“In God we Trust” is a quote many people living in the United States are very familiar with. It is printed on dollar bills and coins. Even the Pledge of Allegiance says, “one nation under God.”
In 1861, the appeal to add that quote to a two cent coin was made. By 1938, “In God We Trust” was added to all coins produced in the U.S and has been that way ever since.
According to the Pew Research Center, there has been a decline in the number of Christians over the years.
According to the Religious Landscape Study conducted in 2014, 85 percent of the generation born between 1928 and 1945 in the survey said they are Christian.
However, over the years America has become more religiously diverse with only 56 percent of the younger millennials being Christian. 36 percent of millennials say they are unaffiliated with any Christian religion.
Does this mean In God We Trust no longer has a place on money?
Is it really fair to say that the population of the United States has faith in God?
God should have no place on American money. Historically, America has always been known as a melting pot.
Many immigrants came onto American soil with different beliefs and traditions.
There are more people than ever who don’t believe in God than any other time in United States history.
Today, since society has become more liberal, more people have been more vocal about separating church and state.
In a 2011 survey called the State of the First Amendment Survey, 67 percent of the people surveyed said they agreed with the separation of church and state. “In God We Trust” today no longer sums up how everyone feels.
All my life, I have seen how big of a role the term God has been used in society, yet, myself and many other people I know have become estranged to it and feel that these religious beliefs no longer serve us.
Growing up in a Catholic family, I have always felt the pressure of believing in God. But as I grew and developed, I realized Catholicism no longer summed up my beliefs and I left that faith as a lot of others have.
The term “In God We Trust” seemed like more of a command than a summary.
By saying “In God We Trust” it is stating there is no other way but God. It forces beliefs on people who do not share these beliefs.
Many people like to talk about unity and diversity, and what better way to do that than to use a more inclusive quote that everyone living in America can agree on? Religious diversity should be celebrated and cherished.
Americans should not feel that they have to trust in God to be a part of our nation.
America is constantly changing and growing and making many strides forward. Many laws and personal social justice achievements have been made since the quote was first minted on all the American coins in 1938. Instead of putting trust in God, let’s put our trust in America instead.
Katherine Glosser can be contacted at kglosser@kscequinox.com
