Federal Lawsuit Seeks To Remove ‘In God We Trust’ From U.S. Currency (1 Viewer)

[tonydead]

I am not a believer in God and I think it's ridiculous that those words being on currency bother anyone. So dumb. Who cares? I also bow my head at a wedding or funeral when asked to. Not hurting me one bit. People just want something to complain about.

There is a pretty good argument that the negatives of religion out weigh the positives. That causes some people to take a stance against religion and having religion take a part in government is a pretty big deal if that's what you believe.

It's nonsense. It's been there all along and does no harm. Just people looking for something to ##### about. Same reason we aren't supposed to say Merry Christmas anymore. Just ridiculous. And this is coming from an atheist.

Ok then, as an atheist, where do you draw the line exactly?

 

[Politician Spock]

I am not a believer in God and I think it's ridiculous that those words being on currency bother anyone. So dumb. Who cares? I also bow my head at a wedding or funeral when asked to. Not hurting me one bit. People just want something to complain about.

There is a pretty good argument that the negatives of religion out weigh the positives. That causes some people to take a stance against religion and having religion take a part in government is a pretty big deal if that's what you believe.

It's nonsense. It's been there all along and does no harm. Just people looking for something to ##### about. Same reason we aren't supposed to say Merry Christmas anymore. Just ridiculous. And this is coming from an atheist.

What does no harm? Religion, or the words on our money?

I'll never get the years I gave to a religion back, nor the ####load of tithing I gave it. Yes, religion is harmful.

 

[The Commish]

No problem with it on the bills or off the bills....I couldn't care less. I don't understand why anyone cares one way or the other. Is it because there's a capital G on God? We all have gods in our lives....all of us. Acknowledging that on currency is silly, but not really worth wasting tax dollars over

 

[dparker713]

Again, it's funny how the "it's no big deal" argument only applies to atheists. To a not insubstantial segment of the country, its apparently a big deal if an employer is even tangentially associated with its employee receiving birth control. Its a big deal for a pharmacist to have to sell condoms if he or she has a religious objection to birth control. Its a big deal that Kim Davis has to have her signature on a license for gay people to marry. These are religious objections, after all, so they can't be trivial. But they are trivial. There is no intrusion into the core of religious freedom, which is the freedom of conscience and worship.

Those are also direct actions of a person. So it would be more analogous to an atheist working for engraving and printing rather than using money they've no direct hand in.

 

[JuniorNB]

I am not a believer in God and I think it's ridiculous that those words being on currency bother anyone. So dumb. Who cares? I also bow my head at a wedding or funeral when asked to. Not hurting me one bit. People just want something to complain about.

There is a pretty good argument that the negatives of religion out weigh the positives. That causes some people to take a stance against religion and having religion take a part in government is a pretty big deal if that's what you believe.

It's nonsense. It's been there all along and does no harm. Just people looking for something to ##### about. Same reason we aren't supposed to say Merry Christmas anymore. Just ridiculous. And this is coming from an atheist.

What does no harm? Religion, or the words on our money?

I'll never get the years I gave to a religion back, nor the ####load of tithing I gave it. Yes, religion is harmful.

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

 

[The Commish]

Again, it's funny how the "it's no big deal" argument only applies to atheists. To a not insubstantial segment of the country, its apparently a big deal if an employer is even tangentially associated with its employee receiving birth control. Its a big deal for a pharmacist to have to sell condoms if he or she has a religious objection to birth control. Its a big deal that Kim Davis has to have her signature on a license for gay people to marry. These are religious objections, after all, so they can't be trivial. But they are trivial. There is no intrusion into the core of religious freedom, which is the freedom of conscience and worship.

No...they are bigoted views/objections by people who are attempting to use religion as their "justification". There's a difference.

 

[joffer]

can't believe the penny still exists

 

[cstu]

I am not a believer in God and I think it's ridiculous that those words being on currency bother anyone. So dumb. Who cares? I also bow my head at a wedding or funeral when asked to. Not hurting me one bit. People just want something to complain about.

