We have previously discussed how leaders in both the United States and Europe have focused on atheists and secularists as one of the greatest threats facing the free world. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) seemed to take this to a new level in arguing this week that if the nation did not reaffirm “In God We Trust” as our national motto, we are inviting anarchy and accepting that we are nothing but “worm food.”
Of course, the motto has only been embraced since 1956 and we seemed to do pretty well through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Moreover, not having a motto based on the recognition of faith does not mean that we are a country of faithless citizens. Indeed, there are plenty deeply religious secularists.
However, Franks went to the floor to say “Is God God? Or is man God? In God do we trust, or in man do we trust?” Otherwise, he warned “we should just let anarchy prevail because, after all, we are just worm food. So indeed we have the time to reaffirm that God is God and in God do we trust.”
Of course, no one was asking to rescind the motto, but the legislative debate is part of the increasing faith-based politics that remains the rage this year.
Source: Washington Post
Wouldn’t you think that by reaffirming the bill to maintain “In God We Trust” as the national motto would coincide with them passing another bill prohibiting schools to teach kids that America is a “melting pot”? Even if you do “Trust in God” then at least have respect for those who do no believe in the same god as you, or in any god for that matter.
It’s a purposeful distraction meant to take our attention away from the important issues confronting this nation.
Whenever the politicians engage in this sort of public foolishness I become super alert to what other measures they are quietly pushing … or quietly refusing to push … like the Jobs bill.
Of course a Jobs bill might lead to an actual improvement in the economy which would strengthen the Democrats and further weaken the Republicans come election time so … what the hell, let’s put our efforts into a motto.
There’s a reason 82% of us disapprove of congress … and on that note I vote with Bob.
“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”
Elaine,
I agree it is something to be worried about. As you elaborated the other day, religion is being injected into the mercenary and armed forces of the US. Private religious institutions which are often discriminatory are given public money in various voucher programs. JT mentions European blasphemy laws, which are just unbelievable (pun intended!)
The problem is that politicians are not usually people of courage, not in the US nor abroad!
Voting for this waste of time was nothing but an exercise in reelection campaigning for quite a few.
Jill,
I agree that the politicians are pandering. I think there are lots of religious people who are genuine in their beliefs. I also believe there are many who are hypocrites. I’m thinking of the preachers who get rich off their flocks of followers. I’m thinking of the people who talk about “praising the lord”–but who would turn on a fellow man or woman who was experiencing tough times. Some of these same religious folks think they are the only ones who have faith in the “true” religion. They are pressuring politicians to inject their religious views into our government and laws. I find that something to be concerned about.
Elaine,
They did this for the same reason they just did it a few years back–pandering! In addition to pandering, it is possible that some of these politicians believe it is genuinely important. Many religious people are sincere in this belief. It becomes pandering because our Constitution means even sincere religious believers should stand for separation of church and state.
They don’t have the courage or innate understanding to stand up for our Constitution. Our politicians have shown this over and over again, with “in god we trust” being the least of these instances–ie: enabling torture along with other war and financial crimes!
“I may trust in God, but I sure as Hell don’t trust in Trent Franks to do anything that might advance this country.”
Now that’s hardly fair, raff.
Whether he will or not is a separate issue, but I can think of something Franks could do that would immediately advance the country.
Resign.
Jill, I said Vitter, Franks were the faces of the repub party. I should have written it better when I wrote “these folks”. I meant any who make these calls for this to be a “Christian nation” or that, essentially, we must all profess a belief in G-d whether we do or do not.
Sadly votes like what you cited tend to be more for political reason (what a surprise). Polls show more people support then don’t the idea of a G-d motto and belief. What the politicians do not bother to check is the postings and letters that seem to show the people who want their reps to vote yes tend to want this to be a nation of their G-d, their beliefs and their ‘values’. “the folks back home believe in G-d so this a vote that will not backfire on me.” the politician reasons.
Mr. Obama referred to the legislation you mentioned. I would venture to say he was referring to the legislation when he said G-d wants to see us help ourselves…” That does nor preclude his using it as a stepstone from his trust. If that was how he meant it it is just as bad as the other pols. He is trying to get the people who have believed the cry (and I am sorry but this is from repubs and tea party) that Obama and the dems are unpatriotic and unamerican. Sometimes you have to speak the language of the majority. (I was at a McCain rally where he spoke, I heard it form him and his supporters.)
