The motto "In God We Trust" has always been more politically motivated than anything.  The phrase first came into use during the U.S. Civil War, when a number of religious activists pressed the U.S. mint to put some reference to God on our coinage.  It so happens that Congress passed the Coinage Act in 1864, which also happened to be an election year. Even with this new Act, coins didn't permanently have the motto engraved until 1906. For example, Teddy Roosevelt believed that putting reference to God on money was sacrelige.

"In God We Trust" became the U.S. motto almost 100 years later during the McCarthey era, as a way to differentiate us from the Russians, whose communist leadership was known to be anti-religion.  Prior to that time, and not to include to Civil War coinage, every U.S. President had respected the separation of church and state.

I think if more people knew the History of the motto, they might have a different opinion of it.

You educated me. Thanks! People do get on their high horse when it comes to that motto.

I know the story and I still like the motto. Why would that change?

I like the motto, but what I don't like is when people use it to further their careers or get some extra votes.

Nope, my opinion hasn't changed either. I still think it should be on every coin and bill printed and minted. The Ten Commandments should also be in EVERY courthouse in the nation.

This country was formed on the principles of freedom, not Christianity. 

This country was formed on the principles of freedom, not Christianity. 

If they were serious about the freedom of religion stuff, the Christians wouldn't have a problem with other religion's messages posted as well.

But yet they do.

TSM - exactly.  Religion is a very personal belief, and should stay as such.

Benjamin Franklin specifically stated this country was not founded on Christian principles.

Most of the founding fathers have made similar statements.

If this Briscoe character wants to flush 500 bucks down the toilet (the Pennysaver; I mean really), who are we to stop him? Bwaaahaha. It's certainly worthy of a chuckle or two.

TSM, we should probably clarify that even though this country wasn't formed upon Christian values, most founding fathers did believe in a Supreme Being and recognized that no country could stand for very long without some sense of morality.  However, their definitions of morality and many people's current definition are far different.

I'm well aware that over 95% of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were church goers. Well aware that Franklin, Jefferson, et al were merely giving us a start. Our DOI, the Constitution are all meant to be a living thing, that it was to grow as we as a nation grew. Not foaming at the mouth here, just stating my opinion, as succinctly as possible. 

Many people (myself included) believe that the Constitution is a living document, although our buddy Antonin Scalia isn't one of them. Neither was Rehnquist.

While I also agree that the Constitution is a living document, it should also be noted that it's rare that any decision is made in this country by a true majority of the citizens.  This is unfortunate. 

 foaming at the mouth

Very nice. You were saying something about hateful speech?

that even though this country wasn't formed upon Christian values,

You went to college? This country was absolutely formed on Christian values.Not to the letter, but certainly the scaffolding.

Witbee, that scaffolding was Judeo-Christian ethics. George Washington was not a Christian, Parson Mason Weems' myths notwithstanding.

witbee - I wouldn't call "foaming at the mouth" hateful speech, I was actually using it in jest.  I do see where it is offensive though, apologize, and so I'll change it because you're right.

As it pertains to the Federal Government itself, this nation was not formed on Christian values, but instead on the principles of liberty and freedom.  There was recognition of a higher being among many of the founding fathers, but to call them all Christians would be incorrect. Some were Deists, others Unitarians, as an example.  A better assessment would be that our country was formed on basic principles of ethics and values, but these ethics and values are seen not just in Christianity, but in many religions.

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian Religion..."

From Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli 1797. Unanimously ratified by the U.S. Senate and signed by President John Adams.

"You went to college? This country was absolutely formed on Christian values.Not to the letter, but certainly the scaffolding. "

Boy, I'm glad my kids don't go to school in Delano. No wonder that school district is lagging behind.

Adams was a prime example of a founding father with a great sense of non-Christian spirituality.

"From Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli 1797. Unanimously ratified by the U.S. Senate and signed by President John Adams."

Not to mention Jefferson's "Wall of Separation" Letter.

most founding fathers did believe in a Supreme Being and recognized that no country could stand for very long without some sense of morality

They said the country was founded on enlightenment, not Christian principles.

their definitions of morality and many people's current definition are far different.

That is ever so evident just based on the church's pedophile scandal. Not to mention the number of religious conservatives who have been arrested for sex related crimes.

Unfortunately, most American's historical knowledge is comprised of many deceptions thanks to the limited knowledge, common errors and sometimes outright lies which textbook authors publish in the attempt to push a hidden political agenda.

You also have to consider that just under 25% of Kern County residents fail to graduate from high school to be a factor as well. At least locally.

In God we Trust- these kids to drop out.

75% of Kern County residents are HS grads? In Porterville, with its "church on every corner" boast, just 33% of residents are HS grads. The way they see it, if you "have Jesus," you don't need anything else. Including teeth.

Agree with Flor, History in school is only a mild form of propaganda, A complete fiasco...

It would be nice to go back to the old motto E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One). That better represented the principles behind the founding of this nation: from many states/beliefs/walks of life/countries comes one country united under concepts of liberty and freedom. It would get God out of the motto, which was created in of an atmosphere of fear and paranoia during the red scare, and remind people that this nation is a melting pot, not a Christian theocracy.