It's indoctrination. When a child sees it on the money they assume there must be a God or the government wouldn't put it on there.

 

[cstu]

can't believe the penny still exists

Time to tackle this next.

Another way Canada is ahead of us:

http://www.mint.ca/store/mint/about-the-mint/phasing-out-the-penny-6900002#.VpaAgE8bJuo

 

[sdp1226]

What if "God" referred to the money itself....we'd be good then, right?

Change it to a lower case "g" then replace George Washington's face with the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and you've got a deal.

Yes, however, it is printed in all caps so it would need to show as "IN gOD WE TRUST"

 

[Mors Venit]

Can they get rid of it in the pledge of allegiance, too?

can we get rid of the pledge of allegiance?

 

[E Street Brat]

Can it be replaced with the Ben Franklin "Mind Your Business" design?

 

[JuniorNB]

I am not a believer in God and I think it's ridiculous that those words being on currency bother anyone. So dumb. Who cares? I also bow my head at a wedding or funeral when asked to. Not hurting me one bit. People just want something to complain about.

It's indoctrination. When a child sees it on the money they assume there must be a God or the government wouldn't put it on there.

Yeah, so? I saw it on money all of my life. When I was old enough to draw my own conclusions, I realized there was no God.

 

[roadkill1292]

It seems pretty irrelevant to the bidness at hand. And pretty silly for an increasingly secular nation.

 

[CowboysFromHell]

No problem with it on the bills or off the bills....I couldn't care less. I don't understand why anyone cares one way or the other. Is it because there's a capital G on God? We all have gods in our lives....all of us. Acknowledging that on currency is silly, but not really worth wasting tax dollars over

You must have a pretty broad definition of a "god".

 

[Joe Summer]

When the US Mint started issuing the Presidential Dollar coins in 2007, they moved "In God We Trust" to the side of each coin. Conservatives across the country FLIPPED OUT. They demanded that "In God We Trust" be restored to the face of each coin. So, Congress passed a law forcing the Mint to change the design.

Ironically, the Presidential Dollars also removed the word "Liberty" from the design. Conservatives didn't seem as concerned about reinstating that word.

 

[jomar]

It's nonsense. It's been there all along

this is a pretty convincing argument for leaving it on there

 

[The Commish]

No problem with it on the bills or off the bills....I couldn't care less. I don't understand why anyone cares one way or the other. Is it because there's a capital G on God? We all have gods in our lives....all of us. Acknowledging that on currency is silly, but not really worth wasting tax dollars over

You must have a pretty broad definition of a "god".

it's a generally abstract concept to being with

noun
noun: God; noun: god; plural noun: gods; plural noun: the gods

1. 1.
   (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.
   synonyms: the Lord, the Almighty, the Creator, the Maker, the Godhead; More
   
   
   
   
   
2. 2.
   (in certain other religions) a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity.
   "a moon god"
   synonyms: deity, goddess, divine being, celestial being, divinity, immortal,avatar "sacrifices to appease the gods"
   • an image, idol, animal, or other object worshiped as divine or symbolizing a god.
     synonyms: idol, graven image, icon, totem, talisman, fetish, juju "wooden gods"
     
   • used as a conventional personification of fate.
     "he dialed the number and, the gods relenting, got through at once"
     
3. 3.
   an adored, admired, or influential person.
   "he has little time for the fashion victims for whom he is a god"
   • a thing accorded the supreme importance appropriate to a god.
     "don't make money your god"
     
4. 4.
   informal
   the gallery in a theater.
   

The bold is to what I was referring.

ETA: And you are correct, the broadness of the definition is what it is and is a significant factor in my being unable to understand why anyone gives a #### one way or the other.

 

[CowboysFromHell]

It's nonsense. It's been there all along

this is a pretty convincing argument for leaving it on there

It's also incorrect.

 

[tonydead]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

 

[[icon]]

I'd love it gone just to see folks flip the #### out.

