call it "God" for convenience sake, but my beliefs are more of a combination of Buddhist philosophy and new age beliefs.

Why is it, that this guy is getting all this attention? Thats the only reason that he is doing for. For the fact is, however old he is he has never said anything before but now. As for what he said that "In God We Trust" should be removed, why is that when as they say our fore fathers were cathlic. Considering the country they came from that is the major religion there. Now as he said that when the money comes through his hand that has that on it would be fixed accordinly, how is that? Is he getting a marker and writeing over it, is he cutting that piece out, how is he fixing it? Besides that he is defaceing the money and the beliefs that this country has been built upon. Just cause one guys says lets do this, everybody else has to follow, well I guess if this guy jumps off a bridge then all those that agree with him should follow cause they have no mind for them selves. But back to the money part, if he is doing that then hi is commiting a fedral crime and taken care of accordinly, cause all money is government property, and it is a crime to do that. Has anybody thought of that probaly not. It would be just the same if somebody went and wrote or painted the white house, it is a crime and he should be punished!

gbartthenerd- not really sure why you've decided to vest so much time into something like this. Why are you so threatened? What are you afraid of? If Atheists believe God does not exist then why do you care?

The constitution states Congress(not states, or cities or counties) shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. putt "In God We Trust" on any coin or paper money in NO WAY establishes ANY kind of LAW. Neith does posting the ten commandments or putting up a nativity scene. Get over it.

We have soldiers dying overseas to protect this country, people starving here and all over the globe, people dying from disease! I'm sure all of it is because of the phrase on the currency! I'm sure it killing people out there! What? No? I'm proud of this country and I look for that phrase on the new coins and all! I believe in God, if you don't that's your own choice for in America you can make your own choice. But we don't force our beliefs on others and so that means YOU don't force yours on us! Spend your time better and find a cure for cancer or diabetes. Sweating the small things like this when there are so much bigger things in the world going on! Sad sad

I guess you must be broke all the time, because I have found many modifications of currency, some many times over, but I have never seen one with "In God We Trust" removed.

Gbart...

You need to reread the article. A reference to God was minted on a 2 cent coin in 1864. Our Declaration of Independence has our "inalienable rights endowed by our Creator". Who were our founding fathers talking about? You stated that most of our founding fathers were atheists and diests? That sir, is a bold faced lie and a rewriting of our founding father's faith. All signers of the Declaration of Independence graduated from and held degrees in religious studies. Speeches from Presidents on down to Congressmen are filled with references to God and Country. Go to the Library of Congress and read for yourself. I can back up my assertions with fact. Read David Barton's books. He clearly gives documentation to back up the faith of our Founding Fathers. It wasn't until the 1960's that faith came under fire in the courts.
To address the Treaty of Tripoli stating America is not a Christian Nation; We were under attack by Muslim pirates. Muslims, who were attacking us at a time when we were just recovering and building our nation. Thomas Jefferson was doing two things; assuring the pirates that we were a country that anyone could reside without religious persecution and getting a dangerous adversary off our backs until we could be stronger.
Until the 1960's Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptist was an assurance that Connecticut would be able to be a state of a religion of their own choosing and not fall under a national religion. But when prayer in schools went to court, a twisting of T.J.'s words were done and revisionist history began spawning out to try to get rid of Judeo-Christian influence.
America is unique in all the world. No country has begun the way we have. Rome was close, but it still had a corrupt senate that was not for the people, by the people and of the people. You were not voted into the senate. People of all walks of life can vote, or run for office.
The only thing holding a person back in this country is his/her own lack of hard work and desire to succeed. Stories abound of people coming to this country working hard and making a comfortable living. And yes, religion does factor into a person's worldview. What they do in this life, how they do it, why they do it.
If a person chooses not to believe in a Creator, fine. Most people in this country do. Our government is not putting forth any religious tests for office, although they did. Read the original state constitutions of the 13 states. No one is forcing people to pray. Our currency has a motto, it may not have been on the 1st coin, but it was on our founding father's hearts. To deny this is at best historically inaccurate, and at worst, a lie by those who wish to destroy America.

This country is all about freedom of choices. If you don't like something that is your choice but don't tread on my freedom. I as a Christian respect your freedom now you need to do the same and respect my freedome of choice. This country was founded on Christian ideals which lead them to the ideology we enjoy today. If you don't like it don't use it. But don't waste the courts time on this when there are murders and gang bangers out there that need to be punished.

I would like to know where this guy comes from. if he does not want God in the Pledge of allegiance then don't say it. if he does not want in God we trust on the dollar bills don't spend it. God made everything in the world especially you. God loves you no matter what.

which in and of its self is a federal crime, so therefore you are neither a God fearing christain or law abiding US citizen.

America is supposed to be a Democratic Government...

Over 2/3 of Americans believe in God (Christian God I might add.)

How is a minority of less than one percent going to dictate policy that violates the overhaul majority in America?

Why should Americans allow minority rule?

Speak English, Pledge Allegiance to the Flag, Pray wherever you want! (Majority rule.)

If you don't believe this country was based on a belief in God by God-fearing people, then you never read the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, knew Abraham Lincoln... etc.

, the Constitution does not say anything about Freedom from Religion.

