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Christian Right Gets Its Way: 'In God We Trust' Will Have Prominence on New Coin

Church and State. Posted February 2, 2008.


Congress has mandated that the phrase "In God We Trust" has greater prominence on the new presidential dollar coins.

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Responding to complaints from the Religious Right, Congress has passed legislation mandating that the phrase "In God We Trust" be moved from the edge to the back or front of the new presidential dollar coins.

President George W. Bush signed the measure into law Dec. 26. It was tucked into a $555 billion domestic spending bill after having been pushed by U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). Brownback and other Religious Right conservatives have been complaining about the new coins since the series started last year.

The U.S. Mint has been releasing gold-colored dollars honoring each non-living U.S. president. Four coins are released per year. The first four coins, honoring George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were issued in 2007.

Under a mandate from Congress, the Mint was required to place the national mottos "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum" along the edge of the coins. The idea was to allow for more dramatic portraits on the obverses of the coins and better art elements on the reverses.

But many in the Religious Right went ballistic after a batch of coins was inadvertently produced without the mottos on the edge. They also complained that the words were hard to read and that they would wear off over time.

Officials at the Mint say the dies for the 2008 coins, which honor James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, have already been produced, so the change will not be visible until the 2009 series is produced. Those coins will honor William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.

Although there was never any evidence that the Mint was considering removing the motto, many Religious Right activists insisted that relegating "In God We Trust" to the edge of the coins was some kind of nefarious plot to ditch the phrase altogether.

"I certainly can't imagine growing up in a country and under a government that is atheistic and denies the existence and dependence upon God," said Dave Stotts, who hosts a program for Focus on the Family called "Drive Thru History."

Stotts and other motto boosters fail to note that the phrase did not appear on coins until 1864. The motto was stamped on coinage after a Pennsylvania pastor suggested it to the Mint, arguing that the Civil War was a punishment from God.

The phrase was removed from coins briefly during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt when new coins were designed. Its use was not mandated on paper currency until 1957, one year after Congress declared "In God We Trust" the national motto.

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Well, good for them.
Posted by: ABetterFuture on Feb 2, 2008 12:15 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Nice to see that if enough people throw a hissy in a democratic form of government that is our republic, said republic will take action in accordance with the will of the people.

Now, if only the people's will could be done by the republicans, or--heaven forbid--the democrats, who were voted in in double-ought-six with a mandate to do the people's will with regard to a certain bloody and monetary tribalistic sinkhole named *Iraq*.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Well, good for them. Posted by: donl51
» RE: Well, good for them. Posted by: Bibsi
» RE: Well, good for them. Posted by: ohb0b
Not A Big Deal
Posted by: NoPCZone on Feb 2, 2008 12:24 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We are not a theocracy and everybody not detached from reality knows it. The big worry is how much longer will US currency have any real value.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Not A Big Deal Posted by: willymack
» RE: Not A Big Deal Posted by: Bibsi
» RE: Not A Big Deal Posted by: ohb0b
Attempting to delay the inevitable
Posted by: factbased on Feb 2, 2008 12:40 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Putting god on coins reminds me of those pushing for a "marriage amendment." Homophobia is waning and there's nothing substantial they can do about it, but they dream of getting an amendment in place to hold off the coming majority on the issue until it's an overwhelming majority. Similarly, I think putting god on coins is an attempt to stem the tide of a coming enlightenment. I have hope that the warm light of reason will prevail in my lifetime.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Hypocrisy
Posted by: sanddollar on Feb 2, 2008 1:54 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yet another cheap symbol American Xtians foist on everyone around them, to compensate for their ongoing failure to live by the Prince of Peace's instructions how to treat one another in their personal lives. God, this is getting old.

I suppose those who truly worship mammon find some satisfaction by tagging their true altar with the name of Whom they desperately want others to think they worship.

In my view, it's the height of sacrilege to do this to our money as the value of the dollar tanks.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Hypocrisy Posted by: willymack
» Nor can we trust our priests... Posted by: sanddollar
» RE: Hypocrisy Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: Hypocrisy Posted by: Bibsi
Better things to do!
Posted by: carbon-based on Feb 2, 2008 3:53 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It just seems the left has pushed this issue of banning religion from public view that it has made something as simple as this an issue.

