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Plan to De-Godify Coins Foiled
We can all relax now. The first moves in a nefarious plan by atheists and secular humanists to de-Godify our coinage have been foiled by the quick action of Brother, I mean, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and President Bush. The U.S. mint is issuing a series of useless one dollar coins commemorating various past presidents. As part of the design the motto "In God We Trust" has been moved from the face of the coins to the rims. Over at the Conservative Voice website, Bonnie Alba ominously asked:
Is there a possible correlation between this coin and the ongoing actions in all areas of society and our court system to delete any public reference to God, to Christianity, and the transition of our nation to total materialsim with a State religion of Humanism? Without God? Without reliance on God’s providence?
As the Christian Post reports:
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback to move “In God We Trust” back to a prominent place on the coin was signed by President Bush on Wednesday as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008.
The move of the inscription from the edges to the front or back of the coin "shall be put into effect by the Secretary of the Treasury as soon as is practicable,” according to the provision.
The motto first appeared on U.S. coins during the Civil War and on paper currency in 1957. "New atheist" books may have been bestsellers in 2007, but readers had to pay for them with a currency that pledges fealty to the deity. So there.
Episiarch|1.2.08 @ 5:19PM|#
Ah, the one dollar coin. Every issuance of these coins has been
overwhelmingly rejected by the American people*, yet they keep on
coming like Joan Rivers. I guess the mint needed some pork.
* yes, we all want 6 pounds of metal in our pockets to walk around
with. I don't understand why the Canadians and limeys put up with
it.
the innominate one|1.2.08 @ 5:19PM|#
"...the ongoing actions in all areas of society and our court
system to delete any public reference to God, to
Christianity..."
I must have missed the news reports of all those televangelists
being arrested for their public references to God and
Christianity.
|1.2.08 @ 5:20PM|#
books may have been bestsellers in 2007, but readers had to
pay for them with a currency that pledges fealty to the deity. So
there.
Visa must put that on my plastic with invisible ink. Those godful
bastards!
|1.2.08 @ 5:24PM|#
jc: Invisible indeed, but when I use my Visa an ATM, it spits out bills with the motto on them. ;-)
scooby doo criminal|1.2.08 @ 5:25PM|#
...and I would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for those
meddling kids politicians
|1.2.08 @ 5:27PM|#
So even interesting coin design must fall subservient to the
"God has to be in your face to be relevant" crowd. As if the
mythical creator of heaven and earth would give a rat's ass.
I wish the US Mint would just hurry up and kill the penny and the
dollar note.
Bingo|1.2.08 @ 5:27PM|#
joshua:
Don't you know that a cashless society is a sign of the coming of
the anti-Christ? Repent, sinner!
|1.2.08 @ 5:27PM|#
Ah, the one dollar coin. Every issuance of these coins has
been overwhelmingly rejected by the American people*, yet they keep
on coming like Joan Rivers. I guess the mint needed some
pork.
That's because the Treasury Department is run by idiots. Stop
making $1 bills. Mint the coins. The US populace will somehow
muddle through. Sheesh.
|1.2.08 @ 5:29PM|#
* yes, we all want 6 pounds of metal in our pockets to walk
around with. I don't understand why the Canadians and limeys put up
with it.
A buck is worth less than a 1960 quarter. Yet people still used
coins, not paper, for their 1960 $0.25 purchases. Re-Sheesh!
|1.2.08 @ 5:31PM|#
yes, we all want 6 pounds of metal in our pockets to walk
around with.
You'd need a lot of dollar coins to even amount to a pound. Do you
typically carry that many singles?
I would say that the main constituency with reason to oppose dollar
coins would be strippers, but given the inflation rate, they're
probably demanding fives now anyway.
|1.2.08 @ 5:33PM|#
We used to have the Roman god Mercury on our dimes. Were all of the good Christian Americans protesting back then? A bunch of insecure people looking to get offended and politicians that pander to them.
|1.2.08 @ 5:38PM|#
I wish the US Mint would just hurry up and kill the penny
and the dollar note.
That has been my line in the sand. I'll trade in dollar coins only
after we stop minting G-D pennies. But as noted above, I rarely
ever exchange cash anymore. Wealth flows in direct deposit, and
goes out with online bill pay (purchases are made with plastic and
paid online).
|1.2.08 @ 5:43PM|#
At least the new coins feature people I think deserve coinage.
With all due respect to Ms. Anthony and Sacagawea (and the kid in
the papoose). A coin featuring a loon would also be cool.
Hmmm.
Let's face it, this is all a waste of time. Electronic money is
where it's at, man.
|1.2.08 @ 5:44PM|#
As if the mythical creator of heaven and earth would give a
rat's ass.
Are you kidding me? He cares if we eat shellfish and if
menstruating women defile his temple. Surely the creator and
destroyer of galaxies cares about the designs of coinage.