Flag says: Please explain how you can have freedom of religion without freedom from religion. A religion that is worth anything should not need the government to promote it.
Believe in your fairy tales all you want, but don't expect others to buy into such nonsense.

I agree with JB, the first person to comment.. If you are truelly atheist, why do you care what we think and believe? If we believe in God, who are you to say we are wrong? If you dont believe we are correct, what is the point in fighting us about it? If you truelly dont like it and it bothers you that much, leave.

The US was founded on having a God. And that doesn't specify which one so that is to all. Since you have no god why do you care? Religion has been around since the dawn of civilized man. Just because you choose to not have faith in a higher power doesn't give you the right to keep those of us who do from our time honored traditions.
Let me guess you're probably a Democrat or a liberal? I'd bet your not a happy person either.
You know best so you're going to decide what's best for us all. Ummm one thing, if you're defacing the US currency isn't that against the law? There you go again, see you know better then anyone. What gives you the right to change our traditions? If you don't like America the way it is you can always leave. I'm sure Russia is looking for sole less people with no conscious.

And the pledge of allegiance, I'm mean come on. Do you just hate our country or what? If you can't pledge yourself to our country and our flag then you need to get the Hell out. Oh wait, you like the freedom you have here that you don't have anywhere else in the world. Which the flag stands for, which represents America and the way it is.

If you need something to work on try working on yourself and your ideals and stop trying to take away the one thing that most Americans use as there moral compass to help us be civil and just. But I doubt you are able to look at yourself objectively.
The last 4 of your user name is nerd you should change it to Nazi!

Ok, so people have their views; and to each his own. No one can force anything on anyone. It's all a matter of volition. If someone decides to do something they will, if they decide not to they won't.
Now I'm a Christian and I believe that HECK YES THERE'S A GOD!
In my opinion, even if people don't believe the Christian views, I don't understand how they can think that there isn't some kind of God out there! I mean, how can you explain the fact that no matter how many times scientist split an atom, it can always be split in half again?! Do you think that just happened by accident?? There was just a Big Bang and it accidentally made something like that? I sure hope the people of America are smarter than that!
If you want to believe something titled the BIG BANG THEORY, try this: God said it, and BANG! it happened!
Now, some people say that there can't be a God, because how could a God send someone to Hell. The answer is simple. He doesn't send us there, we send ourselves there. By sinning, by CHOSING of our own volition to do what is wrong instead of right. God gave us FREE CHOICE. If we chose wrongly, that's not his fault it's ours. We have the option of repentance, and being saved, but we have to go to God/Jesus and as for forgiveness. For it is written: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father EXCEPT through ME."
If we don't take God up on his offer, it's like refusing a cupcake (only life's better than that) and then complaining that we didn't get one later.
It's like the 'joke' where a man is lost at sea, and he prays to God to save him, and he believes he will be saved. When a boat comes along, and tries to help him, he says "no God will save me." He does that with all the other boats that try to help him, and eventually drowns. He gets to Heaven and asks God. "Why didn't you save me?!" and God simply replies. "I sent you three boats, what more could you ask for?"
Just because we don't always see God's work, doesn't mean he isn't working. And just because we pray doesn't mean he'll reply right away, or in the way we want. Sometimes, he says "Wait. Now isn't the right time." We just have to be listening.
In God We Trust should be left on our currency, and anyone who says otherwise, in my opinion is wrong.

My first thought in all of this is, "How could anyone not believe in God and His omnipotence?" Romans 1:20 reads, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." An atheist, a religion in itself by the way, certainly does not hold the same opinions and values as the majority of America, which was founded on Christian principles. Religious freedom was not meant to remove God from our country; it was meant to allow us the freedom to worship as we each saw fit. Finally, if there is no God, then what's the big deal about his name being displayed? There is nothing "bad" about what his name stands for or promotes. The ten commandments, love, helping one another, etc. How does any of that hurt us or our country? If there is a God, however, may he continue to bless our country and may he forgive Mr. Newdow.

First of all "gbert", you are a nerd; unfortunately, though, not in the way you would wish the term were construed. First of all, you are way too confident in your assertions - which makes me wonder whether to lend any credence at all to what you say - such as your stating that "most of them [our founders] were either atheists or deists, a barely articulable distinction, as is evident in personal letters and other writings." Well, it is obviously not so evident, as we are all witness. Furthermore, and on a higher level than perhaps you are used to thinking, just as us readers are having difficulty in attempting to distinguish just exactly what it is that you mean with every single word that you use, which they, in turn, form phrases such as, "Even if you don't include the lack of religion as protected by the First Amendment, polytheism, too, is neglected" (who can tell me what in the heck that so evidently means?) do you not then think it possible that, perhaps, even scholars who have spent their entire lives studying said "personal letters and other writings" are not absolutely, positively sure as to what exactly our founders were intending in regard to anything they may have written? Much less, a "nerd" such as yourself, explicitly claiming to understand those men's thoughts (more than 2 and a quarter centuries later, moreover) in terms of their "personal letters" (oh yeah, and "other writings" as well). These letters surely never articulate any contradictions either. For these were men of such inarticulable distinction that they needn't even articulate; their truest and most genuine thoughts simply sprung straight from their deist - i mean atheist brains - into their respective texts, clear to all for PERFECT interpretation. Now, what exactly have I just exemplified? It's evident enough to me...

