Many may recall that the U. S. Treasury stamped "In God We Trust" on the edge, rather than the face, of the recently released dollar presidential coins. I recall thinking this was an effort to push God right off the coin by shoving the motto to the edge before dropping it off. After so much propaganda by secularists claiming the Founding Fathers desired to create a religious neutral government, it appeared yet another inch was being yielded to a vocal minority. It is a historical fact that the Founding Fathers desired to create a government that did not interfere in church government, but they in no way sought to remove Christianity from the national government. One wonders what the Press would say if they were treated the same way the secularists desire to have religion treated? The same Bill of Right gives speech, the press, and religion free exercise!

The exact source of the phrase "In God We Trust" is generally believed to have originated from the fourth stanza of the poem upon which our national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" is based. The motto "In God We Trust" was officially adopted as our national motto in 1956, although it first appeared on U. S. currency by act of Congress in 1864 on a two-cent coin. In 1907 the slogan was removed from the gold Double Eagle coin. A point of intrigue is that Theodore Roosevelt opposed having "In God We Trust" on U. S. currency, but the reason does not fit the secularist motivation. The secularists believe having God in government harms the government. What Theodore Roosevelt felt, as do some other theists, was using God's name on the symbol of money was irreverent to God, not the nation. In a letter to William Boldly on November 11, 1907, President Roosevelt wrote: "My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege ..." The public outcry was so great that an Act of Congress in 1908 restored it. Apparently the outcry was effective since all U. S. coins have included this motto since 1938. The slogan did not appear on paper money until 1957.

Did you notice what was the driving force in having "In God We Trust" on our currency? The public outcry! Sometimes things are discouraging, but that is the time to rise up and be heard. We are blessed to live in a country where we can tell our elected officials exactly what is on our minds. Time and time again it has been demonstrated that when "We the People" speak out strongly, the government responds. It reminds me of the maxim "All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Maybe you think, "It is hopeless. We live in a far more dark time than in days of old." Wake up! With the Internet, you can go to www.senate.gov, www.house.gov, and www.whitehouse.gov and type an Email message directly to your Representative, Senator, President, and Vice President for free. Sure, many of us do not like to get involved in politics; however, rest assured that if we do not speak out for the morals our country should have, the atheists will - but they will not be the morals of the Bible.

Can we make a difference? Yes. In fact, Senators Brownback (KS) and Byrd (WV) have introduced S.2417 which seeks to require "In God We Trust" to appear on the face of $1 presidential coins. Why was this legislation introduced? It was because concerned religious citizens spoke out. Why not write your Senator, Representative, and President urging their support? God has blessed us with living in a free nation. May we do all that we can to work while it is yet day to keep the nation free and spread the gospel. - 29 Flora Dr., Bedford, OH 44146. drkenney@email.com

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