Rhywun|1.2.08 @ 5:49PM|#
Sickening. "In God We Trust" is now more important than "E Pluribus Unum" (which remains banished on the edge)? Ironic, given that the former slogan is proof of the latter's irrelevance in today's America.
|1.2.08 @ 5:52PM|#
Methinks the strippers might be a little uneasy with the change from from use the g-note string to the coin slot.
|1.2.08 @ 5:53PM|#
Oh and before I forget, Brownback's an asshat. . .like this needed legislative attention. I would further imagine the production cost impact is significant.
|1.2.08 @ 5:55PM|#
No religion is a religion, see?
No opinion is a opinion, see?
No state is a state, see?
This gets silly. For the government to take no religious position
is not in itself a "religious" position. In fact it is plainly the
opposite. It is, in fact, to take NO position. It's only "God-less"
in the sense that a theological position is unneccessary to decide
where to build roads or where to place a police department.
anon.|1.2.08 @ 5:56PM|#
So, when paper and coin become obsolete can we count on Sen. Brownback (or one of his intellectual heirs) to sponsor legislation mandating the motto on our credit/debit cards? Because if I don't see a reference to God every time I pull out my wallet, I don't know what I'll do.
Rhywun|1.2.08 @ 5:57PM|#
I don't understand why the Canadians and limeys put up with
it.
If we must have money (and we will for a long time to come), don't
you think it's a good idea to cut costs?
PS. I prefer dollar coins, which don't require my compulsive need
to smooth them out before putting them in my wallet, plus they work
better in machines. Dollar bills are so worthless now I just toss
them in a drawer when I get home, just like change, rather than
deal with using them.
|1.2.08 @ 5:58PM|#
He cares if we eat shellfish and if menstruating women
defile his temple.
That was only for our own good.
|1.2.08 @ 5:59PM|#
It's all Big Dollar Store's fault. They don't want to have to lug around bags of coins, see.
Biff|1.2.08 @ 6:00PM|#
Dollar coins are actually better for the stripping industry, in a way. Ever been to Montreal? You put the coins into delicate places, and the strippers do some pretty acrobatic moves to manuever the coins into special slots in the stage.
|1.2.08 @ 6:00PM|#
The U.S. mint is issuing a series of useless one dollar
coins commemorating various past presidents.
Well, not entirely useless. The vending machine at work spits them
out as change for a fiver...
As part of the design the motto "In God We Trust" has been
moved from the face of the coins to the rims.
I can see the headlines now - "U.S. Mint Gives God a
Rim-job!"
Sorry, couldn't resist.....
I prefer the originlal
motto on our coinage. In a country where no one, anywhere,
seems to be able to mind their business anymore, the citizenry
could profit from the reminder....
|1.2.08 @ 6:04PM|#
I've never heard of the "stripping industry" before! It's only a matter of time till we all become slaves of the erotic-industrial complex, I guess.
the innominate one|1.2.08 @ 6:04PM|#
MNG, if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice :)
|1.2.08 @ 6:07PM|#
If by "God" you mean, "this worthless piece of paper that we can just print more of" then you have a point.
|1.2.08 @ 6:10PM|#
The fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner seems to indicate
this motto was already around in 1812:
Oh! thus be it ever,
when freemen shall stand,
between their loved home
and the war's desolation!
Then conquer we must,
when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto:
"In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner
in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave!
.|1.2.08 @ 6:14PM|#
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can
kill.
I will choose a path that's clear; I will choose freewill.
|1.2.08 @ 6:15PM|#
If we're going to have godlike currency, why not go back to the classics, like "In hoc signo vinces"? At least it's in Latin. Better yet, use the real phrase that Constantine claimed to have seen, "En toutoi nika" (Greek, but no time to use correct alphabet). Of course, using either of those phrases under, say, "One Dollar" conveys a different meaning than historically intended.
|1.2.08 @ 6:24PM|#
Why don't we just put God's face on the next dollar coin? For
that matter, on all the coins?
It's a symbol of how far those overbearing materialists and
atheists have come that we haven't done this already.
|1.2.08 @ 6:33PM|#
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the
loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace
of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the
Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the
Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to
plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by
these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one
of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil
Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and
furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact,
constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts,
Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought
most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto
which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness
whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the
11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord
King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of
Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.[
Heinrick|1.2.08 @ 6:34PM|#
" It's only "God-less" in the sense that a theological position
is unneccessary to decide where to build roads or where to place a
police department."
Do you mean to tell me that they are not gonna build new govenrment
offices, only on consecrated ground?
Heinrick|1.2.08 @ 6:36PM|#
"Why don't we just put God's face on the next dollar coin? For
that matter, on all the coins?"
To be inclusive we should do one with the face of Mohamid on
it.
thoreau|1.2.08 @ 6:39PM|#
If you want to put God's face on a coin, first we have to figure
out what He looks like.
I hear there's a picture in this Ark. Maybe the President could go
open it...
|1.2.08 @ 6:56PM|#
I always figured we could use Wilford Brimley as the model for
God. Or maybe the "energy storm God" thing from the conclusion of
Star Trek V.
Although the thought of a dollar coin that strikes you dead if you
look at it is most intriguing ....
|1.2.08 @ 7:03PM|#
I'm all for putting the Buddy
Jesus on the dollar coin.
