in god we trust dollar

"In God We Trust" first appeared on paper money in 1957. Photographed here, a 2009 $100 bill.

( Ervins Strauhmanis/Creative Commons)

Good afternoon, readers. I published an article this morning exploring the history of the motto "In God We Trust" and why there's been a recent surge of political interest.

I had a lot of great conversations during the reporting process, but, of course, not everything could fit in the story. Here are some interesting quotes from key sources that didn't make the final cut.

Martin Marty, emeritus professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, said the motto asks non-Christians to be hypocritical and isn't a beneficial way for Christians to share their faith.



"I love a religious profession," he said. "But they're not speaking for me, they're speaking to me. It would be hypocritical for me to agree to all the gods that are out there.

"I love God, I trust in God, I'm an ordained minister, I preach sermons and I've taught children. If you ask me, I'll testify, but not in any way that uses the state."

Marty said he was insulted by proponent's argument that "God" is an all-inclusive, generic term. Steven Green, head of the Center for Religion, Law and Democracy at Willamette University, agreed.

"If you are a real believer, God is the creator the redeemer, the one who makes things holy," Marty said. "I'm going to reduce him to be a generic term? Doesn't work."

"I think it's very embarrassing for the people making those claims," Green said. "Because they are people of faith, to say this isn't religious is really inconsistent."

Marty said he doesn't think supporters of "In God We Trust" are following Jesus's instructions.

"Jesus is very explicit: when you pray, go in to your private room and pray in secret. Beware of practicing your piousy before men.

"When you try to brag about it and impose it on others, that's where the trouble comes in," Marty said. "As a principle, I think we're cheapening things. We're cheapening God and the integrity of the faith of people who really do believe."

Green said many conservative Christians feel oppressed, even though the majority of Americans identify as Christian.

"We live in the Pacific Northwest, where the 'nones' and secularism reigns, but when you travel to different parts of the country you see how prevalent religion is," he said. "It's somewhat of a misnomer. There are enough evidences of government hostility, media hostility and Hollywood hostility to fuel this movement. It's attractive to religious conservatives, this narrative that they have become oppressed.

"Some of this is probably in reaction to Obama, because there has been this perceived notion that he is hostile to religion.

"You've certainly seen a more aggressive form of free thought and atheism in America in the last decade or so. Just go to Amazon and you can see all the books written about atheism as an alternative, where that used to be something people didn't talk about."

David Madore, chairmen of the Clark County Board of Councilors, said regardless of how people feel about the motto, local communities should embrace their national identity.

"We don't stand alone as a silo community. We are part of a nation, and that nation has a motto.

"It would be improper and unwise to deny or shun it. It is who we are and it is our roots.

"It's not to Allah and its not to gods, it's not to anyone else. It is what it is and we are not here to change it. We are here to recognize it and cherish and value and respect our heritage."

Jacquie Sullivan, head of the nonprofit In God We Trust ~ America, Inc., said the country would be better off if Americans "got back to God."

"The breakdown of the family is our biggest problem. I think it's a parent's responsibility to take their children to church and read the Bible in the home.

"The family that stays together prays together."

Is the motto "In God We Trust" inclusive of all Americans? Vote in our poll.

-- Melissa Binder

mbinder@oregonian.com

503-294-7656

@binderpdx