Lawsuit seeks to block 'In God We Trust' engraving
By RYAN J. FOLEY – 1 day ago
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block an architect from engraving "In God We Trust" and the Pledge of Allegiance at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington.
The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in western Wisconsin, claims the taxpayer-funded engravings would be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
The House and Senate passed identical resolutions this month directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave "In God We Trust" and the pledge in prominent places at the entrance for 3 million tourists who visit the Capitol each year.
The resolution came in response to critics who complained Congress spent $621 million on the new three-story underground center without paying respect to the nation's religious heritage. The center opened in December after years of construction.
The foundation is seeking a court order to stop the engravings, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will cost less than $100,000.
"In God We Trust" has been the national motto since 1956 and has appeared on U.S. currency since 1957.
The lawsuit says both the motto and the words "under God" in the pledge were adopted during the Cold War as anti-communism measures. Engraving them at the entrance to the U.S. Capitol would discriminate against those who do not practice religion and unfairly promote a Judeo-Christian perspective, it says.
Members of Congress who supported the measure swiftly denounced the lawsuit.
"This lawsuit is another attempt by liberal activists to rewrite history and deny that America's Judeo-Christian heritage is an essential foundation stone of our great nation," said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.
Rep. Daniel Lungren, R-Calif., said he was expecting a lawsuit but called the claims "patently absurd."
The foundation also is challenging the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer in federal court.
As far as I'm concerned if the atheists don't like what's written on our government buildings, what's printed on our money, and our pledge why don't they all just move to Russia where everything is just the way they want it.
It IS discriminating to the people that are not catholic and dont have those views and this here is america where you dont shove your views down peoples throats like some place want and how the right wing wants us to.
take it off......what nation needs an icon to remember their God??? it's the foundation
EXACTLY!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I'm neither for nor against " In God we trust "- because is has become more of a slogan and I'm not sure many people really trust or rely on God- It is a very heavy statement- the trust referred to is similar trusting a person for your life.
I'm neither for nor against " In God we trust "- because is has become more of a slogan and I'm not sure many people really trust or rely on God- It is a very heavy statement- the trust referred to is similar trusting a person for your life.
I have to agree with you on this one. The only time 'we as a nation' trust or honor God is when a plane with americans aboard, crash into a tall building full of americans in america.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I am catholic but this is not catholic to force this down the peoples throats and jesus didnt say love me or else or in god we trust he said render on to Caesar that witch is Caesars. So my advice over here people is to back up the congress and the president if they make the right decision to change that demand for the non - catholics and TAKE IT OFF WHILE THE TIME IS RIGHT BEFORE THE RIGHT WING REDKNECKS LIKE PALIN GET IN THERE AND TRY SOMETHING HERE AND PUT IT BACK ON THE MONEY
I'm neither for nor against " In God we trust "- because is has become more of a slogan and I'm not sure many people really trust or rely on God- It is a very heavy statement- the trust referred to is similar trusting a person for your life.
I agree with this, however, I am "for" "In God we trust." If only we could get back to what it was before it became a slogan. That's how I live my life...or at least try very hard to.
"We are at the dawn of a new age," said James Taggart, from above the rim of his champagne glass. "We are breaking up the vicious tyranny of economic power. We will set men free of the rule of the dollar. We will release our spiritual aims form dependence on the owners of material means.We will liberate our culture from the stranglehold of the profit-chasers. We will build a society dedicated to higher ideals, and we will replace th esristocracy of money by-" "-the a
Quoted Text
ristocracy of pull," said a voice beyond the group.
Atlas Shrugged---Ayn Rand
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS