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Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) thinks it should be and sponsored a resolution reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States.
As the House of Representatives prepared to vote yesterday, he reminded his colleagues that the new Capitol Visitor Center had been "sanitized" with all references to "trusting in God" being eliminated. Only when members of Congress intervened were the deliberate omissions corrected.
He also reminded his colleagues that President Obama, in his speech to the Muslim world last November, had told the Muslim world that the US motto was "E Pluribus Unum". While the Latin message---"from many, one", probably complemented the President's speech to the Muslims, that message is not the motto of the US.
In fact, Forbes said that uncorrected comment is still on the White House website.
President Obama has often compared himself to Abraham Lincoln. A review of the history of Lincoln's time could be helpful.
"In God We Trust" first appeared on US coins during the Civil War in 1864.
It officially became the national motto in 1956, appearing on paper currency the following year.
The vote was taken yesterday afternoon. What was the count? Who voted against it? What did Rep. Forbes tell the other lawmakers after they voted and what did those who voted against it have to say?
CNS News reported late yesterday that the vote was 396 in favor, 9 opposed.
Following the vote, Forbes said, "Today, as in other times of division and difficulty in our nation's history, the House of Representatives again reaffirmed 'In God We Trust' as our official motto and in so doing, provided clarity amidst a cloud of confusion about our nation's spiritual heritage and offered inspiration to an American people that face challenges of historic proportion."
He also said this vote supports and encourages public display in all public buildings, public schools and government institutions.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), one of the 8 Democrats opposing the resolution, defined the secular progressive movement and their obsession to strip God from the heart of this country with his comments.
He called the resolution, "A meaningless distraction from the nation's real problems."
He also said, "No body is threatening the national motto."
Really? The real problem America is facing today is the loss of moral direction. Our problem is spiritual, not political. Or even primarily fiscal. If we could get our beliefs right and our trust in God right, America will truly be blessed. And the elite secularists would likely want to claim the success.
And some feel the President, in his comments to the Muslim world, may have been more calculated than mistaken. If that is true, I would suggest that the motto may well be threatened.
Other Democrats voting against the resolution included Reps. Gary Ackerman (N.Y.), Michael Honda (Calif.), Emanuel Cleaver (Mo.), Judy Chu (Calif.), Fortney Stark (Calif.), Robert Scott (Va.), and Henry Johnson (Ga.).
Republican Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.) also voted no: "Displaying "In God We Trust" on public property is appropriate in some circumstances," Amash said on his Facebook page. But, he added, "There is no need to push for the phrase to be on all federal, state, and local buildings."
That is certainly a different view than our Founding Fathers held.
And certainly different than President Ronald Reagan held.
He said, regarding the Pledge of Allegiance, "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
To many Americans put their trust in a man from no where advocating "hope" and "change".
America's future is inseparably linked to our spiritual heritage. May God give us leadership with clarity of where we have come from, so we can have a sense of direction for the future.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.
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