"In God We Trust.." what a hateful phrase. Imagine that..seeing a phrase such as that on a coin. Lets protest!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: aislinnluv
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: Intellect
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: bitsfick
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: Blink
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: factbased
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» What irks me most Posted by: sanddollar
» RE: What irks me most Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: What irks me most Posted by: sanddollar
» RE: Hey, horse! Posted by: Longdream
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: Intellect
» Aha! Posted by: mainspark
» RE: Aha! Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: jmooney
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: pcushniesr
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: corky
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: The Kingdom of God Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: The Kingdom of God Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: sanddollar
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: carbon-based
» Give it up, man Posted by: Blink
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: factbased
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: Blink
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: sanddollar
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: Blink
» RE: Give it up, man Posted by: sanddollar
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: sanddollar
» WAY to GO GIANTS.. Posted by: carbon-based
» RE: Better things to do! Posted by: Bibsi
Time management
Posted by: kepstein7777 on Feb 2, 2008 3:58 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's see...Write your congressman about what all the little words on the coins say. Bitch at PTA meeting about heathenous evolution claptrap. Heckle welfare moms in front of abortion clinic. Morning prayers. Afternoon prayers. Evening prayers. Midnight snack prayers. Collect petitions to ban gay marriage, gay adoptions, and gay people. Convert neighbors. Convert neighbor's dog. Listen to Focus on the Family. Homeschool kids. Beat kids. Beat wife. Watch 700 Club...

These religious nuts seem to have a lot of free time. How do they do it all?

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» RE: Time management Posted by: willymack
» Time management AMEN!! Posted by: MuddPi
» RE: Time management Posted by: Bibsi
» Hilarious, but oh so TRUE! RE: Time management Posted by: Aposterioriperception
i had to smile
Posted by: aislinnluv on Feb 2, 2008 4:06 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
reading that some other preacher in the 19th century tagged a horrific event (the civil war) as punishment from god. for what, i wondered? - remembering pat robertson called 9/11 god's punishment for gays... or however it is that he phrased that. what sad, ignorant people these are, that find it necessary to use their government to try to force their personal beliefs on an entire population! they should instead be distancing their god from the currency; after all, didn't jesus shove the money-lenders out of the temple?

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» RE: i had to smile Posted by: jmooney
» RE: i had to smile Posted by: Bibsi
» Contant Hypocrisy on Parade RE: i had to smile Posted by: Aposterioriperception
In God they do NOT trust
Posted by: wawa on Feb 2, 2008 5:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The very wrong 'Christian' right trusts in the Industrial Military Media Surveillance Big Brother Complex.

These fundamentalists [meaning they don't THINK!] lust for Armageddon in the fallacious belief JC will lift them out of the misery of the world and they thrive on FEAR, not truth.

An informative NEWS story illuminating the real dangers of the very wrong 'Christian' right and their faith in the government/military can be read:

WAWA Blog February 3, 2008:

USA Air Force Academy Feb. 6, 2008: Failure of Intelligence to Support the Troops

WAWA:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/

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Since money has become our god, why not?
Posted by: Sojourner on Feb 2, 2008 6:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Those who want the 10 Commandments, including the one that prohibits idolatry, plastered on walls everywhere are the very same ones identifying money with our god.

Money is what we worship. That's why our most magnificent structures in public life are bank buildings and investment houses.

The real religion of our people is wealth. Net worth is what we measure ourselves against. Symbolically transfering that to coinage actually gives authentic religion a chance, although the Devil will never stop quoting scripture.

The irony is lost on those who put their faith in mottos, but we can continue to point it out at every opportunity.

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I have beliefs of my own
Posted by: UnEasyOne on Feb 2, 2008 6:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not too likely you share em.

Fine with me - I could care less.

I don't especially care what superstitious nonsense you subscribe to either - unless you try to rub my face in it.

Then I care - and I long for the day when all the pushy theocrats will be relegated to the powerless ridicule they so richly deserve.

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And I thought the Democrats would protect us from such religious exploitation and bigotry !!!!
Posted by: maxpayne on Feb 2, 2008 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a white male Christian, I am ashamed of the way government and Big "Religion" have made a toxic mix and mess of everything ! We're borrowing money like crazy from China and trying to cover it up with religious bullshit. When fundies take over a religion, you better be a vigilante if you're going to defeat them.

