We are supposed to have a separation of Church and State, why does US currency say In God We Trust on it?

It was put there to separate us from the "godless" communists during the height of "the red scare" and McCarthyism.

I find it a bit hypocritical and anti-Christian that an object is the subject of 3 of the 7 deadly sins (greed, lust, and gluttony) should have the word God anywhere on it.

Nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution does it specifically imply a Christian God, simply Nature's God and Creator, and no mention of Jesus. Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and George Washington were Deists, not Christians.

I agree with most of what turboweegie said. The phrase "In God we Trust" is implying a national belief in and worship of God (capitals implying a proper name), which does a disservice to those who choose not to believe in an omnipotent being.

The government is not imposing a specific religion, but, instead, is promoting monotheism over atheism and polytheism, which is a violation of the 1st Amendment.

So, which Church does the saying "In God We Trust" establish? Be specific, now. Because the only thing in the Constitution & Amendments is the 1st amendment that prevents the Government from establishing a church (like the Anglican church that Henry VIII established and headed).

There was no prohibition against religious displays or even close ties between lower governments and churches, or against religious people from voting for people who would enact 'moral' laws.

My point - there is no legal restriction against this motto being on US money. And I'll have no heartburn if the government decides to remove it. But I will raise a high stink if someone tries to remove it in court!

actual separation of church and state potential that there at the instant are not any non secular components in politics, coaching, or the remainder of an earthly nature. Hate to declare it, yet realistically this might incorporate any inaugurations. i'm no longer needed one that could strongly recommend for its removal, yet I do have a concern as an atheist if i'm pressured to place my hand on a bible and swear to 3 creature i do no longer have faith in. I tremendously much experience that doing so violates my integrity. and that i agree that we'd desire to continually be greater respectful of the different. there is not any explanation why an psychological exchange of ideas can not take place with people whose evaluations selection. Such is the value of freedom.

Thomas Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Congregation mentions the wall of separation between Church and State.

And the Bill of Rights speaks to freedom of religion.

Sadly, there is nothing about freedom FROM religion, and as the United States has been a Christian republic from its inception, you will find mention of Judeo-Christian values not only on currency, but also, say, in the Senate, on national monuments, etc... Lately, the 10 commandments have been removed from courthouses, and Christmas celebrations have been toned down and made multicultural with added displays for Hannuka, Qwanza and so on....

But the truth be told, America is pretty Christian, and not all that tolerant. Quakers were forbidden entry in Massachusetts and a ship's captain who was found to have transported Quakers was given 50 lashes in public... while the "founding fathes" were talking about freedom of religion.

The Mormons were attacked by the US Third Army, and were forced into monogamy... etc..etc...

So all I can say is.... this country has not had the Church and State all that separated, and lately, less than previously.

Funding for school programs in religious schools, and federal funding for religious schools (part of the School Voucher program) is a breach of that "separation".

There is a three-part test called the "Lemon Test" as to whether State Action has a religious component or has such entanglement as to warrant its curtailment.

Lately, with the Religious Right (read: GOP support base) having friends in Washington, a lot of the separation between Church and State has been broken down. In my opinion, to society's detriment.

:)

Look at Iran.

The belief in God is (or was when the phrase was added) more widely accepted than not. The separation of church and state is actually Congress shall pass no laws establishing a state religion or interfere in the free practice of religion. Putting that phrase on money does neither of those things, so there ya go.

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. — The Declaration Of Independence also mentions God (several times) should we change it... These are the principles that this Nation was founded..Like it or not.....

The words on the great seal translate as : Providence has favored our undertakings. Some may with to say that God favors our undertakings, but that is not a correct translation.

Additionally separation of church and state was a well founded idea and although the framers of the constitution did not say it is some many words, their mean was clear, at least to them.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the following in 1801:

Gentlemen:

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which are so good to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship; that the legislative powers of the government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should `make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore man to all of his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessings of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.

Thomas Jefferson

The words "in god we trust" were approved in 1955:

On June 7, 1955, H.R. 619, "Providing for the inscription of 'In God We Trust' on all United States Currency and Coins," was introduced in the House.

This was during the height of McCarthyism and as a prior post stated used as a way to separate us from the communist.

It was during this time that the word of the pledge were also change to include god.

The framers of the constitution were very careful to leave religion out of the documents they wrote because they believed that religion would make it more difficult to have a dynamic and changeable form of government.

So, if you don't believe in anything, why do you care that the rest of us do? Does the extra ink on the money actually weigh you down or something? Do you believe our founding fathers were Agnostic Libertarian's? Please, if you don't believe in any gods, quit yelling at all of us who do believe in something...remember, the majority of this country still believes in god, and is probably the reason we are still on the map...and last time I checked..majority rules!!!

Where in the constitution is separation of church and state referenced? NOWHERE!

If you bother to delve into historical facts, you will find that the founding fathers were very much influenced by their religious beliefs; and they believed that the country they were founding was part of God's design.

They simply (and rightly) said that the government would not infringe upon the freedoms of its people to practice their religion.

I'm agnostic conservative and the expression "separation of Church and State" has always, always troubled me and perplexed me.

Why do the legislative chambers hire chaplains to lead prayer every day the legislature is officially in session? Why does the federal government hire chaplains for military bases? Why do both state and federal governments hire chaplains for prisons?

The Bible says "Thou shalt not bare false witness."

In our country we have laws against perjury, fraud, libel and slander.

Notice the similarity?

Do you think the similarity is a coincidence?