One more thing for the "nerd" to chew up and then spit out, because I'm certain he can't swallow half of it. He stated, "The term God is religious by definition and should have no place on any government property or currency." Whether this thought (at least, as I understand it) is right or wrong is irrelevant because it is just as irrational as the majority of his thoughts us readers are ATTEMPTING to analyze. Unless, of course, he either proposes to cut away the first two sentences of the Declaration of Independence, or simply to disregard it as government property, for in these two sentences, Jefferson states:
"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Now Bert, have you ever heard an atheist explain how "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" have entitled him to do anything? Ever? Other than defacing government property, of course... and before using it, OF COURSE. Please, Bert, spare us all and correct yourself, because I could go on alll dayyy. But, this was a fun half hour, anyways. I think I'll return to what I was doing now. Thanks for the break, Bert.

Our founding fathers fought for religious freedom in this country yet we continue to stand by and let atheists take away our religious freedoms to honor God. Taking God off our currency would have a devastating impact upon the moral fiber of this country. Michael Newdow is once again trying to force his agenda. If Michael does not like our currency then he could (1) move to another country that honors a king/queen or he has the right to use other currency alternatives like a credit/debit card. As a doctor and lawyer, Michael Newdow's "intelligent logic" fails to recognize that he who he is today because of the blessings of living in a free land where he could pursue happiness through a good education. Our founding fathers through the help of God created a constitution and bill of rights that is beholden to God. He also fails to recognize gratitude to God for the many men and women that have fought to protect our rights. Many people in other countries would love to live in a free land. I am sure that many of them would trade places with Michael Newdow,. Michael has the freedom to leave anytime!

So, you're defacing government property.

If the words "In GOD We Trust" offends you, convert it over to another currency and spend away, OR just use your debit and credit cards and money will never have to pass through your hands. That way you won't have to set your sorry eyes upon the words.

The one thing everyone seems to forget is that "Separation of Church and State" has nothing to do with taking religion out of the government. It was put in place because in England, the King would determine the nation's religion. Our founding fathers believed that the leader of the new country should not dictate religion or how and who the nation's citizens should worship. Separation of Church and State was stated to ensure that the President of the US could not either create a national church or dictate which god or religion we will worship as.

Unfortunately, uneducated people have twisted this intention to make it say what they want it to say. Whether our founding fathers were Christians or not, they were certainly deists and believed in US citizens freedom to pursue their preferred form of worship.

Also, the word "God" goes back via Germanic to Indo-European, in which a corresponding ancestor form meant "invoked one." God which simply refers to deity, not necessarily the God of Abraham. God is a vague definition. To be insulted by the phrase means that one does not truly understand the history of the word.

Yes, God exists! Check out the Dead Sea Scrolls and do the math! Read the Christian Bible and you will feel how God's words speak out directly towards YOU! Go to any Calvary Chapel Church and listen. Get back to me once you have experienced the Love of our Lord.
Praise God for people like you. You only make my faith and relationship with GOD ever more stronger!
I pray for a Godly nation...In Jesus' name,
Amen!

Your comment is a perfect example of the stupidity that is filling our Nation today. For one, our Country was completely founded on Christianity, and two, there is and always will be only One GOD. That is unless you are an Obama supporter because clearly he believes he is the new Messiah. Every time I read another one of these articles it just makes me sick. More than anything I feel sorry for the people who are so naive to think this is correct. If we continue to worry about what is on currency and what is taught in school we are doomed as a nation. We have enough problems as a nation already, we do not need to be up in arms over this. What this great Nation needs more than ever right now is for someone to end this whole "Global Warming" myth. Al Gore has got all the celebs and Liberals thinking we are doomed if we dont fix Global Warming. I have news for you, the Earth is in a cooling period right now and global warming is the biggest Political Farce in years. The problem is even Presidential Candidates are buying into it. I could go on for hours about what needs to change for us to prosper as a Nation, the biggest change we need is to have less government, and more rule by the people as it was meant to be originally. Sorry if I am rambling, but once I start thinking about where we are headed, it just makes me sick. Hopefully some good changes will come soon.

You obviously aren't a historian, because if you were, you'd know that many of the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, were indeed CHRISTIANS!

I find it amazing that atheists, who are clearly the minority of the people of the US can cause such debates and challenge the very principals that our nation was founded on.

I say lets put all these "challenges" you bring over the year on a ballot as we vote for our president, and let the MAJORITY of the people speak to it. You'll find that a "once and for always" vote to either let GOD be where HE needs to be, or let's do without HIM forever, will massivly defeat the athiest populus. Then, we could put GOD back where HE belongs! In the classrooms!

You believe what you do; that you better live it up here, and I'll believe the truth; that GOD IS, and ALWAYS WILL, and I'm going to heaven when I die, and you'll go in a pine box, because that's what you believe. I have NO PROBLEM allowing YOU to think as you do! By the way, there are many other countries that you can live in. Why don't you find one and move there, and YOU can enjoy your time on earth without being "bothered" by the truth, and live your simplistic life and die in peace, and let the majority of us live in a country that believes that GOD IS, and that this earth is just a stepping stone to our eternity with our GOD!