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weak faith
Posted by: bitsfick on Feb 2, 2008 7:02 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To all you good Christians out there{oxymoron intended} is your faith and your god so weak that you need to be constantly reminded of it? Would your faith be any-less meaningful if your money did not have in god we trust written on it?, would you beliefs falter if in the pledge of allegiance we took out the phrase under god. Are you really that insecure that you need a constant reminder of your faith? Where does this bullshit end, do you want it on your license plate? How about your drivers license, your birth certificate, your cash register receipt? Lets not stop there, how about milk cartons, egg cartons, road side warning signs. It could say speed zone ahead, IN GOD WE TRUST. The list is endless you could tattooed on you genitalia so that every time you have sex or take shower you would be reminded of your faith.

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» RE: weak faith Posted by: bitsfick
» RE: weak faith Posted by: Jas1317
» RE: weak faith Posted by: Intellect
» RE: weak faith Posted by: Bibsi
» faith is a dirty word Posted by: factbased
» RE: weak faith Posted by: munchkinpup
» RE: weak faith Posted by: JOHN L.
» RE: weak faith Posted by: Bibsi
» RE: weak faith Posted by: Bibsi
Don't throw away the bambino with the bathwater
Posted by: fifthworld on Feb 2, 2008 7:10 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Look, folks, in God you BETTER trust, with the way the world is going down the tube. Or whatever you want to call "it", hold onto SOMETHING bigger than ego, culture, false comfort, currency... Or if not god, then gold. : ) "I got mine"...

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» trust evidence Posted by: factbased
» Keep your delusions to yourself! Posted by: Aposterioriperception
Show a little class once in while whydontcha
Posted by: LMNOP on Feb 2, 2008 7:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How incredibly tiresome and boring these people from the Christian movement are. I suppose that’s why they’re called “borin’ agains”. They’ve become caricatures of themselves. They reveal what the power of Christianity and their felonious (twice convicted of capital offenses) and publicly humiliated and executed mascot actually turns out to be: the power of incessant whining and self-pity.

Besides dividing people and providing justification for whatever violent crusade or program of torture they want to dish out (Salem, Torquemada, Bush), something about this belief system makes these people are incessant whiners. They don’t like ANYTHING. You never hear of Buddhists or Hindus or Muslims whining. They may blow themselves up or immolate themselves in protest, but they don’t cry like these people

And everything is a conspiracy against them, even a coin minting oversight. If that’s the power of Christ, I’ll stick to whatever it is those moonbats call lapsed Christians like me – pagan or heathen or whatever. It’s more dignified and respectable. You never hear pagans and heathens whining about being picked on despite the fact that Christians continually pick on them. How about a little dignity, Christians?

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» RE: Show a little class once in while whydontcha Posted by: Aposterioriperception
Grousefeather
Posted by: Grousefeather on Feb 2, 2008 7:14 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since money is our God it stands to reason that we would want God's name on it.

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» RE: Grousefeather Posted by: Bibsi
Religious elite
Posted by: zeofredo on Feb 2, 2008 7:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As soon as one declares that their religion transcends all others, you have the makings of a drawn-out conflict involving generations of believers. Hard to convince someone so blindly certain of their beliefs that this is in fact the source of most oppression and exclusion in human societies throughout the ages.

I am certain that the brutal, ugly fundamentalism we see in certain Islamic cultures is a reaction to an equally damnable trend of aggressive Judeo-Christian proselytizing which has been going on for the past 50-60 years. A few wayward clerics probably said "Enough of your chosen people and haughty self-righteousness... we see the duplicity of your actions, and you are not nice people."

American christians are too limited in their experience of the world. Theirs is a certainty borne of naivety. Their distaste for other cultures is a cowardly reaction to diversity and the unfamiliar. Rather than consider they could be mistaken at times, they take comfort most in knowing that their nation is 'blessed' by the deity of their choice.

The only suggestion I have is to be antagonistic and disapproving to their behavior at every step. Never miss a chance to voice your opinion and challenge their authority... it's clumsy and undignified, but that seems to be the way they want to play...

