So, my sensationalist title may have caught someone’s attention, but in a manner of speaking, it’s true.
Yesterday, I got an e-mail asking me to go to NBC’s website and vote on some poll regarding whether or not we should keep “In God We Trust” on our currency. I didn’t even go to the site, to be honest, because I have no idea what the HECK NBC is supposed to do about our currency. What’s more, online polls can be tricked, so the results are less-than-scientific. Something else the e-mail said which kind of annoyed me was, “This is not for discussion. If you agree, go vote, and if not, don’t.”
Well, what if I think your view is ridiculous? You’re telling me that there’s nothing anyone can say that will dissuade you from your position? I guess that’s ok, but in my mind, things are ALWAYS up for discussion. That’s what this blog is for.
First off, I’d like to ask you what is the point of having “In God We Trust” on our currency? When did the entire nation begin trusting in God again? One could make the argument that we never did, and I think it’s a valid point, but again I ask, what is the point?
Do you think that having that phrase on our currency is some sort of magical talisman without which we’ll lose the blessings of God regardless of whether the phrase really means anything? I’ve been talking with a dear friend about whether or not believing in Christ is something that can be stated without being examined, and I say that it can not. Stating that someone trusts in Christ is NOT enough, because what is important is the Christ in which someone trusts. The same is true about this phrase on our currency. Because right now, one single fact is dominating this discussion in my mind:
It’s a lie.
Why have this phrase on our currency if it’s not representative of any form of reality. I am reminded of the Presbyterian Church in the USA in the late 30′s and beyond, where their beliefs actually had little to nothing to do with their confessing document, the Westminster Confession of Faith. What was the point of being a confessional church if they weren’t going to actually confess their confessing document, but instead took it to mean whatever they wanted it to mean? It sort of made the Westminster Confession of Faith into something of a joke, much like “In God We Trust” is made into a joke today.
Here’s a suggestion, maybe we ought to spend some time making that statement into a reality on a personal level rather than getting incensed that there are people who see the statement for the lie it is and wanting to remove it, since it means nothing. Let me add this:
I don’t think we should have that statement on our currency. It’s tradition, fine. I think it’s a lame tradition that makes a supremely important statement like that into a lie. I can’t support a tradition that trivializes trusting in God, and I don’t think any self-respecting Christian should.
furthermore, it should be taken out of the pledge of allegiance. not just for the reason you stated, but because it was added after the original was made.
Actually, Mithi, I don’t know that I agree with you on the first point. The concept of being “Under God” has nothing to do with trusting or believing in God. There are people who think we’re NOT under God, though they ought to be pledging allegiance to our flag, so THAT may be a reason to get rid of it.
However, the historical argument carries some weight, though I don’t have a problem with revising things, except for the Word of God. :)