A law signed by Gov. John Engler in December, though meant to make people more patriotic, is not inclusive of all Americans and stands only to defeat Constitutional rights.
Most Americans probably don’t blink an eye at the national motto, “In God We Trust,” and a bill passed stating that the motto could be displayed in schools and other governmental buildings.
But the bill not only allows the motto to be displayed in such establishments, but also “strongly encourages” those units to place the words in or on their buildings.
To encourage government entities to display “In God We Trust” defies a basic principle defined in the Bill of Rights. It’s a good idea to promote patriotism, but the motto has too much religious meaning behind it to adhere to the separation of church and state.
Lansing area public schools aren’t participating in displaying the motto, and that’s a good thing. If they make an effort to put the motto somewhere in the schools, it could infringe on people’s religious beliefs. Putting the words on the wall may create more controversy than those who would applaud the idea think.
While the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks prompted a movement to promote patriotism, the phrase “In God We Trust” doesn’t do much to promote this goal. To equate the phrase with patriotism would mean atheists, agnostics or anyone who believes in more than one deity aren’t patriotic - a misleading and potentially harmful analogy.
No school should go out of its way to put this motto on display because it will do more harm than good. Freedom of religion also includes freedom from religion, if any person so chooses.
If the phrase “In God We Trust” is impressed upon people, there can be no freedom of, or from, religion.
There’s also the chance “In God We Trust” would become just a phrase on a wall to those passing through schools and government buildings - hardly the goal legislators would have in mind for those who look upon the national motto. Other ways should be found to promote patriotism among people, regardless of what their religious beliefs may be.