Jill, Unfortunately that is where we are now. Bipartisanship seems to be a ship that has sunk. It is not only religion but our politics and way of governing by those who put party and ideology first that needs to be looked at “deeply and broadly”.
The religious right has hijacked many of the Congressional members and this ridiculous vote is just one more example. I may trust in God, but I sure as Hell don’t trust in Trent Franks to do anything that might advance this country.
Jill,
“Have you noticed that the truly important aspects of what is happening in the world are continually being reduced in the US to a red state/blue state ‘thought box’?”
Here’s what I’ve noticed: Politicians who would rather waste time on issues like this one rather than tackle the REAL problems that our country is faced with today.
That said, one should question who the driving force is behind all this talk of God and religion and atheism in politics.
*****
“Just to be sure there is no misunderstanding, the House voted 396 to 9 Wednesday to re-reaffirm the motto and encourage its display in all public schools and government buildings.”
Why do you think so many House members voted to “re-reaffirm” the In God We Trust motto?
carol,
I’d like to dispute your idea that this is a form of Republican/tea party crazies. Here’s the vote count and here’s some information on Mr. Obama’s speech concerning it: “You’ve had legislation reaffirming that ‘In God We Trust’ is our motto. That’s not putting people back to work,” Obama said. “I trust in God, “but God wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work.”…
Just to be sure there is no misunderstanding, the House voted 396 to 9 Wednesday to re-reaffirm the motto and encourage its display in all public schools and government buildings. One Republican (Justin Amash of Michigan) and eight Democrats voted nay.” (Washington Post)
Have you noticed that the truly important aspects of what is happening in the world are continually being reduced in the US to a red state/blue state “thought box”? Well, that isn’t even an accurate description of the US! Which god is Obama believing in and how does he know that god, ” wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work.” When did god tell him this, which god told him this, and how did god convey these words to him? Is Obama’s statement really more sane than Franks?
This problem transcends the US. It is international. Trying to put an important issue like separation of church and state into a little box labeled “political party” does a disservice to our understanding of the world. It shrinks our thinking into propagandistic jingos which support the party of our choice. Yet, thinking about god and religion is far more profound than any candidate’s jingo.
These are serious issues that need to be looked at deeply and broadly. Putting them in ready made and inaccurate “though boxes” does a disservice to us as citizens.
LarryB,
I like your way of thinking. However, I’d be happy if we simply abandoned the 1950’s theocratic jingoism of “In God We Trust” for the de facto motto that served us so well up to that point, “Out of many, one”, better known as “E Pluribus Unum”.
How many crazies does this congress embrace. Criminals like Vitter and nuts like this are the face of the republicans (and tea party). Seems to me these folks can;t hate Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, etc and call for a theocracy here. (His statement always begs the question: whose G-d? Mine is good, yours is bad.)
Larry,
PTL to what you wrote!
There are two telling aspects of Franks’ statement. 1. are we just worm food and 2. that there will be anarchy without his particular god being worshiped. Both show the fear based and inherent selfish nature of his belief.
The only reason he thinks god is necessary is because he is afraid that after he dies, nothing will happen–no pearly gates, no 79 virgins, no nothing. He also feels there’s only one reason to pretend to be “ethical”–so he can fool god into thinking he is a good person and thus, get into heaven. In short, this is a person whose “ethical reasoning” resides in his spinal cord.
I often hear believers claim you have to have god to be a good person. Obviously, facts do not bear this claim out. Further, if the only reason one will be a decent person in life is because of fear about what will happen to one in the next life–I would just be ashamed to admit that was my motivation!
Just one more example of Congress fiddling while Rome burns. I’d say Franks’s gray matter isn’t good for anything BUT worm food.
It seems obvious that no one’s god is particularly interested in our failing economy, out of control government spending, our war of the day, our civil liberties, etc. Maybe we should opt for “In the Constitution we Trust.” Neither Democrats or Republicans seem to remember the Constitution being part of their oath of office, leading to, “In the Two-Party System we Distrust.”
If we don’t embrace his god, life is not worth living. Those are the ones that really worry me.
The name of that god is Oilah Akbar, a god of lies, money, and war.