I hate Broccoli and Spinach! Guess what? I don't want to force grocery stores to stop carrying them because I don't like them! You aren't forced to buy them just like religon. You can go into the Grocery store (ie United States) and get what you need without having to buy broccoli and spinach. They may be "in the ad" and even though you don't like that, you still use the "ad" to get the specials that you like.

Even though you'll hate me for this, I will be praying to my GOD about you, and you can't stop ME! Maybe someday, you'll be enlightened like Madelan Murray O'Hare's kids! They found christianity after she dissappeared.

Trust in God! The majority does! And by the way, feel free to work every religious holiday, because you should! May my GOD bless you!

bartthenerd, you must be one of the very few (if any at all) that has posession of personal letters, or any other writings from 200 years ago. I'm sure we would all love to see those pieces of paper proving that our founding Fathers were athiests.

It is sad that you think it should be against the law to post "in God we trust" on our currency, when you are saying that you break the law by vandolizing our currency when you are "correcting" it. The United States was NOT founded by people with your foundations.

Your wrong about the Founding Fathers not believeing in God - the very definition of Deism is that it is "a reason-based faith that postulates a belief in God through a foundation of Reason, Personal Experience and Nature (nature of the universe) with emphasis on freethought rather than a foundation of Divine revelation(s) and Holy texts. Essentially, through the use of Reason, God's existence is revealed by the observation of nature and our own personal experiences. For the Deist, the order and complexity found in nature coupled with our rational experiences of nature leads to a belief in God"

"In God We Trust" does not imply the "Christian God" - doesn't imply any religion's God - there are more important causes to fight for - and by the way it is illegal to deface currency no matter what your beliefs - don't get caught with pen in hand!

I'm not sure I see the big deal ... everyone believes in "a God." Atheists are their own God, aren't they? After all, aren't they simply saying they "trust in themselves" instead of a creative power?

Alright fellow humans especially blue collar guy-422945 its not a lie...I didnt read all of your comment but the first paragraph and please everyone do some research before posting. For those who believe the founding fathers were religious etc etc yes most may have been Christians but the ones all of us know and study about are not this is an example there are more: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams were all Freethinkers (look it up) (quotes below) others including Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Madison were too...Thomas Edison inventor of numerous patents though not a founding father he set in motion the biggest change in human history...power generation, the light bulb etc. But the misconception that they were religious is quite comical. Your probably wondering why there are only three of them posted here well there is more but but I decided to focus on the three we know most about.

Benjamin Franklin came up with the maxim "If people are this wicked with religion, what would they be like without it?" Think about!!! Most people are so close minded now a days I'm surprised if the words "I love you" even make it through.

The thought that you live and die and nothing happens is what basically formed religion or Animism oldest know religion in human history in the first place...for fear of death and there being nothing afterward but spirits etc etc thats all religion is I used to be religious attended church, pray bla bla bla but I thought!!! I thought I used logic that no lovin caring diety who had the power to supposedly to "create" the universe and bla bla bla but would allow a child to die whether by another human, accident, etc I mean if this was all part of his plan then I guess he doesnt really care about the families..but that is baloney.

And why is it all the most important and intelligent people in the world past and present Albert Einstein, Michio Kaku, Mark Twain all have the common sense and logic to believe in the physical and not the mythical? I mean if God is so wonderful and great why are there hospitals? Why is there funding toward cancer research doesnt praying help?

Another scary thing is, is how all the believers tell the non believers believe in it or God will make you pay...seriously? Believe in what I say or else...wow...

Well love you all have a wonderful evening

David

Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father, author, and inventor

"I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies."

"Lighthouses are more helpful then churches."

-John Adams, U.S. President, Founding Father of the United States

"The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity."

"This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it."

- Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President, author, scientist, architect, educator, and diplomat (Deist)

"History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose. " – Thomas Jefferson to Baron von Humboldt, 1813

"The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites."

"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity." –Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782.

"And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerve in the brain of Jupiter. But may we hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with this artificial scaffolding, and restore to us the primitive and genuine doctrines of this most venerated reformer of human errors." –Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823

"Religions are all alike – founded upon fables and mythologies."

"Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man."

"It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are 20 gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Some interesting reads:

Most of the above quotes come from websites all over, the books below, etc its out there just google Freethinker qoutes for example.

"Freedom: Quotes and Passages from the World's Greatest Freethinkers"

"Great Freethinkers: Selected Quotations by Famous Skeptics and Nonconformists"

WELL THIS IS HOW I FEEL PEOPLE CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT BUT MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY WHICH IS GOVERNMENT WHICH BELIEVES IN GOD . WE PROTECT ALL OF YOU SO THAT YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT AND HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO SO. SO YES IT NEEDS TO STAY THE WAY IT IS.YOUR BELIEFS ARE ALLOWED BECAUSE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROTECT YOU.AND ALLOW THESE STUPID OPINIONS TO BE HEARD.AND THEY ALL BELIEVE IN GOD .BY THE WAY WITHOUT US YOU COULD BE ANOTHER 911 VICTIM .SO REMEMBER THAT.IF YOU THINK IT IS SO EASY LET ME SEE YOU PROTECT US ON THE FRONT LINES.DID NOT THINK SO

Some of these ignorant comments truly justifies why I teach American History and government classes to high school students.  If you honestly think that the American Republic was not founded upon Christian values and morales, then you need to go back to school.  Simply look at George Mason's, "Virgina Declaration of Right" #15, or ANY of the early Revolutionary War era state constitutions.  Every one of them makes a clear reference to Christianity, as does the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.  Oh, and by the way, it was His Excellency, George Washington, that ADDED (on his own) the phrase "...so help me God." to the end of the Presidential oath of office.  It will be interesting to see if the ultra liberal president elect will continue this unbroken tradition.

