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Forbes Introduces "In God We Trust" Resolution - Right Side News
As of today, seventy-two bipartisan Members of Congress have signed on as cosponsors to the "In God We Trust" Resolution (H.Con.Res. 274) that I introduced earlier this year. If you haven't had a chance to read the resolution yet, I've copied it below. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this bill.
- Randy
111th CONGRESS
H. CON. RES. 274
Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.
Whereas 'In God We Trust' is the official motto of the United States;
Whereas the sentiment, 'In God We Trust', has been an integral part of United States society since its founding;
Whereas in times of national challenge or tragedy, the people of the United States have turned to God as their source for sustenance, protection, wisdom, strength, and direction;
Whereas the Declaration of Independence recognizes God, our Creator, as the source of our rights, '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.';
Whereas the national anthem of the United States says 'praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation . . . and this be our motto: in God is our trust.';
Whereas the words 'In God We Trust' appear over the entrance to the Senate Chamber and above the Speaker's rostrum in the House Chamber;
Whereas the oath taken by all Federal employees, except the President, states 'I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.';
Whereas John Adams said, 'Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.';
Whereas if religion and morality are taken out of the marketplace of ideas, the very freedom on which the United States was founded cannot be secured;
Whereas as President Eisenhower said and President Ford later repeated, 'Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor, an American way of life.'; and
Whereas President John F. Kennedy said, 'The guiding principle and prayer of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be 'In God We Trust.': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes that trust in God is embedded into the fabric of society and history of the United States and rejects the notion that the laws and Constitution of the United States require the exclusion of God from matters of government and public life; and
(2) reaffirms 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supports and encourages the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.
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Mr. Forbes, How do I express
Mr. Forbes,
How do I express my feelings about this bill in a single comment? Let me start by saying that I have been fighting for better enforcement of separation of church and state since I was a 7th grader. Now, as a freshman in college, I have the opportunity to fight for what I believe in. And I am going to start by fighting your efforts to "reaffirm 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States..."
The founders of our country never said that America should be a Christian country. And if they had, it doesn't mean that times don't change. Our country is founded on freedom, not Christianity. That includes freedom of religion. And as a representative of this country, I am highly concerned that you think it is right to misrepresent such a vast percentage of our population. Our people have worked so hard for equality and now you're trying to take us 10 steps backward in tolerance and acceptance. By this bill, you are openly insulting every member of this country who 1) is not Christian, and 2) believes in our Constitution. You think that E Pluribus Unum is un American? Well I say that denying religious equality is un American. You, Sir, are UN AMERICAN!
-Lauren
He is your God too. He is the
He is your God too. He is the God of ALL. The Great I Am. The Alpha. The Omega. I pray that you find your way as I know He is waiting for you. Only through Jesus will any of us see OUR Father.
He is your God too. He is the
He is your God too. He is the God of ALL. The Great I Am. The Alpha. The Omega. I pray that you find your way as I know He is waiting for you. Only through Jesus will any of us see OUR Father.
Excellent comments. There are
Excellent comments. There are more non believers in the US than jews, muslims, buddhists, and hindus combined.
Mr. Forbes, I read your
Mr. Forbes,
I read your article. It is wrong on many different levels. I would encourage you to read what our founding fathers had to say in matters of the separation of church and state. You need to do some homework. E Pluribus Unum was our motto long before the christian right expropriated in god we trust.
This is right and proper. From Many One. Plurality. Inclusivity. We The People. All of the People. Not just believers. I think these are far more profound American values than your narrow belief in your particular god.
You criticized the President for saying E Pluribus Unum is our national motto. Another item added to the list of what republicans think is un American. Inclusivity is now indicative of bad character. Wow. Serving in Vietnam, winning a Silver Star, and now saying E Pluribus Unum are now un American.
I'm curious, Mr. Forbes:
I'm curious, Mr. Forbes: just which part of "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." (1st Amendment to the Constitution) do you not understand?
Incidentally, the portion reading, "Whereas the Declaration of Independence recognizes God, our Creator, as the source of our rights..." is incorrect. The Declaration of Independence, as you properly quoted, says "creator," not "God, our Creator." It says nothing about a god, and neither does the Constitution.
Thankfully, congressional resolutions do not have the force of law. However, I find it disheartening that for some reason you seem to feel the most pressing issue facing our nation is an unenforceable, unconstitutional resolution...how about that deficit, or unemployment? Oh, sorry, too busy to work on those -- have to pass a resolution violating the constitution.
Sigh.
-concerned-
Please keep your god out of
Please keep your god out of our laws, our government, and our schools.
"I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology."
--Thomas Jefferson -3rd President
"God is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there never will be any liberal science in the world."
--John Adams -2nd President
"My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures have become clearer and stronger with advancing age and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them."
- President Abraham Lincoln
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution." - James Madison (Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments, 1785.)
"The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretence, infringed.'' - James Madison (Original wording of the First Amendment; Annals of Congress 434 (June 8, 1789).)
"It has been fifty and sixty years since I read the Apocalypse, and then I considered it merely the ravings of a maniac." - Thomas Jefferson
"Take away from Genesis the belief that Moses was the author, on which only the strange belief that it is the word of God has stood, and there remains nothing of Genesis but an anonymous book of stories, fables, and traditionary or invented absurdities, or of downright lies." - Thomas Paine
"As the Government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." - (Treaty of Tripoli, 1797 - signed by President John Adams.)
"Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers."
- Barack Obama
Um,have you even READ our
Um,have you even READ our historical documents?
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen,—and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
We aren't founded on faith, so quit rubbing your religion in my face.
Thank you for this work. You
Thank you for this work. You have my support and I am very encouraged to see this resolution being considered and hopefully affirmed.
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