In God We Trust by David R. Kenney

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In God We Trustby David R. Kenney

Onemay recall the treasury stamping “In God We Trust” on the edge, rather than theface, of the president’s series of dollar coins. I recall thinking, “They areslowly pushing God right off the coin by moving it to the edge.” Ironically,a story surfaced that the U. S. Treasury had mistakenly minted coins thatfailed to have this slogan. After so much effort by secularists to distorthistory by claiming the founding fathers desired to create a religious neutralgovernment, I was irritated that it appeared yet another inch was beingsurrendered. It is a fact that the founding fathers desired to create agovernment that did not interfere in church government, but they in no waysought to remove Christianity from the government. Onewonders how the press would react if they were treated the same way thesecularists desire to have Christianity treated? The same amendment that givesthe press its freedom gives religion its free exercise! It seems many haveforgotten that the Bill of Rights was passed to avoid government oversteppingits bounds. For those who have not read the Bill of Rights in a while, thefirst amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishmentof religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedomof speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assembleand to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Thesource of the phrase “In God We Trust” is believed to be from the fourth stanzaof the poem upon which our national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” wasbased. “In God We Trust” was adopted as our national motto in 1956, although itfirst appeared on the currency by act of Congress in 1864 on a two-cent coin.The mint has not always utilized this motto on coins. In 1907 the slogan wasremoved from the gold double eagle coin. Interestingly,Theodore Roosevelt opposed having “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency, but thereason does not fit the secularists’ viewpoint. The secularists believe havingGod in government harms the government; however, Roosevelt felt that usingGod’s name on the currency was irreverent toward God, not the nation. Ina letter to William Boldly on Nov. 11, 1907, Roosevelt wrote: “My own feelingin the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto oncoins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but doespositive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close tosacrilege ... it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use oncoins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or inadvertisements.” Thepublic outcry was so great that Congress, on May 18, 1908, passed legislationto have the motto restored. Apparently the outcry was effective since all U. S.coins have included our national motto since 1938. The slogan did not appear onpaper money until 1957.Didyou notice the driving force that restored our national motto to our currency?The public outcry! Sometimes things are discouraging, but that is the time tobe heard. We are blessed to live in a country where we can tell our electedofficials exactly what is on our minds – both at the ballot box and duringtheir term. Maybeyou think, “It is hopeless. We live in a far more dark time than in days ofold.” Wake up! With the Internet, you can go to www.senate.gov,www.house.gov,and www.whitehouse.govand type a message directly to our elected officials in Washington, D.C. forfree. Perhaps you do not like getting involved in political matters. Well, beaware that if we do not speak out for the moral fabric of our country, thesecularists will, but it won’t be the morals of the Bible. Canwe make a difference? Yes. In fact, on Dec. 5, 2007, the House introduced S.2417 to return the national motto to the face of the coin. Result? “In God WeTrust” was returned to the face of the dollar coins beginning with the 2009coin honoring William Henry Harrison as the ninth president. Why? BecauseGod-fearing citizens took a stand. God has blessed us with living in a freenation. May we do all that we can to honor Him in both in word and deed.
 ------------------------- David R. Kenney preaches and teaches for the Wadsworth church of Christ at 236 West Good Avenue, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281.
This article originally appeared in the Wadsworth Post, October 20, 2012