"In God We Trust" Remains, For Now

A Message from the Executive Director

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Dear Friends, A few days ago, the federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York shot down another attempt to have the national motto “In God we trust” stripped from our currency and ruled unconstitutional. The Second Circuit sided with the Becket Fund, ruling that it was an important “reference to our religious heritage.” The words have been imprinted on our coins since the time of the Civil War and originate from the fourth verse of the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem. The words “In God we trust” are not a reference to a specific religion adhered to by our forefathers, and they certainly are not just random words strung together. They sum up what makes America different and what has made us one of the freest nations in human history. To put it simply, our Founders understood that our rights come from God, not the government. No government can give or take away our freedoms, but only protect those freedoms. All of us, including our government, live equally under the “Creator” of the Declaration of Independence—the power by which “all men are created equal” and who “endowed” us with certain inalienable human rights, including the right to seek after the Divine in the way we see fit.  This political philosophy sets us apart from many other countries. And, as a Cuban American, I am particularly passionate about this issue. Asserting the provenance of our rights is vital to our freedom. Our national motto is not the only thing that has been under attack. The same groups have tried to have the words “under God” struck from the Pledge of Allegiance,something the Becket Fund has stopped time and time again. Just weeks ago we put a stop to yet another attempt at the Pledge in Massachusetts, where the Supreme Judicial Court unanimously agreed with the Becket Fund that those words are constitutional. Short-sighted people, confused about the nature of our rights, have also been coming after legislative prayer, yet another way our governments, be they federal or local, affirm the notion that the government is subject to an even higher authority, as well as reminding Americans that we are one pluralistic nation under God. We have different ways of speaking to God, but we are united in believing that the government has no role in writing those prayers for us and that the government must defend our God-given rights. The attack on legislative prayer got shot down too, with an important ruling last month from the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of legislative prayer in the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway. As we get closer to our Independence Day, I will have a lot more to say about our freedom, but for now I am happy to report that our national motto remains safe and we are still able to say and read the words “under God” in America. We plan to keep it that way. Sincerely, Kristina Arriaga Executive Director How Can You Show Your Support? Donate Now!   Share on Facebook Share on Twitter   Share by Mail P.S. Our own Daniel Blomberg was on National Public Radio speaking about the history of legislative prayer. He did a fantastic job. If you have a few minutes, it is well worth it to listen to him here. My comments: Obama and his administration and the Democrats DO NOT TRUST IN GOD, as demonstrated by their Laws, policies and actions. It is some consolation to have 'In God We Trust" remain on our money but it the Nation does not IN FACT Trust in God it has no real meaning. If America continues to DEFY God, His Christ Jesus, His Word, His Covenant and His Commandments, it will be DESTROYED, regardless of what it says on it's money.