 

[JuniorNB]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

 

[Wrigley]

No problem with it on the bills or off the bills....I couldn't care less. I don't understand why anyone cares one way or the other. Is it because there's a capital G on God? We all have gods in our lives....all of us. Acknowledging that on currency is silly, but not really worth wasting tax dollars over

You must have a pretty broad definition of a "god".

it's a generally abstract concept to being with

noun

noun: God; noun: god; plural noun: gods; plural noun: the gods

• 1.
  
  (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.
  
  synonyms: the Lord, the Almighty, the Creator, the Maker, the Godhead; More
  
• 2.
  
  (in certain other religions) a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity.
  
  "a moon god"
  
  synonyms: deity, goddess, divine being, celestial being, divinity, immortal,avatar
  
  "sacrifices to appease the gods"
  
  
  
  
  
  an image, idol, animal, or other object worshiped as divine or symbolizing a god.
  
  synonyms: idol, graven image, icon, totem, talisman, fetish, juju
  
  "wooden gods"
  
• 
  
  
  
  used as a conventional personification of fate.
  
  "he dialed the number and, the gods relenting, got through at once"
  

[*]

3.

an adored, admired, or influential person.

"he has little time for the fashion victims for whom he is a god"

• 
  
  
  
  a thing accorded the supreme importance appropriate to a god.
  
  "don't make money your god"
  

[*]

4.

informal

the gallery in a theater.

The bold is to what I was referring.

ETA: And you are correct, the broadness of the definition is what it is and is a significant factor in my being unable to understand why anyone gives a #### one way or the other.

So Eddie Veder?

 

[Koya]

Just because I don't get my panties all in a bunch over the issue, does not mean that it's right for the gov't to even so subtly push one theocratic perspective over another.

What gets me is the abject fear of those who feel like their lifestyle and beliefs are somehow at risk and infringed upon by allowing our gov't to simply be NEUTRAL. You know, like just don't pick a side, let private lives do that as is set for in the Constitution. Not freedom from religion, but freedom from gov't sponsored religion - why is it beneficial to have that here, when we are all to be free and equal?

Here we have a matter that the same person will belligerently be upset with the idea of striking the mention of one particular theocratic perspective (monotheistic) while then saying, and why does it matter its such a minor thing. Why then are you so damned upset?

How insecure must some people be to feel threatened by the idea of gov't being truly neutral and unbiased?

The govt's only role "in" religion should be to protect each and all of our rights to pursue it for ourselves, in our way, without intrusion from the gov't (wherever possible, that's another discussion altogether).

 

[Koya]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

I'd say part of why we honor those lost in the Towers is because we live in a nation where we are supposed to be FREE from theocracy. This might be a middling small component of the gov't choosing religious sides, but that doesn't make it the right thing for a democratic gov't that is supposed to rely on equality for all under the law to back any particular viewpoint.

And, again... if this is such a middling who cares issue, just take the damn language off and be done with it. Eh?

 

[CowboysFromHell]

I'd love it gone just to see folks flip the #### out.

But if it's so insignificant and harmless and a non-issue, why would people flip out if it's removed? And yet, we all know you're right.

 

[timschochet]

It's a very big deal to about half the country. Did anybody watch Nikki Haley last night? She must have mentioned God about 20 times.

 

[roadkill1292]

It's nonsense. It's been there all along

this is a pretty convincing argument for leaving it on there

This is schtick, right? Doing things the way we've always done them because it's the way we've always done them is poor reasoning. Things don't get changed with that kind of attitude, mister.

 

[roadkill1292]

It's a very big deal to about half the country. Did anybody watch Nikki Haley last night? She must have mentioned God about 20 times.

We have to work on this. If you're on this forum and you like when elected officials talk about god a lot, please step forward so that we may mock you convince you of a more modern approach.

 

[dparker713]

I'd say part of why we honor those lost in the Towers is because we live in a nation where we are supposed to be FREE from theocracy.

Bull####

 

[CowboysFromHell]

It's nonsense. It's been there all along

this is a pretty convincing argument for leaving it on there

This is schtick, right? Doing things the way we've always done them because it's the way we've always done them is poor reasoning. Things don't get changed with that kind of attitude, mister.

