Should ‘In God We Trust’ Be Removed From Currency?

What’s the story?

• Atheist Ambassadors have launched a We The People petition to remove “In God We Trust” from all U.S. currency, stating it “violates the principle of state and church separation.”
• The move comes just over a week after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota, upheld a lower court’s ruling that found the national motto did not violate First Amendment free speech and religious rights.

What’s the petition say?

Atheist Ambassadors argue “In God We Trust” is discriminatory as:

• Not all Americans are religious.
• Not all Americans who are religious are monotheistic and believe in a God.
• Not all monotheistic Americans believe in the God implied by national motto.

“It's time for the U.S. Government to stop this shameful practice of religious propaganda and show respect to its own citizens,” they write.

What did the court case say?

• In New Doe Child # 1 v. The Congress of the United States, 27 atheist individuals or children of atheists and two atheist organizations argued that they "definitely do not trust in God” and are being forced to uphold a message counter to their beliefs by carrying currency.
• Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender explained that the motto did not constitute an establishment of religion under a Supreme Court ruling requiring a review of “historical practices.”

"The Constitution does not prevent the Government from promoting and 'celebrat[ing] our tradition of religious freedom,' even if the means of doing so — here, adding the national motto to U.S. money — was motivated 'in part because of religious sentiment.' Placing 'In God We Trust' on coins and currency is consistent with historical practices," Gruender said.

• "In God We Trust" began appearing on U.S. coins in 1864 “largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War,” according to the Treasury. It was added to paper currencies in the mid-1960s.

What do you think?

Given the panoply of religious beliefs in America today – including non-belief – should the U.S. reconsider placing “In God We Trust” on its currency? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / duckycards)