March, 18 2011, 02:47pm EDT
'In God We Trust' Resolution Protested by Secular Coalition
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee today approved House Concurrent Resolution 13, which would unnecessarily reaffirm the divisive term "In God We Trust" as the nation's official motto and encourage its public display in all public buildings, public schools, and government institutions. The resolution will now be sent to the full House for a vote.
WASHINGTON
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee today approved House Concurrent Resolution 13, which would unnecessarily reaffirm the divisive term "In God We Trust" as the nation's official motto and encourage its public display in all public buildings, public schools, and government institutions. The resolution will now be sent to the full House for a vote.
The Secular Coalition for America, the leading national lobby for atheists, agnostics, humanists and other secular Americans, protested the committee's vote today as an encroachment on the separation of church and state, and an unnecessary rebuke to the millions of Americans whose personal beliefs do not entail the use of the word "god."
"This resolution is wholly inappropriate for a secular nation that claims to provide equality, liberty, and freedom for all, since it sends a message that the religious views of certain Americans stand superior to others," said SCA executive director Sean Faircloth. "The phrase 'In God We Trust' does not apply to the more than 16 percent of Americans who identify themselves as atheist, agnostic, nonreligious, or unaffiliated, and it does not apply to religious Americans who do not have Judeo-Christian beliefs. Branding our secular country with a religious motto only creates division among its citizens and erodes the wall of separation between church and state. Our secular government should neither impose a religious motto on its citizens nor give an official stamp of approval to a particular religious worldview."
SCA sent a detailed letter to members of the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 4 explaining its opposition to the resolution. The entire text of SCA's letter can be read here: https://www.secular.org/InGodWeTrustLetter
The Secular Coalition for America represents nine national coalition partners who share the view that a secular government offers the best guarantee for freedom of thought and belief for all Americans. It works to protect the civil rights of nontheistic Americans, and lobbies the U.S. Congress on issues of concern to its constituents. The Coalition's website iswww.secular.org.
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