What amazes me the most is how liberals want to keep America totally ignorant as to their rich past.  Let's see...if no one knows the truth, oh my how easy it is to simply "tell them everything they need to know"- which of course if the ultra liberal agenda and the horrendous continuation of attempting to eliminate Christianity from every aspect of life.  Let me ask this of all of the liberals out there, is it ok with you to have religion in churches?  Just checking.

STUDY YOUR HISTORY, THE RICH HISTORY OF OUR NATION - AMERICA!  The founding fathers did not want an ESTABLISHED RELIGION as they had had in Europe, one that the government sets up and dictates.  Instead they created the "establishment clause" of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.  Right now the only governmentally dictated religion is the abhorrence of atheism!  How's that for the 1st amendment? 

Read the Constitution, you know, the glorious document that is the LAW OF THE LAND, not some ultra liberal agenda.  The US Constitution goes far above any party ideology!

The founding fathers indeed founded this country on the "Freedom" of religion and our right to choice.  We enjoy our Freedoms due to the service of many courageous young men and women with the intestinal fortitude to fight for what they believe.  Your right not to believe in anything does not give you the right to try to dictate to the rest of the country.  This country has a very long history of trusting in God and our removal of faith from schools and family life has lead to a serious breakdown in the family and in moral values.  "IN GOD WE TRUST" should be bannered throughout our country.  Prayers in schools and anywhere else the faithful want to pray should be unquestioned as a "Freedom of speech".  Those who do not believe do not have to listen.  We should not be forced to pray or forced not to pray, remember the word "freedom".  We should be free to choose to participate or respectfully allow others to.  If common courtesies, general decent behavior, and respect for yourself and others was taught and practiced we could all live in peace.

By the way...are you publicly confessing breaking the law by the defacing of money? I believe this is a federal offense.

Amazing in this day and age someone could be so focused on minutia to remove God in anything and everything, from schools and buildings to courts, and now to dollar bills. When the world's economies are hurting, wars are raging, children are starving in many 3rd workd countries, you and all your other non-believers waste valuable time, tax dollars and court time fighting to remove in "God we trust"?

Wow, what lunacy our world has come to see. Even if you are a non-believer the cost, waste and expense of such an undertaking, let alone common sense of removing it from our currency is just crazy but that is what you are all about, winning your way and having it forced on everyone else. Revelation is soon here and then maybe you will wake up and see what the God of this universe has in store for us.

Rather than bash you, I pray for God's mercy on you. As a wise man says, "you cannot take the foolishness out of a fool, but can only suggest words of wisdom to them. For the foolish man builds his house on sand, but the prudent man builds his on rock, that shall not fall from the elements."

God is our rock, and take him out of all earthly things, and he still is God and still in control. 

I'd suggest that if this is so important to you and others, you set up your own currency, move to another planet or better still pray to your "own" god, that he remove you from the most free country in the world, that way you will be pursecuted for all your other evils in the non-free countries of the world.

I know folks like you make me believe even more in God and that someday people like you will have real and "eternal regrets" for your life long pursuit against God. May your rest in your convictions in eternity.

You wrong regarding most of the founding fathers being Atheists.  Most of the founding fathers were spiritual people. A great deal were Masons of later became Masons who have to have a belief in and maintain a belief in one supreme being, a Deity,one creator before they join. The symbolism of religion in general has no bearing on how our government is run, votes taken in the legislature, committee proceedings ect. Non-believers are not forced to read the materials, they are not forced to attend a church and are not discriminated against for not believing.  We should have state by state referendums regarding these kind of issues and not put them in the hands of a court who illegally legislates from the bench, creating new laws in their court room. Let the majority of the God loving population have their voices heard from the ballot box and decide what we want rather than the loud squeaky wheel ultra-liberal FREAKS who represent a very small minority opinion and usually get heard because of their extreme narcissistic personalities.

I really dont think any of these comments are going to matter much come Jan 20, 2008.

There is big change coming to this country and world.  And anyone that doesn't believe in God (The One and Only) will soon see and experience what he has written about. Double Judgement is coming and money may not even matter anymore.  Only survival for your mind, body, spirit and soul will be the issue.  So wake up.

Dear Mr. Atheist,

When I was 13 my mother, being a very wise women  posted a note she cut   out of the READERS DIGEST. Simple to the point and helped me walk past the notion of no God. It said I would rather live believing there is a god and upon dying finding there is no God .Than to live believing there is no God and upon dying finding there is. worked for me. But I think you just do not what to be held responsible for your actions, if so just say so and drop wasting all your'' words", we only get so many then they are gone and also you will be more alone than you are now, with out a souls eyes to try to read your lips......

