Omar Bennett
In God We Trust is the official motto of the United States, appearing on currency and in public buildings, schools, and government institutions. The phrase was adopted by Congress in 1956, though it first appeared on coins during the Civil War. The constitutionality of the motto has been challenged, with opponents arguing that it violates the secular character of the nation and endorses religion. However, federal courts have consistently upheld its use, stating that it does not violate the First Amendment or amount to compelled speech. Supporters argue that the phrase is a form of ceremonial deism and that removing it would sever ties to history. The debate surrounding In God We Trust highlights the ongoing tension between religious expression and the separation of church and state in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official motto of the United States of America | Official motto of the United States of America |
| Year adopted as official motto | 1956 |
| Previous motto | E pluribus unum ("Out of many, one") |
| First appearance on currency | 1864 |
| Year placed on all currency | 1955 |
| Constitutionality | Does not violate the First Amendment; does not amount to compelled speech; does not violate the Free Exercise Clause; does not infringe on a person's rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act |
| Judicial interpretation | Accommodationism |
| Supporters | Conservative organizations and lawmakers, religious minorities |
| Opponents | Atheists, children of atheists, those who believe it violates the secular character of the United States |
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What You'll Learn
- In God We Trust is the official motto of the United States
- The motto's constitutionality has been challenged in court
- The Supreme Court has upheld its usage as 'ceremonial deism'
- The motto's religious nature has been criticised as excluding non-religious minorities
- The motto first appeared on American currency in 1864
In God We Trust is the official motto of the United States
"In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States. The phrase was adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956, replacing the de facto motto "E pluribus unum" ("Out of Many, One"). The origins of "In God We Trust" as a political motto can be traced back to the American Civil War, when Union supporters wanted to emphasise their attachment to God and boost morale. The phrase first appeared on coins during this time, in 1864, and it has since been included on all currency.
The constitutionality of "In God We Trust" has been a subject of debate. Opponents argue that the motto violates the secular character of the United States and predefines the type and number of gods. However, federal courts have consistently upheld its constitutionality, citing that it does not endorse a specific religion or amount to compelled speech. The Supreme Court has also recognised the nation's "institutions presuppose a Supreme Being", and that government recognition of God does not establish a state religion. The concept of ceremonial deism further supports the argument that religious references can become secular and historical through customary usage.
Despite court rulings, some individuals still argue that the motto is problematic and unfair to religious minorities. They suggest alternative historical phrases, such as "E Pluribus Unum", that are more inclusive and unifying. The debate surrounding "In God We Trust" highlights the ongoing discussion between the separation of church and state and the historical and cultural context of religious references in the United States.
The official motto has been the subject of various lawsuits and challenges. For example, the Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a federal lawsuit against the inclusion of the motto on coinage, but their challenge was rejected by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In another instance, twenty-seven atheists and two organisations sued, claiming that the motto violated the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. However, a federal appeals court ruled that the motto did not violate the Establishment Clause or infringe on religious rights.
"In God We Trust" continues to be displayed on U.S. currency and encouraged in public buildings, public schools, and government institutions. Its supporters argue that it is a part of the nation's heritage and that the Founders and Presidents of the country have venerated this principle on a bipartisan basis.
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The motto's constitutionality has been challenged in court
"In God We Trust" has been the official motto of the United States of America since 1956. The motto has faced criticism and challenges in court due to its religious implications, particularly regarding the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The phrase first appeared on American currency in 1864, and its inclusion has been the subject of several lawsuits.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation, for example, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the inclusion of the motto on coinage, arguing that it violated the Establishment Clause and infringed on religious freedom. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this challenge in Newdow v. Peterson (2014), ruling that the laws had a secular purpose and did not advance or inhibit religion. Additionally, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that the motto does not violate the First Amendment's protection from government endorsement of religion or an individual's rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
In another case, Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004), Justice O'Connor explained in her concurring opinion that removing references to God in the national motto would "sever ties to history that sustains this Nation." She concluded that the government could acknowledge or refer to the divine without offending the Constitution and that history, character, and context prevent such references from being constitutional violations. Similarly, in Lambeth v. Board of Commissioners of Davidson County (M.D.N.C. 2004), a federal district court in North Carolina determined that the inscription "In God We Trust" on a government building did not violate the separation of church and state.
The concept of ceremonial deism has been used to justify the motto's constitutionality. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and others have argued that the phrase has transformed into something historical and representational rather than a direct religious endorsement. However, opponents argue that the motto violates the secular character of the nation and predefines the type and number of gods, which should be left open to interpretation.
The constitutionality debate surrounding "In God We Trust" continues, with some calling for its removal from currency and government buildings, while others lobby for its further adoption, grounded in the traditional invocations of God that they believe express the will of the nation's founders.
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The Supreme Court has upheld its usage as 'ceremonial deism'
The phrase "In God We Trust" has been the official motto of the United States of America since 1956. The origins of this motto lie in the American Civil War, when Union supporters wanted to emphasize their attachment to God and boost morale. The phrase first appeared on coins during this time, and President Eisenhower, a lifelong Christian, signed it into law.
