Cross posted from Gribbit’s Word

US District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. dismissed a lawsuit brought by activist and atheist Michael Newdow seeking to have the words “In God We Trust” removed from our money.

Newdow was suing on the grounds that the appearance of those words on our money constituted a violation of his 1st Amendment rights. The suit, which targeted Congress and other federal officials and claimed that the mere appearance of the words “In God We Trust” on the official currency of the nation, is an establishment of religion and violates the 1st Amendment’s establishment clause which requires a “separation of church and state” and “excludes people who do not believe in God”.

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HOGWASH! The words “separation of church and state” do not appear ANYWHERE in the Constitution. The term did not exist until President Thomas Jefferson sent a letter to the Danbury Baptists to assure them that the Constitution did forbid the establishment of a national religion. And the “symbolic wall” that he stated in his letter is the prohibition on Congress from passing legislation which would establish a religious theocracy.

This nation was founded by Christians seeking religious freedoms from the Church of England which had become extremely oppressive. So this notion that religion needs to be removed from our society negates everything that those who settled here for, that our founding fathers fought for, and most especially that our soldiers have died for. It is the ultimate betrayal of those who came before us. And it must end.

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Citing a 1970 9th Circuit decision which concluded that the words “In God We Trust” are a national motto and have “nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion,” Judge Damrell dismissed the case. Newdow now says that he will appeal the decision.

Newdow filed this suit 5 days after the United States Supreme Court rejected without comment a petition challenging the inscription of the words “In God We Trust” on a county government building in North Carolina. He also got a California state court to order the ending of the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools in California because of the words “Under God” which were added to the Pledge in 1954. A year later Congress enacted a law requiring US currency to carry the motto “In God We Trust”.

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It is about time that a judge in California grew a brain. This should be a non-issue. Newdow keeps filing these suits to force his religious beliefs on the rest of us. He dismisses the existence of GOD therefore what does the words “In God We Trust” actually mean to him? If he were secure in the fact that GOD doesn’t exist, the words would have no meaning. Is he threatened by a temptation to believe or what?

I am studying to become a Roman Catholic and am secure in the fact that the GOD that I worship is the one true GOD that he exists, sent His begotten Son to suffer on the cross for the forgiveness of all men’s sins, so I am not threatened by pagan religions or atheists. I am offended at the systematic removal of all references of GOD and other religious items and messages from the public forum. The Constitution guarantees that the right of “free exercise” of religion, and it is people like Newdow that are contributing to this removal and suppression of my “free exercise” rights.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. [emphasis mine]

Personally, I believe that all religious faiths have a place in American society just as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others to worship as they please. I believe that Merry Christmas has a place in schools because it has played a part in the culture of America since the founding of this nation. But I also believe that similar phrases in other religions should also be recognized and expressed. And if the Christian children have a question about a term that they don’t know, they should be instructed in the origins of those terms. Same with other religions when Merry Christmas is expressed.

When I was a young child, the main streets in America’s cities and towns were decorated for Christmas. Often times, stores would play recorded Christmas music that could be heard on the street. Back in those days, people used to wish other people “Merry Christmas” as they passed on the sidewalk. And the town square or central park had a nativity scene. Utility poles had wreaths on them and interesting window displays featuring colored lights and holiday decorations were seen on the streets. All this was made even more beautiful when a light snow coated the ground.

Memories like those make me wish for a return of those days. And that is the true shame. Today’s children are growing up without that experience. Instead of removing traditions like these because of the increase of minority religions in our communities, we should be adding their celebrations as a way to expand our culture.

If I had a Jewish neighbor who I considered a friend, I would recognize his religious customs because I am his friend. But in the same spirit, I would give him a Christmas gift with the hopes that he would enjoy the secular side of my religious beliefs. That is how this country has grown and developed a culture which is uniquely American. We should be inclusive not exclusive.

What I don’t understand is that there are an estimated 2.1 billion Christians (Catholics and Protestants combined), 1.3 billion Muslims, and 14 million Jews in the world. How can that many people be wrong? In comparaison, there are an estimated 1.1 billion Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheists in the world.

Of the 2.1 billion Christians, there are 1.1 billion Catholics (Roman and Eastern Rite combined), which leaves 1 billion Protestants in an estimated 36,000 Protestant denominations. How can that many people be wrong? Think about it.

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