A federal appeals court in Minnesota upheld that the phrase ‘In God We Trust,’ printed on U.S. currency, is Constitutional, striking another blow to atheists who have claimed it violates their First Amendment free speech and religious rights.
A group of 29 atheists, children of atheists, and atheist groups filed a lawsuit claiming that the motto violated their rights and amounted to religious coercion.
The 3-0 ruling (one judge withheld analysis) upheld a Dec. 2016 lower court ruling and indicated that the phrase is in line with historical use.
Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender opined that the Constitution lets the government celebrate “our tradition of religious freedom,” and as such, using it on currency “comports with early understandings of the Establishment Clause.”
A lawyer for the atheists, who fails to see the irony in claiming the phrase is religious coercion but having it removed would not be the same, called the ruling “utterly revolting.”
Federal appeals court rules ‘In God We Trust’ on U.S. currency constitutional pic.twitter.com/JvZQDcVK0e
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 29, 2018
In May, a pair of Minnesota Democrats challenged a bill that would allow ‘In God We Trust’ back into high schools, even claiming that the phrase offends them.
“The money in my wallet has to say ‘In God We Trust.’ I think that’s offensive,” Senator John Marty said on the floor of the state Senate.
Another Senator, Scott Dibble, offered a false equivalency in his argument.
“I’m wondering if (Dan Hall, the Senator who introduced the bill) would feel the same if students walked in and instead of the word ‘God’ the word ‘Allah’ – which is the word for God in the Muslim religion – welcomes students to their schools.”
8th Cir. rejects establishment clause challenge to “In God We Trust” on U.S. money, holding
(1) Using the motto this way is a long-standing tradition; and
(2) Nobody could believe that using such currency forces citizens to participate in belief in God. https://t.co/3ViNDUYbiu— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) August 28, 2018
President Dwight Eisenhower signed a law making the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ the national motto in 1956.
During his first State of the Union address, President Trump reminded Americans of this fact.
“In America, we know that faith and family, not government and bureaucracy, are the center of the American life,” he said. “Our motto is ‘in God we trust.'”
Democrats refused to applaud the line, instead of sitting stone-faced at the mention of our nation’s motto.
Trump, by contrast, not only said it, he’s lived by those words.
Earlier this year, the President signed an executive order creating a new faith-based office in the White House.
In July, Trump’s Justice Department announced that they were forming a religious liberty task force to protect freedom of religion in America.
And the White House has been hosting weekly Bible study sessions, further infuriating atheists.
Public schools in six states have now passed laws allowing the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ to appear within district buildings.
Why not be fair and equitable? The most common money denominations could say “In God We Trust” and one of the less used bills could say “Allah Akbar”. Another can say “Satan Rules”. Why not?
By the way, Trump doesn’t believe in God. He is willing to talk about God, but he doesn’t have any problem spitting on God’s rules. Three wives, and he cheated on each of them.
Not true. He also knows that God forgives us and that we break his rules all the time. God knows that he didn’t make ANY man or woman perfect. I’m wondering how many times you have mess up and yet continue to blame other people. Something about throwing stones is in the Bible as well. Might want to read up.
I don’t believe atheist does not believe in God, They’re not immune to suffering, casualty, frustration, depression that they don’t utter God or somebody for help.
Being an atheist means you don’t believe in God. But I say atheist DO believe in Him because they are always mad at Him. Atheism is NOT a religion. So how can the words on the money be against “their” religion. The folks who hate God are ALWAYS focusing on Him. They make Him tangible. God Bless and help all those angry folk.
I think that the atheist should be banned. They offend the hell out of ME.
I would not mind seeing god we trust removed. With the way, Religion Paedophile priest can get a job.
You said it right using the word “religious”. The catholic church is NOT now, nor has it ever been anything but a giant cult that brainwashes and abuses it’s prisoners. It is NOT a christian organization in any way.
Stop kidding your self BenDavis. It happing in all types of religions Including Christian organization.
Perhaps if they dislike our motto so much, they all move to some diaper-head country, or use pesos instead, and good luck using that.
If atheist are so afraid of the Motto “In God we trust”, why is it that 2 of the most often used phrases that they use when mad or surprised are “OMG” or “God ****it”? Inquiring minds want to know.