IN GOD WE TRUST
Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
War
is hell.
I’m
allowed to say that—even in a children’s devotion—because war is unspeakable
horror. Seeing fields littered with the bloodied
dead is an image that one never forgets.
It haunts one’s nightmares.
When
brother fights against brother, or son against father, war drives people to
God. God comforts. God can make sense of the senseless. God can mend broken bones and also make a
broken country whole again. In 1864—before
the end of United States’ Civil War—President Lincoln first stamped “In God We
Trust” on a coin.
Then,
in 1956, the phrase became a common mantra against “Godless Commies” during the
Russian ‘Red Scare.’ “In God We Trust”
starkly contrasted the bad guys from the good guys. The phase was added to paper currency. “Under God” was added to The Pledge of
Allegiance.
In
1970, a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote, “It is quite
obvious that the national motto and the slogan on coinage and currency ‘In God
We Trust’ has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion. Its use is of a patriotic or ceremonial
character.” This court case decision is Aronow v. United States.
Others argue that adding the phrase
to currency elevates it to national status, and has everything to do with religion!
The U.S. Treasury defended the slogan by saying the motto was stamped on
US coins mainly because of religious fervor during the Civil War.
Today,
this slogan has gone viral. People argue
that this motto has no place in the USA.
“Separation of Church and State” activists’ demand eliminating the
phrase. Does USA believe that money is
our God?
Putting
this decal on police cars is deliberate.
Law enforcement agencies across the country know that after aggressive
policing, officers living through firefights agree that they truly trusted in
God.
Today’s
patrol cars’ insignia is definitely inspired by religion!
Of
course “In God We Trust” has always been
about faith. But the legal decision on Aronow supplied the court precedence to
say otherwise. For 45 years of debate,
U.S. courts cite that decision as ‘not religious’ with authority. No judge will consider current cases
otherwise.
Challenges
to Government agencies that claim they’re honoring our country with this motto are
rare.
Take Home Nugget
What
a shame for Christians who feel that we’re always defending our faith to others
in our own country. No wonder citizens
of USA are confused about religious freedom and government. Courts will always strike down Scriptural
phrases in government. But “In God We
Trust” seems to be immune to attack.
I’ll trust in God, no matter
what.
Adapted from “When Police
Embrace ‘In God We Trust’” from USA Today. Paulson,
Ken. Page 7A. Texas.
October 21, 2015.
J.D. Griffith
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