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I'm OK with "In god we trust"
Posted by: observing on Feb 2, 2008 7:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
so long as it also says "all others pay cash."

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That must be what the US gov't stamps -
Posted by: symcokid on Feb 2, 2008 7:40 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
on their deficit spending packages, yeh, "In God We Trust". Everytime this country borrows money from China to help finance the illegal war in Iraq the USofA stamps "In God We Trust" on the money bags. Where will all of this insanity end?

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» Spread this meme Posted by: factbased
The biggest user of these $1 coins
Posted by: Ellie1 on Feb 2, 2008 7:55 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
are gamblers in casinos-they fit so well in slot machines. I guess they won't have to say a prayer before tossing their money into the machines anymore. Somehow I don't think that is what the born again
sh-ts had in mind.

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Rumors to the contrary...
Posted by: Serafim Tkachuk on Feb 2, 2008 9:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...we are living in a theocracy.

Sure, it's not one dictated by the Constitution, not one recognized in law, and certainly not one most Americans want or approve of, but we are -- in most practical ways -- most definitely living in a theocracy. It's a shadowy theocracy that mostly dares not reveal itself in the light of day, but it's a theocracy nonetheless. The political and social air we breathe stinks of it for all that we try to deny it. Currency to speeches, churches to football games, godtalk is everywhere.

As befitting its shadowy nature, it's a elusive deity, dark and sinister in every way. It hides in the cracks and hidden corners of our lives. It advocates endless war. One of its names is Mammon. Another is Patriotism. Another is Security. It has taken many names over the centuries, but always leaves a trail of blood and suffering as it stalks the land.

Oh yes, "In God We Trust", but the true name of that Dark Lord is one we cannot utter aloud for fear of being branded a lunatic.

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» RE: I'll say it! Posted by: Dboy
» RE: I'll say it! Posted by: Intellect
» RE: I'll say it! Posted by: Dboy
The Other Side of The Coin
Posted by: InsertNameHere on Feb 2, 2008 9:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...They also complained that the words were hard to read and that they would wear off over time.

We've been hoping they would wear off over time as well, but no such luck.

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SHOULD WE FIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING ?
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Feb 2, 2008 9:03 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When's the last time anyone looked closely at a dime or a quarter and felt personally offended? We're getting ridiculous! ANNA

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As the biggest players in religious holy war,
Posted by: thelostsailor on Feb 2, 2008 9:38 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
it is only fitting that we display our religion as prominently as anything else. Apparently we are some generic christian brand- much much holier than another other religious ball clubs playing war today.
This is a great move to remind the 'other side' that they can't mess with our god or our military.
Yet how ironic: We better "trust in god" or some higher power, because we've done very bad things that suggest some bad karma or sought retribution by the...rest of the world.

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This country wasn't founded by Christians
Posted by: vasumurti on Feb 2, 2008 9:46 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In 1787 when the framers excluded all mention of God from the Constitution, they were widely denounced as immoral and the document was denounced as godless, which is precisely what it is. Opponents of the Constitution challenged ratifying conventions in nearly every state, calling attention to Article VI, Section 3: “No religious test shall be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

An anti-federalist in North Carolina wrote: "The exclusion of religious tests is by many thought dangerous and impolitic. Pagans, Deists and Mohammedans might obtain office among us.” Amos Singletary of Massachusetts, one of the most outspoken critics of the Constitution, said that he “hoped to see Christians (in power), yet by the Constitution, a papist or an infidel was as eligible as they.”

The United States Constitution is a completely secular political document. It begins “We the people,” and contains no mention of “God,” “Jesus,” or “Christianity.” Its only references to religion are exclusionary, such as the “no religious test” clause (Article VI), and “Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” (First Amendment)

The presidential oath of office, the only oath detailed in the Constitution, does not contain the phrase “so help me God” or any requirement to swear on a Bible (Article II, Section 1). The words “under God” did not appear in the Pledge of Allegiance until 1954, when Congress, under McCarthyism, inserted them.

Similarly, “In God we Trust” was absent from paper currency before 1956, though it did appear on some coins beginning in 1864. The original U.S. motto, written by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, is “E Pluribus Unum” (“Of Many, One”) celebrating plurality and diversity.