And I'm a secular humanist (wow, sounds so much less threatening
than "atheist." Thanks for the term!
|1.2.08 @ 7:05PM|#
I hear there's a picture in this Ark. Maybe the President
could go open it...
Not yet, Bush is on his way out already. Wait till Hillary wins
nextthis year.
Anyway, I would suggest allaying concerns of religious favoritism
by putting a picture of Mohammed on the coins as well, but that
might not go over either.
|1.2.08 @ 7:35PM|#
One day we'll be required to display one of these:
http://www.alittleleaven.com/2007/11/dashboard-jesus.html
Mike Laursen|1.2.08 @ 7:35PM|#
Yes, I'm sure God wants His name all over our mammon.
Meanwhile, the Postal Service is a den of atheists. I don't see one
reference to God anywhere on any of the current crop of stamps. I
trust Brownback will get to them next.
Mike Laursen|1.2.08 @ 7:41PM|#
I'm all for putting the Buddy Jesus on the dollar
coin.
I'd be for "In God We Trust" if we added, "All others must pay
cash." What would that be in Latin?
|1.2.08 @ 8:06PM|#
I hear there's a picture in this Ark. Maybe the President
could go open it...
Not yet, Bush is on his way out already. Wait till Hillary wins
this year.
Open the Ark at the Fox News debate this weekend...
|1.2.08 @ 8:07PM|#
By tradition the US Mint does not portray living people, or things, or beings on coins. To place god's image on a coin would mean that the US Mint, and by extension the US Government, believes "God is Dead".
|1.2.08 @ 8:25PM|#
crimethink | January 2, 2008, 6:10pm | #
The fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner seems to indicate this
motto was already around in 1812:
As a Canadian, it may be inappropriate for me to make note of this
fact, but when I'm watching sports on TV, most Americans seem to
have trouble getting through the FIRST Verse of The
Star-Mangled Banner. [sic]
|1.2.08 @ 8:29PM|#
It's not a statement of faith, but a scrawl to show whose turf
this is.
I'm pretty sure that using the Lord's name as a gang sign counts as
"in vain."
thoreau|1.2.08 @ 8:38PM|#
I'm pretty sure that using the Lord's name as a gang sign
counts as "in vain."
joe, God is an old school G. I mean, it's right there in the name:
God.
|1.2.08 @ 8:43PM|#
It seems entirely fitting for our money to have a reminder that its value is wholly based on faith.
|1.2.08 @ 8:46PM|#
Warty inspired me on the Paul/debate thread.
The motto on the coin should be "Thundercats Ho!"
TWC|1.2.08 @ 9:17PM|#
Eryk, pretty sure you win the thread.
Now, if that fifty in my wallet was worth more than twenty bucks I
wouldn't care who it said we trusted in.
More important to get to the important stuff.
TWC|1.2.08 @ 9:18PM|#
I'm pretty sure that using the Lord's name as a gang sign
counts as "in vain."
honorable mention
|1.2.08 @ 9:55PM|#
The interesting thing is, having a religious inscription on our
coins might lead to difficulties with this Gospel passage: (Lk
20:21-25)
21 They questioned Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 "Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 23 But He detected their trickery and said to them, 24 "Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" They said, "Caesar's." 25 And He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Looks like God's going to have to get a cut now...
|1.2.08 @ 10:16PM|#
And there is the problem with folks like the Huckster. They are trying to give to God what is rightfully Caesars
|1.2.08 @ 10:41PM|#
I like dollar coins and have a lot of them. The Tooth Fairy also
gives them to my sn and he likes them. The Pizza Guy and the toll
booth worker enjoy them as well.
I often put a $20 bill in the old fashioned stamp machine to buy 1
stamp so I can get a bunch of them.
Brian|1.2.08 @ 11:40PM|#
We've replaced the Gold standard with the GOD standard.
GOD doesn't seem as interested in curtailing inflation as Gold
is.
R C Dean|1.3.08 @ 9:49AM|#
A coin featuring a loon would also be cool.
Since the new coins feature former Presidents, I suspect you will
get your wish.
|1.3.08 @ 10:03AM|#
Minnesotans have already reserved the Loon for lottery tickets and pull-offs. We were here first. Besides, its our state bird and mostly resides in the Capitol, Butt out !!
|1.3.08 @ 10:27AM|#
"""And there is the problem with folks like the Huckster. They
are trying to give to God what is rightfully Caesars""""
I doubt God would want his name on something that represents
material wealth.
|1.3.08 @ 1:07PM|#
R C,
Well, they're only featuring the early presidents right now, so no
loons yet.
Abutebaris modo subjunctivo denuo.
|1.3.08 @ 5:49PM|#
Apparently they've left out the Emperor Norton.
J sub D | January 2, 2008, 5:33pm | #
We used to have the Roman god Mercury on our dimes. Were all of the
good Christian Americans protesting back then? A bunch of insecure
people looking to get offended and politicians that pander to
them.
Technically, that was the Winged Liberty Head dime. She and Mercury
were separated at birth.
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