And yet, why do I have this feeling that the courts are going to fall back on a similar argument to justify striking this down?

 

[tonydead]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

 

[CowboysFromHell]

I'd say part of why we honor those lost in the Towers is because we live in a nation where we are supposed to be FREE from theocracy.

Bull####

 

[Koya]

It's a very big deal to about half the country. Did anybody watch Nikki Haley last night? She must have mentioned God about 20 times.

That's great. And I would fight to the death for her and all of our right to do so. Or not. Or praise to multiple gods. Or the power of humanity if you don't believe in a god.

That said, let us be clear that freedom to pursue, speak about, practice, religion pertains to all of us as citizens, not to the government.

 

[Koya]

I'd say part of why we honor those lost in the Towers is because we live in a nation where we are supposed to be FREE from theocracy.

Bull####

Can't speak for you, but I can no longer count the times that I have discussed this over a beer, at a 4th of July, on the anniversary of that day. For a lot of us, survivors, police and fire, friends of survivors and of those lost, that's exactly what rings so true.

Sorry if we value our Freedom and remember those who lost their lives, in part at least, because other nations threatened that freedom, if not despised it to begin with. But to say bull####, that's honestly a bit bull####.

 

[Juxtatarot]

It should be removed and I hope it is. However, I have a hard time seeing how, by using cash, the U.S. Treasury is "pushing" God on me.

 

[TheMagus]

Meh. Let them have their little words. It's not like my fingers are going to burn if I touch it. The religious wing nuts constantly pretending they are being victimized is far more annoying than the fine print on a dollar bill. It's not worth the commotion.

 

[dparker713]

I'd say part of why we honor those lost in the Towers is because we live in a nation where we are supposed to be FREE from theocracy.

Bull####

Can't speak for you, but I can no longer count the times that I have discussed this over a beer, at a 4th of July, on the anniversary of that day. For a lot of us, survivors, police and fire, friends of survivors and of those lost, that's exactly what rings so true.

Sorry if we value our Freedom and remember those who lost their lives, in part at least, because other nations threatened that freedom, if not despised it to begin with. But to say bull####, that's honestly a bit bull####.

That is a reason we were attacked. Its not why we honor those that died.

ETA - and this has next to nothing to do with having a phrase on our currency.

 

[The Commish]

I'd love it gone just to see folks flip the #### out.

But if it's so insignificant and harmless and a non-issue, why would people flip out if it's removed? And yet, we all know you're right.

Because most Americans are scared to be on an island with their thinking even if it's just a perceived island they create. It's a flaw in a lot of people that I don't understand. Strangely enough it happens most frequently in religion and politics....go figure.

 

[The Commish]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

What exactly does it take to be a "good atheist" these days??

 

[Black Box]

Again, it's funny how the "it's no big deal" argument only applies to atheists. To a not insubstantial segment of the country, its apparently a big deal if an employer is even tangentially associated with its employee receiving birth control. Its a big deal for a pharmacist to have to sell condoms if he or she has a religious objection to birth control. Its a big deal that Kim Davis has to have her signature on a license for gay people to marry. These are religious objections, after all, so they can't be trivial. But they are trivial. There is no intrusion into the core of religious freedom, which is the freedom of conscience and worship.

It seems, at least to me, that the "no big deal" argument is being applied to atheists since they are (1) not religious, and (2) insist that they are not a religion (e.g. we don't describe someone who does not collect stamps as a non-stamp collector). So it seems weird for one to make a "big deal" over a religious objection.

A religious objector can at least tie an objection back to a positive statement of faith or doctrine which is being violated, which would make it a "big deal" for him or her.

 

[tonydead]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

What exactly does it take to be a "good atheist" these days??

A simple understanding why prayer in school isn't a good idea, for starters.

 

[CowboysFromHell]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

What exactly does it take to be a "good atheist" these days??

A simple understanding why prayer in school isn't a good idea, for starters.

A festivus pole and a pasta strainer for a hat.