In 1797, America made a treaty with Tripoli, declaring that “the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” This reassurance to Islam was written under Washington’s presidency and approved by the Senate under John Adams.

We are not governed by the Declaration of Independence. Its purpose was to “dissolve the political bonds,” not to set up a religious nation. Its authority was based upon the idea that “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” which is contrary to the biblical concept of rule by divine authority. The Declaration deals with laws, taxation, representation, war, immigration, etc., and doesn’t discuss religion at all.

The references to “Nature’s God,” “Creator,” and “Divine Providence” in the Declaration do not endorse Christianity. Its author, Thomas Jefferson, was a Deist, opposed to Christianity and the supernatural.

“Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus,” wrote Thomas Jefferson. However, Jefferson admitted, “In the New Testament there is internal evidence that parts of it have proceeded from an extraordinary man and that other parts are the fabric of very inferior minds.”

Thomas Jefferson established the separation of church and state. Jefferson was deeply suspicious of religion and of clergy wielding political power:

“The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts as are only injurious to others, but it does no injury for my neighbor to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”

Jefferson, Madison and Paine’s writings indicate America was not intended to be a Christian theocracy. “I have sworn upon the altar of God,” wrote Jefferson, “eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

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finally, the truth about right-wing belief?
Posted by: luzmejor on Feb 2, 2008 9:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's appropriate, don't you think?

Americans who pretend to have faith in god are actually making a public statement that their god is Money, "filthy lucre" itself!

But they are very liberal about the gods they worship, too. Let's not forget their equal deference to wars, oil and "nukular" bombs!

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religion is nothing but a con game
Posted by: Doubtom on Feb 2, 2008 9:56 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Take a close look at most of our government representatives and you see
con men at work. They may differ minutely, in what they profess to believe but in one way they're all alike and that is in their "professed" belief in a god. So much is this a part of the fabric of society, that not one of them dares to run for office without expressing their piety.
So, there we have our government; con men working a con game. And it works because we are, for the most part, ignorant.
For every age there's always been sufficient con men and ample ignorance.

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» lets not be sexist Posted by: undrgrndgirl
Mr. Mister
Posted by: MisterWu on Feb 2, 2008 11:36 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I want to see God profile on our money not some stupid ex-President.

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» RE: Mr. Mister Posted by: Lauren
» RE:Lauren Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: Lauren Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Lauren Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: Lauren Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: Mr. Mister Posted by: carbon-based
In Om We Trust?
Posted by: lc on Feb 2, 2008 11:53 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
God is not Christian so why do they insist that this is a Christian nation? These religious fanatics confuse denominations within religion and non-Christians as heathens of no God consciousness yet all follow the religions of the same cult of circumcision, that is The Covenant made with a 'lord' in a "bow in the cloud."

The word god comes from ancient Sumer, the clay tablets inscribed with the Creation Story. There were physical 'gods' doing works on rivers and streams and there were 'higher gods' managing them and directing their work. Both gods complained of the physical work and demanded some sort of animal be created to replace them.
Humans were created in the likeness of 'gods'
God or god, which gods for you? The all seeing eye on the dollar bill is a space ship spying on US; the same race that sent their gods here to mine planet earth have been playing in our genes longer than any dare think. Any one care to debate Intelligent Design? What's in your pants? If it is a bald Mr. Winkie, then One God is for you; the same God for Moslem, Jew or Christian all chop off the ends of their cocks because a "lord from above" convinced them to, long, long ago.
IM
Belteshazzar
IM
Beltshazzar

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» RE: In Om We Trust? Posted by: undrgrndgirl
» RE: In Amen We Trust? Posted by: Dboy
» RE: In Om We Trust? Posted by: Richard House
Sounds good to me.
Posted by: Longdream on Feb 2, 2008 11:58 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Religious Right wants "In God We Trust" on the front of a coin?

Beats all heck out of a clear shot at interfering with civil and biological rights, the unobstructed legalization of bigotry, and a stage to swan around on to spew venomous hate-speech. That's what they usually want.

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» RE: Sounds good to me. Posted by: luzmejor
» RE: Sounds good to me. Posted by: Longdream
If they trust in god so much
Posted by: Reich Wingers NightMare on Feb 2, 2008 1:32 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
then why are they in Iraq murdering women and children?