The constitutionality of the phrase has been repeatedly challenged in court, with opponents arguing that it violates the secular character of the United States and the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. However, the Supreme Court has consistently upheld its usage, citing the notion of ceremonial deism.
Ceremonial deism is a legal term used in the United States to describe governmental religious references and practices that have become secular due to long and customary usage. In other words, through repetitive use in a ceremonial context, the phrase "In God We Trust" has lost its original religious connotation and is now considered merely historical and representative of something other than its religious interpretation.
The Supreme Court first used the term "ceremonial deism" in Justice Brennan's dissenting opinion in Lynch v. Donnelly (1984). In this case, Justice Brennan defined ceremonial deism as religious references that, through their repetitious and customary usage, have become secular and are thus constitutional. The Supreme Court has also cited Zorach v. Clauson (1952), where it was written that the nation's "institutions presuppose a Supreme Being" and that government recognition of God does not constitute the establishment of a state church as the U.S. Constitution's authors intended to prohibit.
While the Supreme Court has upheld the usage of "In God We Trust" as an example of ceremonial deism, it is important to note that this interpretation is not universally accepted. Some critics argue that the term ceremonial deism is inaccurate and dangerous, as it downplays the religious nature of the phrase. Additionally, there have been numerous lawsuits filed by groups and individuals who object to the use of the phrase on the grounds that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
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The motto's religious nature has been criticised as excluding non-religious minorities
"In God We Trust" has been the official motto of the United States of America since 1956. It was adopted by the U.S. Congress, replacing "E pluribus unum" ("Out of many, one"), which had been the de facto motto since the initial design of the Great Seal of the United States. The phrase "In God We Trust" first appeared on coins during the Civil War, due to public urgence during a time of heightened emotions and religion.
The religious nature of the motto has been a source of criticism and controversy, with some arguing that it excludes non-religious minorities and violates the secular character of the United States. Critics have pointed out that the motto predefines the type and number of gods, which goes against the beliefs of those who do not subscribe to a monotheistic religion. The phrase has also been criticised for violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which states that the government should not establish or favour any particular religion.
The debate around the motto's religious nature has sparked discussions about the place of civil religion in American culture, law, and politics. Some scholars, like sociologist Robert N. Bellah, have defined American civil religion as a well-institutionalized national faith that exists alongside and is differentiated from churches, providing a religious dimension to various aspects of American life, including politics.
While the motto's supporters argue that it expresses the will of the nation's founders, who believed in God, critics contend that the founding fathers intended to prohibit the establishment of a state church and uphold a separation between church and state. The courts have relied on the concept of ceremonial deism to uphold the constitutionality of the motto, stating that through repetitious and customary usage, the phrase has become secular and does not prefer one religious denomination over another.
Despite the court rulings, some continue to argue that the motto excludes non-religious minorities and is problematic in a nation with a diverse range of religious beliefs and an increasing number of those who identify as non-religious. The criticism and debate surrounding the motto highlight the ongoing discussions about the role of religion in American society and the need for inclusivity and respect for all beliefs.
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The motto first appeared on American currency in 1864
"In God We Trust" was first adopted by the U.S. Congress as the official motto of the United States in 1956. However, the phrase first appeared on American currency in 1864, during the American Civil War. The inclusion of the motto on currency was due to the public's urgency during a time of heightened emotions and religion. According to researchers, those exposed to war are more likely to be religious.
The phrase "In God We Trust" was not always the motto of the United States. From the initial design of the Great Seal of the United States, the de facto motto was "E pluribus unum," which translates to "Out of many, one." The phrase "In God We Trust" has its origins in the Civil War, where Union supporters wanted to emphasize their attachment to God and boost morale.
The 125th Pennsylvania Infantry for the Union Army assumed the motto "In God We Trust" in early August 1862. The phrase also gained significant traction in the South, with a Confederate bunting featuring the motto, attributed to the 37th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, dating back to late 1861 or early 1862. The exact date is uncertain.
The inclusion of the motto on currency has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it violates the secular character of the United States and predefines the type and number of gods. However, federal courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of the motto on currency, stating that it does not violate the Establishment Clause or infringe on religious freedom.
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that the motto does not violate the First Amendment's protection from government endorsement of religion. The court reasoned that the unobtrusive appearance of the motto on currency does not amount to coerced participation in a religious practice.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but it is the official motto of the United States and has been since 1956. It is also the motto of the US state of Florida and the nation of Nicaragua.
The phrase was first used on US currency in 1864, but it was placed on all currency in 1955. It was used by Union supporters during the Civil War to emphasise their attachment to God and to boost morale.
The constitutionality of the phrase has been upheld by the Supreme Court, which has stated that the nation's "institutions presuppose a Supreme Being". The courts rely on the notion of ""ceremonial deism", which means that the religious context has been exhausted and transformed into something historical and representative. However, opponents argue that the phrase violates the secular character of the United States and predefines the type and number of gods.
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