remove phrases "Under God," "In God We Trust"

[newagelink]

Why do we bother including the phrase "Under God" in our pledge of allegiance, and "In God We Trust" to our money? We added these phrases during the Cold War only to further distance ourselves from the godless communists, during a time when more than half of those calling themselves Christians were unable to name one of the four Gospels.

It seems to

Comments

[capnstamey]

The reason we have "under God" and "In God We Trust" on our money is techincally because of the Cold War, but it has its roots in the Founding Fathers' Deism, which, though not fundamental Christianity, is still a belief in the God of the Bible. We are endowed by our Creator, not "a" creator, Our Creator. Capital "C." It's not mere personification of an ideal; it's a fact, according to them

[seiberwing]

Let's take a quick jaunt to Wikipedia, shall we?

Deism is a religious philosophy and movement that derives the existence and nature of God from reason and personal experience. (The mention of God in this article is meant more as a Creator than as the Abrahamic God) This is in contrast to fideism which is found in many forms of Christianity.[1] Islamic and Judaic teachings hold that religion relies on revelation in sacred scriptures or the testimony of other people as well as reasoning.

The Founding Fathers weren't Christians (in fact, I believe Thomas Paine was rather forcefully against the Christian god), although if they were it wouldn't make a lick of difference.

"Separation of church and state" is NOT the same as "Congress chall make no laws respecting the establishment of religion." Congess won't establish a church-- what does that have to do with banning all forms of Christian religion from everywhere but a church? But a lot of people seem to think they mean the same thing. I don't really see the connection.Church and other

[capnstamey]

I have no quarrel with you. I am free to believe as I choose. (Except if I'm a Christian, right? In which case I'd better shut up!)

I don't even know you.

[seiberwing]

...yes, and? You made a point, I am rebutting it. What's the point in a belief if you can't back it up?

?(Except if I'm a Christian, right? In which case I'd better shut up!)

Say whatnow?

[newagelink]

I am free to believe as I choose. (Except if I'm a Christian, right? In which case I'd better shut up!)

What do you mean by that? D'you believe Christians suffer some special persecution that those of other religions don't? (If so, why?)

Interesting comment about the founders of our country being Deists. But isn't it wrong to try to force someone to believe in a god? (It also tends to have the opposite effect.) Our money says: "In God We Trust" = "In God United States Citizens Trust" = "If you are a U.S. citizen, then you are a Deist." Clearly that's not true; not every U.S. citizen is a deist. So why are we letting our money lie?

Also, http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=pledge - a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.

You are making a promise about the future. Making it once is sufficient; simply not renewing the promise doesn't make it go away.