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» RE: You call them US Army Posted by: Longdream
same ol same ol
Posted by: Joe on Feb 2, 2008 1:51 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
what i find funny is the people who's policies could have an affect on changing this people go out their way to denounce but continue hold highly people won't change a thing.

it's like watching flies bang their heads on the glass when there is an open opportunity a couple feet away.

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Figures that the religious wingnuts would put
Posted by: thekidde on Feb 2, 2008 2:27 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"in god we trust" on money. Didn't Christ pitch these bastards out of the temple of Jerusalem? Just a thought.

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so what....
Posted by: undrgrndgirl on Feb 2, 2008 2:37 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
historically dollar coins have not done well (except with collectors)because they don't work in vending machines...i did like the text on the edge of the coin, though, thought that was clever...

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A LITLE HERESY
Posted by: outrider on Feb 2, 2008 3:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What in h..., oops! What does "In God We Trust" mean? We trust whose God to do what? Do we trust God to answer our prayers? Do we trust God to deliver us from evil? Do we have reason to trust God to do what we want God to do? There is good reason to believe that when God gave man the right to choose, free will, the agendas of God and man began to separate and that they have been growing further apart at an even faster rate than the wealth of the rich and every one else under the Republican Party and their notorious Presidents.

Can we trust God to restore the value of our coins and the costs of necessities back to where they were before Bush took over?

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Well, al least they didn't get their 1st choice!
Posted by: CuracyPlot on Feb 2, 2008 3:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"What Would Jesus Buy?"

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cynical sue
Posted by: maandI on Feb 2, 2008 3:29 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If only, is all I can say on this subject. If only people had trust and if only they had
somewhere that they could put it that would not betray them ultimately. I feel sad when I see all the rallies that are being held now for the political candidates. These poor souls have placed their trust in snake oil salesmen .It is misplaced,to be sure.They promise anything and everything
and every 4 years I see we still have No
acceptable and affordable heathcare,the lobbys are still writing their own legislation and we still
think we live in a democracy,not the hyocracy
that I believed we have had since I was old enough
to study history.I am not too religious,but I would
rather trust in a God than just waste my trust
on those who say"trust me".Maybe saying "In God
We Trust" is a good thing and belongs where the
Christian Right says it does.

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» RE: cynical sue Posted by: fork
If God Was Really On America's Side
Posted by: left_libertarian on Feb 2, 2008 4:25 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Bush and Cheney wouldn't be in charge.

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No problem
Posted by: aahpat on Feb 2, 2008 5:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Simply scratch off the 'G" in god with a nail file.

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Necessary Illusions
Posted by: Dboy on Feb 2, 2008 8:57 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are some GREAT books and articles out there that explain what this country is up to. WHY religion is pushed by government (it's a necessary illusion that binds this diverse country together), WHY the US Govt is killing people all over this planet (wars give us meaning),WHY it picks the countries it picks to invade and terrorize. This GOD on the currency issue needs to be understood and argued about at a much higher level of understanding if we are to deal with it. Part of the problem is that we are still in a very primitive state of evolution, and require Gods to protect us from this cold universe. But Gods are also very useful to governments. Is christianity and it's God designed as a democracy? NO. Well if democracy is so great then why doesn't God believe in it? The christian religion and it's hierarchy us the subliminal message that a top-down hierarchy is the superior design. So of COURSE this government puts GOD on the currency. If I were a power-hungry elitist wanting a tool to better pacify a population, I'd use faith-based initiatives, missionaries (especially in foreign countries where they can do alot of damage the native culture), and God on the currency. Why not?

Restating the above, in order to come to grips with the real issues we have to have a sharper understanding of what is really going on.

Dboy

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» RE: Necessary Illusions Posted by: Lector
seeking libertarian critical opinion. . .
Posted by: Lauren on Feb 3, 2008 3:53 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What do Libertarians think of Green politics?

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No one ever has liked dollar coins
Posted by: PaulK on Feb 3, 2008 2:51 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Remember the Susan B dollar that kept getting confused with the quarter, and the Sacajawaia dollar? Except for post office and subway machines that forced you to take them as real currency (which I religiously avoided), nobody accepted them.

