by Kimberly Blaker

‘In God We Trust’ has found itself yet one more dwelling place, the United States Post Office. This is in spite of the fact that nearly 40 million Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, atheist, and other Americans do not have faith in either a deity, or at least the particular one known mainly to Christians and Jews, as ‘God.’

On November 13, the United States Postal Service (USPS) approved the design of a poster to be installed in its 38,000 buildings, displaying our altered national motto, ‘In God We Trust.’

The decision was made following an order for the removal of such posters from post offices in Montgomery County, Texas, that had been distributed to various public buildings by resident Frank Williamson.

The order for removal led to a mission by the USPS. It began researching the issue and learned that the House of Representatives had previously approved a resolution to work toward placing the controversial motto in every public building across America. This strengthened the cause and led to this latest encroachment.

Since the September 11 attacks, by religious extremists (of another faith), our original national motto, ‘E Pluribus Unum,’ meaning ‘Out of many, one,’ has become further diminished.

The United States’ original motto had been proposed by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, in their recommended design for the Great Seal of the United States. These founders recognized the inherent value of the diverse nature of our nation and of bringing together people of all different beliefs, cultures, and persuasions, to live together in harmony, as one.

Nonetheless, in 1886, an act was approved seriously eroding the wall of separation between church and state. It was to include ‘In God We Trust’ on our coinage. Then, in 1956, nearly two centuries after the United States’ founding, came a more damaging action. A resolution was passed to replace our once unifying motto, ‘E Pluribus Unum,’ with ‘In God We Trust.’

The 1950s was marked by a plethora of God language being added to various national documents. ‘So help me God’ was even added as part of the oath to office for federal judges and justices.

It has since been argued repeatedly, by judges favoring the maintenance of these religious declarations, that these phrases do not give an appearance of endorsing religion. Rather, say these supporters, they are viewed by most Americans as inconsequential.

Yet, a large minority insists that America was founded on Godly principles. And the argument of the day has become that the words ‘In God We Trust’ on our money is proof that this is so.

It’s an interesting paradox that this country’s right-wing calls so vehemently on Americans to stand together in this time of national crisis. Yet, it continues to pursue such a narrow vision in an effort to divide Christians, at least those of the ‘right’ kind, from the rest of the nations’ citizenry, by elevating its particular religious belief.

Americans around the country, including children, are being made to feel outsiders. Such is the case in New Boston, Michigan, as well as many other public schools, where ‘In God We Trust’ has been posted in offices and corridors.

Therefore, I propose a new national motto that more accurately depicts the division the religious right is imposing on our nation through its own disuniting motto—‘E Unum Pluribus.’

This seems most fitting, as the Christian right continues to impress that we are not one, but rather we are escalating into many, unable to unite, unless all hold the same myopic vision.

To the religious right, it is the ‘Godly’ versus the ‘Atheistic majority.’ This majority includes even liberal believers, who are considered by the religious right as heretics to God’s word.

Kimberly Blaker’s The Wall™ appears weekly. She is editor and coauthor of the The Fundamentals of Extremism: the Christian Right in America. Send your comments to Kimberly Blaker: TheWall@TheWall-OnChurchAndState.com  © 2002, Kimberly Blaker