US Mint Appeases Atheists

The mandatory “In God We Trust” that must appear on all United States currency has been excluded from the face of a new U.S. dollar in an effort to appease atheists who have legally fought to eliminate the word God from public life, including the Pledge of Allegiance.

The United States Mint claims that the new dollar coin will not feature the official “In God We Trust” motto in order to leave more room for portraits of former presidents and the Statue of Liberty. The new design can be viewed at the Mint’s web site.

A 1956 act of Congress made “In God We Trust” the country’s national motto and the most common place where that motto is observed is in U.S. currency. The law made the phrase mandatory on all coins and paper currency in the United States though its use dates back to the 1800s.

Treasury Department records indicate that the recognition of God in U.S. coinage dates back to 1861. By 1864 Congress authorized the appearance of “In God We Trust” on a two-cent coin. By 1908 the motto was mandatory on all coins on which it had previously appeared.

A few years ago the appearance of “In God We Trust” on U.S. money was unsuccessfully challenged in federal court by a variety of so-called civil rights groups. Evidently, they find it offensive that the word God is used publicly. The Iowa Voice suggests that those bothered by the country’s official motto should perhaps move to another country where the currency is less offensive.