The West Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that requires the display of our national motto, “In God We Trust,” in public schools. The bill passed the Senate 31-1 with two absent and I will make the bold prediction that it will pass the House if it comes up for a final vote!
I mean, voting for God, especially in a deeply religious state like West Virginia, is usually a safe bet. It ranks right up there with resolutions supporting motherhood and apple pie, which are likely to be introduced next session.
Before I get any deeper into this, let me say that I believe in God and pray regularly, although my lack of church attendance suggests that I have some work to do on that front. But I do think a little history is worth noting on this issue.
The Founders wanted a national seal and motto. In an early sign of federal government intransigence, it took our politicians six years to agree on the design of the Great Seal with the Latin “E Pluribus Unum” on one side, “from many, one.”
That stood for a long time as our unofficial motto, and it was a good one. Here is what the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives says about it:
“When deciding to fight for our freedom, the colonists decided that they would be more powerful if all of the colonies fought together. Out of 13 colonies came one nation. Out of our 50 states comes one nation. The motto describes our history and our belief that we are a nation that should work together as one!”
But during the Civil War, Union leaders followed the recommendation of Rev. M.R. Watkinson to put “In God We Trust” on money (one-cent and two-cent coins initially) as a reminder that God was on the side of the righteous North. I suspect the Confederates also thought God was on their side, but it didn’t work out as well for them.
It wasn’t until 1956 during the Cold War when the phrase became the country’s official motto. Congress approved the joint resolution as a statement of the country’s faith against the Godless communists.
Since then, at least 21 states have passed laws either requiring or allowing “In God We Trust” to be displayed in public buildings, often in schools. And, yes, those displays are allowed, despite the best efforts of the ACLU. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the phrase does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor called the motto “ceremonial deism” that has more to do with patriotism than the Christian religion.
If the bill passes, I doubt it will make much difference one way or another. As they say, there are no atheists in a foxhole, so I suspect the otherwise agnostic tenth graders in Ms. Johnson’s class will continue asking for divine intervention as they have always done before the big test whether they read the motto or not.
If we really wanted the motto to have an impact, it should read, “In God We Trust, But Do Your Homework.” But that would clearly have a religious message and the ACLU would finally have a good case.
Just for the record, the United States does not have the market cornered on trusting the Divine. For example, “In God We Trust” is also the national motto of Nicaragua. Just sayin’…
I remain partial to E Pluribus Unum as our national motto. It came from our country’s Founders, and it states simply, but profoundly, the idea of disparate regions and peoples coming together as one United States with shared principles of democracy that changed the history of the world.
That is the uniquely American story that West Virginia school children will learn… God willing.