 

[CowboysFromHell]

Again, it's funny how the "it's no big deal" argument only applies to atheists. To a not insubstantial segment of the country, its apparently a big deal if an employer is even tangentially associated with its employee receiving birth control. Its a big deal for a pharmacist to have to sell condoms if he or she has a religious objection to birth control. Its a big deal that Kim Davis has to have her signature on a license for gay people to marry. These are religious objections, after all, so they can't be trivial. But they are trivial. There is no intrusion into the core of religious freedom, which is the freedom of conscience and worship.

It seems, at least to me, that the "no big deal" argument is being applied to atheists since they are (1) not religious, and (2) insist that they are not a religion (e.g. we don't describe someone who does not collect stamps as a non-stamp collector). So it seems weird for one to make a "big deal" over a religious objection.

A religious objector can at least tie an objection back to a positive statement of faith or doctrine which is being violated, which would make it a "big deal" for him or her.

So, changing "In God We Trust" to "Allah Akbar" would be objectionable, right?

 

[The Commish]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

What exactly does it take to be a "good atheist" these days??

A simple understanding why prayer in school isn't a good idea, for starters.

That all? You posed a question that appeared to be asking which was harmful and which wasn't of the two scenarios. He answered your question. Perhaps it was a poorly worded question, but as stated I don't really have a problem with his answer. Your reaction suggests the words you typed weren't what you were asking?

 

[Black Box]

Again, it's funny how the "it's no big deal" argument only applies to atheists. To a not insubstantial segment of the country, its apparently a big deal if an employer is even tangentially associated with its employee receiving birth control. Its a big deal for a pharmacist to have to sell condoms if he or she has a religious objection to birth control. Its a big deal that Kim Davis has to have her signature on a license for gay people to marry. These are religious objections, after all, so they can't be trivial. But they are trivial. There is no intrusion into the core of religious freedom, which is the freedom of conscience and worship.

It seems, at least to me, that the "no big deal" argument is being applied to atheists since they are (1) not religious, and (2) insist that they are not a religion (e.g. we don't describe someone who does not collect stamps as a non-stamp collector). So it seems weird for one to make a "big deal" over a religious objection.

A religious objector can at least tie an objection back to a positive statement of faith or doctrine which is being violated, which would make it a "big deal" for him or her.

So, changing "In God We Trust" to "Allah Akbar" would be objectionable, right?

Probably not to Muslims. Probably to other religions. I would guess no big deal to atheists, but maybe not?

 

[tonydead]

That all?

No, I said for starters.

You posed a question that appeared to be asking which was harmful and which wasn't of the two scenarios.

No I didn't, I gave him a couple of examples and asked him where he drew the line.

He answered your question.

No he didn't.

Perhaps it was a poorly worded question, but as stated I don't really have a problem with his answer.

I don't really care what you think, I wasn't talking to you.

Your reaction suggests the words you typed weren't what you were asking?

I don't really care what you think, I wasn't talking to you.

 

[JuniorNB]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

What exactly does it take to be a "good atheist" these days??

A simple understanding why prayer in school isn't a good idea, for starters.

Ok, I'll be a good atheist and pretend that anything involving the word 'God" just infuriates me and throws my whole day off. Happy now?

 

[The Commish]

 

[dparker713]

Words on money. Or saying Merry Christmas. Or someone asking everyone to bow your their heads while they say a prayer. Harmless.

Directly they are, but, indirectly they support the existence of religion which is. Again, where do you draw the line? Is saying prayer in school harmless? Is flying planes into buildings harmless? It's a social construct that many believe we would be better off without.

ROFL Hmm, I'd say prayer in school is harmless and flying planes into buildings is not. What do I win?

One of the worst atheist ever awards.

What exactly does it take to be a "good atheist" these days??

A simple understanding why prayer in school isn't a good idea, for starters.

Ok, I'll be a good atheist and pretend that anything involving the word 'God" just infuriates me and throws my whole day off. Happy now?

Don't you also need to be evangelical about your beliefs or lack thereof?