It amuses me that the minority complains that they have no input and are being forced to accept what the majority wants and then, when they utilize their right to have input, they immediately want to force those who believe different to accept their viewpoint and utilize the lawsuit to attempt to make a change that all must accept. If I accept your right to believe different than I do why must I be denied the same right of expression of what I believe? Reminds me of the petulant child!

Atheists need to get there facts straight before trying to complain to the justice system about stuff like this. The separation of Church and State was never intended to protect the state from the churches, but the exact opposite.  It's purpose was to protect the church from the state. So next time read up on your history a little bit before making a stupid complaint like this.  And the separation between Church and State I'm pretty sure was never actually originally included in the Constitution, but it was mentioned by Thomas Jefferson I believe as an idea in some letters.

John #1.74 and Stevie     Great remarks!  So, so true! Only it doesn't amuse me much--makes me downright ticked off!

And don't get me started on "Separation of church and state. Not in the Constitution, except as a warning to gov't to keep their hands off the Church! But do you know what IS in the Constitution a bunch of times?  The word GOD. Really! Check it out. It's a wonder some 4th grader hasn't found this out and gone before Congress to tell them to cut the bull--that's bull as in bull--oney! OK?

With all due respect,

I refer you the the Lincoln Memorial, (United States Government Property).  On the inside wall is inscribed Lincoln 2nd Inaugural Address.  I provide you these passages. 

" If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Shall we also chisel these works off the wall and leave blank those spaces?

Regards,

GregFranceschini

all the atheists can go straight to hell.  that's where they will end up anyway.

Personally I find this all disgusting, petty, and ridiculous. Atheism IS a form of religion, just as Christianity is. This country, and others, have become so caught up in this wave of "political correctness" it is deteriorating the social economics of our country. Maybe we should be spending our time and energy on rebuilding our social values, our family values and our neighborly values!! But, of course these aren't important issues. It is up to the education system to raise our kids, isn't it? I am fed up with one person having an issue and governments saying ok. In my town, only white lights can be hung on property, because a Jewish individual found it offensive! What ever happened to being an American first, being patriotic and neighborly. All you fools hide behind laws and associations and no nothing about your neighbor, unless they hang an American flag and you find it offensive!!! Just for the record, I'm Agnostic, neither here nor there. Grow up! 

I believe this person needs to go back and take a closer look at history and not blindly follow whatever he was taught.  This nation was founded on Christian principles.  Every document or charter involved the Almighty in its writings.  Even the Constitution evokes the God given rights of man.  How can an intelligent person then deny that God was not part of the foundation of this nation?  The separation of church and state was not part of the BOR or Constitution.  It was stated in a letter from Jefferson to Adams.  Separation of church and state does not mean that the government has to avoid all mention of God or the Christian morals that it establishes.  Without the Christian foundation established by our forefathers, many of the morals and laws we have today would not be in affect.  Today,  people will compromise character and morals for any financial gain no matter how small and will rewrite history to accommodate their twisted desires to promote their own selfish agenda.  Removing God from all forms of public forum will only accelerate the decline of society.  Rome rotted from within and then fell to outside pressures.  America is on the same road to destruction.  God help us!

A very reasonable looking response. Unfortunately lacking in accuracy regarding intent especially given our history.

Why do people spend so much time being angry in this world and trying to change traditions that worked for thousands of years.  If people haven't noticed... the less we refer to God and the less we care about family and the more we spend our selfish lives working against God.... the more we are falling apart.  Why not look at God as the glue that has held families and people together for so many years.  If people have nothing better to believe, then they lose their souls.  Just leave things alone and stop being so pathetic you stupid Atheist!

Yeah right!  I bet these Atheists "FLINCH" everytime they CASH their paychecks.

The separation of church and State represents the non-separation that Brittain had with The Church of England.  They were combined and the Church controlled the State.  The early US colonies, they wanted none of the same in which they left, so that is what is meant by separation of church and state.  No control between the church (official or unofficial) and the government or vice versa.  It doesn't mean that there will be no cross reference between the churches and the government or intermingling between the two. 

your wrong the founding fathers was indeed mostly all very active in thier church!

What a waste. All I want is for the dollar to be worth a dollar in the world market. I suggest you stop reading the money and spend it to boost the economy.

You're right.

Ok.... So let's say that you are right... That there couldn't be a superior being that created everything... Let's say that it's all make believe... The universe is an ever expanding bliss of hopelessness. We live, we die, the end. All that makes sense would be that humans would still be evolving, we would see monkeys walking and talking, our solar system itself would be expanding, stars in distant galaxies would be sprouting up, and the universe as a whole would be expanding... The only problem with this hypothesis is that none of this is happening. In fact, the exact opposite is happening. Humans have not changed their physical characteristics in the form of evolution, animals are still animals, our solar system is still going on in the same way that it has since the Incas and the Mayans made their astrological charts. There are less stars now that there were even a thousand years ago.

To top it all off, the universe is actually not moving at all. Newton's 3rd law of motion states that "An object in motion will remain in motion unless acted on by an outside force". According to the Big Bang theory, that most anti-creationists hold as being the beginning of the universe, there is nothing keeping us from expanding into eternity. UNLESS that theory is false, which means that the only way that something could be in constant motion and yet staying on a noninvasive course through the universe is that it had to be placed there. I highly doubt that the world is on the back of elephants, but any other religion's view of the beginning of the universe points back to the obvious, a tenth dimensional being who in His, or Her infinite wisdom was able to create the universe.

