IN THEORY:

Huntington Beach City Council members recently took a step toward displaying the expression “In God We Trust” in the council chambers. “When I see ‘In God We Trust,’ for me personally it’s a religious statement,” Councilwoman Jill Hardy said. “I don’t hear the words ‘United States of America.’ Why not post ‘Proud to be an American?’ If that’s really the goal, shouldn’t we say what we mean?” But Councilman Joe Carchio said, “I think you’re kind of reading too much into this religion thing. It doesn’t make any difference if it says God or it doesn’t say God… It’s the motto of the nation.” What do you think of the decision?

Let’s be realistic here.

If, prior to his inauguration, Washington asked us whether he should place his hand on a Bible and add “So help me God” to the Presidential oath’s 35 words; if, before he wrote the Declaration of Independence’s final paragraph, Jefferson had inquired of us whether we deemed it proper to reference God’s Providence; if, before it was introduced, our comment was solicited on the advisability of opening Supreme Court or Congressional sessions with an invocation of God; if, before they were added, we had been consulted about the wisdom of affixing “In God We Trust” to our currency and inserting “under God” into the Pledge of Allegiance, we might have objected that such rituals and wording hammered a hole in the wall of church-state separation.

But God is by now so enmeshed in the body politic that the battle being waged in city councils today, was, depending on your view, won or lost long ago.

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

I support the Huntington Beach Council’s decision. The surprising thing is that this is a divisive issue, one indicating that we as a nation have lost our way.

The founding fathers understood that America was founded as a Christian nation, not as a pluralistic society that considered all religions, or no religion, as acceptable for our national position. They guaranteed us freedom of religion, but that is a far cry from outlawing religious expression in public. Thomas Jefferson made a profound statement, which is inscribed on his memorial: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

This conviction that America should “Trust In God” was a generally held belief among the rank-and-file citizens until recently. Noah Webster wrote this in the preface of his original edition of his dictionary: “The Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed.”

I agree with the City Council’s decision to display the words: “In God We Trust.” They do not infringe on a person’s right to define that God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience, including trusting no God at all. Let’s display the nation’s motto. My prayer is that we all would actually try and practice it!

Pastor Dwight Tomlinson

Liberty Baptist Church

Newport Beach

In God we trust? It sounds like creeping theocracy, which can only be extremely divisive. Whose God are we talking about? They are all so different! And even within the same religion, the interpretation of religious rules varies. How can we trust all of the contrary interpretations?

If our founders created the Constitution without any mention of God, why do we need to affirm “In God we trust” in every little branch of local government? It is not an expression of patriotism nor is it related to the founding of our government. It can only be an attempt to bring in religious dogma as part of our laws. Proud Americans should have none of that.

Our trust should be in the Constitution.

The original, true and apt motto of our country is “E Pluribus Unum” [out of many, one]. It was only changed by pusillanimous politicians back when they were screaming that we were all in mortal danger from the Russians. To express patriotism and honor the founders of our country, we should use the original motto.

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County