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The Christian wrong.
Posted by: osd on Feb 3, 2008 4:01 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
They just ain't going to be happy till were all goose stepping to there idea of what Religion is. Wish they'd just go meet there maker if there in that big of a hurry. Cut your throat and make the trip but leave the rest of us alone. George Carlin was right, the 11th commandment should have been " Thy shall keep thy religion to thy self."

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F16
Posted by: Melvin on Feb 3, 2008 8:45 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Perhaps they should put a cross on one side of the coin & an F16 on the other!

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Symbolism
Posted by: jc1234 on Feb 4, 2008 8:10 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
was and is very important to fascists. Willful ignorance helps fascism alot too

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Deb
Posted by: debmcd on Feb 4, 2008 11:03 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm sick to death of the religious self righteousness of some of our elected officials. Why if we're a "Christian" nation do these people need contstent reminding. Instead of placing reminders every where it might be nice if they actually cared what the words really mean. They don't.

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» RE: Deb Posted by: Longdream
When fascism comes to America...
Posted by: letusratiocinate on Feb 4, 2008 12:48 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." -- Sinclair Lewis, 1935

Or perhaps just rabidly insisting on slogans on coins in place of anything substantive.

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Other than saving billions of lives and made our lives mindnumbingly easy...
Posted by: Tatarize on Feb 4, 2008 11:27 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What has evidenced based medicine/technology/science/understanding ever done for US? If we based our actions on evidence we wouldn't have gone into Iraq. If we didn't go into Iraq the democrats wouldn't be sweeping into power and taking over a horrifically broken government.

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Barbara1957
Posted by: Barbara1957 on Feb 5, 2008 9:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I, for one, would like to see "In God We Trust" removed from our currency. Our national motto should be changed to something more appropriate and inclusive. This country is made up of people who hold many different religious beliefs (or none at all). America is about 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'

My suggestion is "Life, Liberty, Happiness."
If that's too long... "Freedom First!"

From the article:

"I certainly can't imagine growing up in a country and under a government that is atheistic and denies the existence and dependence upon God," said Dave Stotts, who hosts a program for Focus on the Family called "Drive Thru History."

To remove "In God We Trust" is not a denial of God. However, the phrase is an endorsement of a particular God which goes against the separation of church and state. We live in a secular society and 'secular' DOES NOT mean 'atheistic'.

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» Or, another possibility... Posted by: Barbara1957
Astrotheological Coins
Posted by: joebird on Feb 5, 2008 11:32 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since Christianity is based on astrotheology, they may as well stamp in an image of sun too.

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Y'know--
Posted by: Longdream on Feb 6, 2008 1:58 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I wouldn't care if they wrote "Jesus Saves" all over it, if they would then see to it that enough of the stuff got to the people who really need it.

Come to think of it, "Jesus Saves" money would probably fly back into the treasury if you tried to fund a war with it.

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Big surprise
Posted by: YogiBear on Feb 7, 2008 1:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That our country's "leaders" would rather put their trust in God than put their faith in their own ability to fix their country is no surprise here. No wonder things are a mess.

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They just don't get it...
Posted by: almightyzeus on Feb 8, 2008 4:32 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The absolutely stunning thing about these right-wing supposedly Christian nutters is that they so transparently fail to understand anything about their 'Savior's' teaching. Ivan Illich understood this hypocrisy decades ago:

"According to Mark 12:13 there was a group of Herodians who wanted to catch Him in His own words. They ask 'Must we pay tribute to Caesar?' You know His answer: 'Give me a coin – tell me whose profile is on it!.' Of course they answer 'Caesar's.'

"A Roman coin was no impersonal silver dollar; there was none of that "trust in God" or adornment with a presidential portrait. A denarius was a piece of precious metal branded, as it were, like a heifer, with the sign of the personal owner. Not the Treasury, but Caesar coins and owns the currency. Only if this characteristic of Roman currency is understood, one grasps the analogy between the answer to the devil who tempted Him with power and to the Herodians who tempt Him with money. His response is clear: abandon all that which has been branded by Caesar.

"The message is so simple: Jesus jokes about Caesar. He shrugs off his control. And not only at that one instance…"

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