In God We Trust
In God We Trust is the official motto of the United States, the U.S. state of Florida and the Central American nation of Nicaragua.1
The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. The motto first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin, followed in 1866 by the 5 cent nickel (1866–1883), quarter dollar, half dollar, silver dollar and gold dollars. It did not become the official U.S. national motto until after the passage of an Act of Congress in 1956.23 It is codified as federal law in the United States Code at 36 U.S.C. § 302, which provides: "'In God we trust' is the national motto."
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History
The motto E Pluribus Unum (Latin for "One from many" or "One from many parts," literally, "From more than one, one," or, traditionally, "From many, one.") was approved for use on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. It still appears on coins and currency, and was widely considered the national motto de facto.4 However, by 1956 it had not been established so by legislation as the "national motto". The Congressional Record of 1956 reads: "At the present time the United States has no national motto. The committee deems it most appropriate that 'In God we trust' be so designated as U.S. national motto."3
One possible origin of In God We Trust is the final stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner. Written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key (and later adopted as the U.S. national anthem), the song contains an early reference to a variation of the phrase: "...And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust'."5
Adoption as national motto
A law was passed by the 84th United States Congress (Public Law 84-851) and approved by the President on July 30, 1956. President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved a joint resolution declaring In God We Trust the national motto of the United States.3 The same Congress had required, in the previous year, that the words appear on all currency, as a Cold War measure: "In these days when imperialistic and materialistic Communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, it is proper" to "remind all of us of this self-evident truth" that "as long as this country trusts in God, it will prevail."6
Legal status
Use of the motto on circulating coinage is required by law. A March 3, 1865 law allowed the motto to be used on coins.7 The use of the motto was permitted, but not required, by an 1873 law. While several laws come into play, the act of May 18, 1908,8 is most often cited as requiring the motto (even though the cent and nickel were excluded from that law, and the nickel did not have the motto added until 1938). Since 1938, all coins have borne the motto. On July 11, 1955 it became required on all coins and currency by Act of Congress.9 The motto was added to paper money over a period from 1957 to 1966.2
Aronow v. United States and other constitutional objections under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment have been rejected by the courts.
Controversy
The motto is opposed for a variety of reasons, but is still widely supported by a majority of Americans.10 According to a 2003 Gallup Poll, 90% of Americans approve of the inscription on U.S. coins.11 The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. Critics contend that the motto's placement on money constitutes the establishment of a religion or a church by the government. The Supreme Court has upheld the motto in dicta because it has "lost through rote repetition any significant religious content".citation needed So-called acts of "ceremonial deism" that have lost their "history, character, and context".citation needed In such related decisions as Zorach v. Clauson, the Supreme Court has also held that the nation's "institutions presuppose a Supreme Being" and that government recognition of God does not constitute the establishment of such a state church as the Constitution's authors intended to prohibit. Constitutionalists object to sworn judiciaries employing historical context in what they believe ought to be a raw textual interpretation.1213 Some activists have been known to cross out the motto on paper money as a form of protest.14 Although federal law (18 U.S.C. § 333 and 18 U.S.C. § 475) prohibits defacement of currency, it specifies either "intent to render such bank bill...unfit to be reissued" or a "notice or advertisement", and no documented cases exist of prosecution for such action. Additionally, the Federal Reserve frequently recirculates similarly altered notes.15
Outside of constitutional objections, President Theodore Roosevelt took issue with placing the motto on coinage as he considered it sacrilegious to put the name of God on money.16
See also
U.S. Court Cases
Notes, References
- ^ As shown on the Córdoba (bank notes and coins); see for example Banco Central de Nicaragua
- ^ a b History of 'In God We Trust', United States Treasury.
- ^ a b c Congressional Record, 1956, p. 13917, via NonBeliever.org
- ^ The U.S. National Mottos: Their history & constitutionality, Religioustolerance.org
- ^ 50th Anniversary of Our National Motto, "In God We Trust," 2006, Proclamation Issued by President Bush, White House.
- ^ Steven B. Epstein, "Rethinking the Constitutionality of Ceremonial Deism" Columbia Law Review, Vol. 96, No. 8. (Dec., 1996), pp. 2083-2174, quoting the peroration (abridged here) of the speech by Charles Edward Bennett, sponsor in the House, the only speech in either House of Congress on the subject. President Eisenhower and W. Randolph Burgess, Deputy to the Treasury for Monetary Affairs, had approved of the legislation. 101 Congressional Record pp. 4384 (quoted), 7796. (1955).
- ^ Sikorski, Robert (1993). Prayer in public schools and the Constitution. Courier Corporation. pp. 440–41.(13 Stat. 517,518)
- ^ Sikorski, loc.cit.(35 Stat. 164)
- ^ Sikorski, loc.cit. (69 Stat.290)
- ^ "A Half Century After It First Appeared on the Dollar Bill, “In God We Trust” Still Stirs Opposition". Pew Research Center. September 12, 2007. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=247.
- ^ "Approve or disapprove "The inscription 'In God We Trust' on U.S. coins"". Gallup Poll. September 19–21, 2003. http://www.gallup.com/poll/9391/Americans-Approve-Public-Displays-Religious-Symbols.aspx.
- ^ Atheist protests `In God We Trust' posting
- ^ Judge turns down atheist's suit challenging 'In God We Trust'
- ^ ""In God We Trust"--Stamping Out Religion On National Currency". Flashline. American Atheists. 1999-03-15. http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/igwt1.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ Lacitis, Erik (2004-10-04). "Where's George? Tracking the travels of paper currency". The Seattle Times (The Seattle Times Company). http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002053434_wheresgeorge04m.html. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
- ^ "ROOSEVELT DROPPED 'IN GOD WE TRUST'; President Says Such a Motto on Coin Is Irreverence, Close to Sacrilege. NO LAW COMMANDS ITS USE He Trusts Congress Will Not Direct Him to Replace the Exalted Phrase That Invited Constant Levity.". The New York Times. November 14, 1907. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9406E2D8103EE033A25757C1A9679D946697D6CF. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
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External links
- Final answer? Not quite as star gets second chance to play for a million - article in The Guardian about a disputed quiz question about the motto of the United States.
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