“In God We Trust” should be replaced with the original motto of the U.S. – “E Pluribus Unum” – Out of many, one.

“E Pluribus Unum” is a latin phrase meaning “One from many,” also translated as “Out of many, one” or “One out of many.”

E Pluribus Unum was considered the de facto motto of the United States until 1956 when the United States Congress passed an act (H. J. Resolution 396), adopting “In God We Trust” as the official motto.

The change to “In God We Trust” was motivated by fear of the Soviet Union and “godless communism” during the height of the Cold War and the “red scare” of the 1950’s. The change was a mistake that violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and betrayed the secular values upon which the U.S. was founded as well as the explicit intentions of the founding fathers.

In fact, “E Pluribus Unum” was the original motto proposed and established by founding fathers John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776.

The E Pluribus Unum Project explains:

“E Pluribus Unum” was the original motto proposed for the first Great Seal of the United States by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. A latin phrase meaning “One from many,” the phrase offered a strong statement of the American determination to form a single nation from a collection of states. Over the years, “E Pluribus Unum” has also served as a reminder of America’s bold attempt to make one unified nation of people from many different backgrounds and beliefs. The challenge of seeking unity while respecting diversity has played a critical role in shaping our history, our literature, and our national character.

Many are unhappy with the unconstitutional and divisive “In God We Trust” motto, and many are working to change it back to the original “E Pluribus Unum.”

Currently there is a petition at whitehouse.gov asking the Obama administration to change the official United States Motto from “In God We Trust” to “E Pluribus Unum.” The petition reads, in part:

E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. Out of the many unique people who all have different beliefs and different skin tones and come from different backgrounds, we are one. That is what makes our country what it is: a melting pot…

In addition to the petition, there is also a new federal lawsuit that argues “In God We Trust” should be removed from U.S. currency because it violates the separation of church and state guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The 112-page lawsuit, filed by Sacramento atheist-activist Michael Newdow, contends that having the phrase on paper money and coins violates the constitutional rights of those who do not believe in God, and discriminates against atheists, agnostics and others.

The lawsuit makes the novel claim that having the motto “In God We Trust” printed on U.S. currency violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.

Bottom line: “In God We Trust” is divisive and discriminatory; it does not belong on the nation’s currency, and should not be the national motto. Instead, the national motto should be returned to “E Pluribus Unum” out of respect for historical precedent, the founding fathers, and the secular values upon which this nation was founded.