Go ahead, live in disbelief, just know that all the evidence is supporting the believers.

Oh yeah, and if you don't know about dimensions, watch this video, it makes it fairly easy to understand.

Do you even comprehend the concept of billions w/a B, or millions w/a M years. That the evolution of man in relation to the age of the earth is about a half a minute. That would mean the time between now and the Mayans would be what, a micro second. Face it, your time here is less than a blink, and as far as I'm concerned you, or anyone else can believe in what erver you want to get get you through that blink, Just don't tell me my options are god or ever expanding bliss of hopelessness.

That's just a bunch of BS.....

If one doesn't believe in the existance of God, why do they make such a huge deal of it. One may not care much about past presidents, but don't mind their pic being on the currency. It still buys what we need and want. Therefore serving a simple purpose.
And if you don't like the phrase of "In God We Trust".....simple solutions: checks, debit cards..use them instead.
We could all save ourselves a lot of aggravation if we would just let people be who they want to be.

It is quite obvious that you really don't have a clue what God is. For sure, he isn't some old man flying around above the clouds. If you would really get into a study and let your mind understand beyond the symbols, culture and ceremony, into the real behavior altering truths that are formed as one advances in learning toward the civil society that is planned, you might start to get it. They say, "seek and you will find". I feel sorry for you, a very lost "sheep".

Your SO right! We all evolved from single cell organisms! I guess you are one smart monkey!

The funny thing is the people that care most for you in this nation are the ones you are bashing right now. People wonder why the news is filled with murders, rapes, and hate crimes. Dont you think a theory that spreads love would make this a better nation than one that spreads NOTHING? Even if you cannot ever become a believer can you not see that people of faith are in general people of peace? If in the end it causes you such great torment to see three letters on our currency please move somewhere that doesnt have it printed on it.

I agree with Jerralynn. If you don't like seeing "In God we trust" on there then don't use the money. Use credit cards, debit cards or checks. I've never understood why someone that doesn't believe in God fights so hard against those of us that do. No one is forcing you to believe in Him. As for me, I choose to believe. I don't hate anyone for not believing. That's their God given right. I just pray that they will choose to hear the truth before it's too late. What is it about the Bible and God that frightens them? I agree that you have to believe it on faith, but that's just about everything on earth. What makes believing that Jesus died for my sins any different than George Washington was our first president, that Abe Lincoln freed the slaves, or that Christopher Columbus discovered America. My point is, is that none of us on this discussion board were alive then. We read it in history books and was taught it in school and we chose to believe it or not. You had to have faith. I look at this way. I would rather believe in God and Jesus Christ and be wrong about it than not believe in them and die without them and end up in the pits of hell. If I'm wrong about them, then what's the worst that's going to happen to me? I will just lie in the ground and my body will rot away. But, if I'm right about them, then I know I am going to be in heaven and celebrating with Jesus and the unbelievers will be in the pits of hell. I choose to believe. If I'm wrong, oh well. Are you willing to die for your atheistic beliefs? I'm willing to die for my belief in Jesus Christ. He died for me and while I am on this earth I choose to live for Him. I'm in no way perfect. I'm just forgiven. If the day ever comes that I have to choose between life by denouncing my relationship with Jesus or die, it's my prayer that I would choose to die. None of us know how we would react until we are in that situation. It's my prayer that all that read this that are not believers that you would come to know the Lord in a very personal way. He will change your life. You can't go wrong with Jesus on your side.

If God does not exsist, would you please share your view on where everything came from??? If you'll share your views I will try and understand where you are coming from. If you don't believe in a first cause where did the universe come from?

and you know this for a fact? Why does the mear mention of God scare so many people? Athiest seem to forget that while the Bill of Rights does say "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," it also says, "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

it's a shame when the few try to control the many,put it up for an American vote and see what happens? and if your so hung up on the currency you should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for defeasing currency and if you don't like our great nation you have the option to leave it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do not believe in God, why do you capitalize his name?

I find it sad to believe that there truly are people who are all alone in this world. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs. You believe there is no God....Well, I believe there is a God. I used to be lost like a lot of you so called athiest. But I found my way, with help from God. I could not stand being lost anymore. Why do you criticize the way a Christian believes. I am not criticizing the way you believe. I am sorry for your loss and if anyone has caused you harm...So please do not criticize the way we believe. This world is a sad, scary place...I am glad to know there is some other place besides here, where there is no pain, only peace...I am a normal person like all of you, only I believe in something you don't , HOPE! It is actually going against everyones rights when someone takes away the pledge of allegience or "In God We Trust". The ones claiming discrimination, are actually discriminating themselves!

So what is your big deal if he doesn't exist why bother with taking it off the money . Leave it alone already. Get a real hobby this guy has nothing better to do than come up with these crazy ideas . He is pitiful. And you say that using god is just religion thats not true either. I couldn't say how many times I here God used differently than religion !!!!!!!!!! People who use it along with a curse word is that religous ??? HUMMM . If you don't like it on your money don't use , there are other ways to buy stuff such as a card or check ...... give it a rest already.
Oh by the way may god Bless you and yours !!!!!!!!!!!!

