Following in the footsteps of more than half of Orange County cities, Irvine on Tuesday is set to consider displaying the phrase “In God We Trust” in its council chambers.

Doing so would be appropriate because Irvine is home to “more than 80 institutions of faith,” said Mayor Steven Choi, who requested the discussion.

Approval would make Irvine the 20th city in Orange County to display the phrase at City Hall.

He suggested putting the text near the city seal, or fashioning a graphic that would combine the U.S. flag and the text, or the city seal and the text.

An organization headed by a Bakersfield councilwoman is behind the push to get elected officials to display the phrase. In 2002, Jacquie Sullivan led the Bakersfield City Council in approving the display of the motto in that city’s council chambers.

Five years later, Westminster was the first Orange County city to follow suit, according to Sullivan’s organization, In God We Trust – America.

Since then, 18 other cities in Orange County have done the same.

Some of the votes have spurred controversy. In 2011 in Lake Forest, for example, the city’s 3-2 decision to become the 16th in Orange County to display the motto followed contentious discussion.

Critics say the motto excludes those who don’t believe in God, and intertwines the workings of church and state.

Those in favor say the phrase honors the country’s history and values. Proponents point to Congress’ 2011 reaffirmation of the phase as the nation’s motto and encouragement to include the phrase inside public schools and government buildings.

The public portion of Irvine’s council meeting begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday at 1 Civic Center Plaza. The item is last on the agenda.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2221 or sdecrescenzo@ocregister.com