This is for all of the people out there who don't seem to know that we are fighting for our very existence in this "crazy world" against a group of people who believe "VERY MUCH" in a one all-powerful being that they refer to as "Allah"....they, I am sure welcome every person in the world who are non-believers to "spread the word", "cast doubts", and cause chaos in a country that was founded on "Christian or Christ-like Principles"....how very ironic that this discussion is going on now, when we need our faith more than ever to defeat the people who are willing to give their lives for a "VERY STRONG FAITH"....they don't care if the entire Christian world implodes, that is a goal of theirs....What is wrong with you people? Have you lost your minds??? God does exist, and he is PISSED OFF!!!!
Who can blame him...I, for one will be counted as one of the believers....I will gladly die, if need be, for my faith, but I wouldn't take the life of someone who believes differently than I do because that is totally opposite of what Jesus taught us to do....I have nothing but PITY for all of the people who don't know the God that I do, and I hope you find the path you need to follow to exist in this new world we live in now.... Oh, by the way, bartthenerd, are you aware that defacing US currency in any way is against the law of the land that allows you to speak about anything you want to???

McLoy says that "Humans have not changed their physical characteristics in the form of evolution" but they have!

Have you ever seen what Neanderthal man looks like? Evolution doesn't happen overnight. Neanderthal man was thousands of years ago, and while he's recognizable as a man, he looks a lot like an ape as well. Evolution can take hundreds of thousands of years. Humans haven't even been keeping written records for that long if you look at how long humans have existed in one form or another. The oldest scriptures in the world are the Vedic (Hindu) scriptures, and even they were handed down for years through memorization by those entrusted to keep them safe before they were committed to written word.

I think anyone interested in a unique view of religion should read The Celestine Prophecy. I found it very interesting in its view of Jesus, Muhammed, and Buddha.

It's too bad you feel that way because when you die and judgement comes...and you WILL BE JUDGED by our Creator, you will want to repent and believe but it will be too late. You will join Satan and his followers to the lake of fire and brimstone. I feel sorry for you.

It's been a long time, but I seem to recall that Neanderthals were placed on a different branch of the evolutionary tree from the one that ends up with "Homo sapiens sapiens." If so, then clearly even those who believe in the Theory of Evolution do not believe that modern man evolved from Neanderthals, and it is irrelevant what they may have looked like.

If this debate centers on whether or not God exists, then let me merely add that I have never talked to anyone who has been able to offer me any conclusive evidence that He does not. The common assertion that a lack of evidence that God exists serves as evidence that He does not is completely illogical. Yet I have personal experience, aside from anything anyone has told me, that convinces me that God not only exists, but was willing to die for His children. If anyone is willing to claim that God does not exist, the burden of proof rests with him or her.

So you'd rather believe that your ancestors swung from trees as apes and crawled out of the ooze millions of years ago? Go right ahead. As for me and my family, we don't believe such nonsense...nor do we believe in any way shape or form in Evolution. Its like the bumper sticker I read once, "Darwin is Dead...and he ISN'T coming back!

Besides, who are you to say that God doesn't exist. Boy, will you find out one day. I will continue to pray for people like you.

gbart,
The truth of the matter is GOD doesn't believe in atheists. Therefore it is YOU who doesn't exist.

When people protested that some TV shows offended them because of sexual content or coarse language, they were told to switch the channel, that it was their choice to look or listen to it or not. The same argument should apply to this "In God We Trust" on the currency. I think it is disgusting that one individual can call the shots for a whole nation. This is a Christian Nation, like it or not.

Has anyone done any research on this stuff wow I mean they even have it televised on Discovery Channel...The 7 million year old Skull? Google it doesnt mean we descended from monkeys because if that was the case they wouldnt be around today!!! Just like religion you have different branches Homo Erectus, Homo sapiens (Us), and countless more...Cavemen, some people believe others dont believe in them but what animal/species now a days can paint themselves in pristine detail or even have the knowledge to make the drawing material on a daily basis? (*this elephant is different*) We are talking about an entire society of people drawing and interacting on a daily basis and the actions they did that same day or other days (drawing hunting mammoths, primitive tools) do you honestly think humans just appeared out of thin air fully formed and able to carry on speech and knowledge to make materials what is wrong with people now a days.
Why werent we created and brought to this day and age? why? because of progress, evolution of the human brain? We progressed from living in little villages made of earth (wood, mud, etc) to town bricks, to steel/iron, to aluminum. Humans discover something and apply to every day life no religion, no diety said hey make this so you can live more comfortably..
Those who still question evolution look at the molecular level every wonder why flu one year is worse or not as easily controllable as the last whoooooo hoooooo your proof for evolution in the shortest amount of time its changes different strains...ancestors to the newly created ones, same but different organism...just like ancestors of humans same but different.

*This elephant is different* http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/29/elephant-paints-an-e.html

It seems to me, Atheism is a matter of faith, too, therefore, a form of religion (religion, literally meaning "to bind people together"). To remove any reference to God might be construed as suggesting Atheism being the state religion.

*BUZZER* Sorry, wrong. Atheism is not a matter of faith. Thanks for trying though.