Instead of being a unifier, God stands to divide the United States, at least when it comes to the national motto and the recent Michigan legislation encouraging its placement in state government buildings. The words “In God We Trust” are now painted on a wall beneath the rotunda on the ground floor of the state Capitol.

As harsh as it may sound, this effort ignores the importance of Americans who might worship a deity other than the Judeo-Christian God, a pantheon of gods or none at all. It alienates these members of our population by making an official statement that their faith is not recognized by our government, and even worse, another religion is more “official” than theirs.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many pieces of reactionary legislation have been pushed through state legislatures and Congress in an effort, supposedly to emphasize our values and unify the citizens of the United States. But what few lawmakers apparently realize is that the wrong values are being underscored.

Our country was founded on principles of religious freedom, enabling citizens to worship whoever or whatever they please.

It was not until 1956 that the nation’s national motto became “In God We Trust” in a move to combat the “godless” Soviet Union.

It was then that Congress stepped away from a truly unifying statement, the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” - one from many - the national motto since 1782.

Today’s legislators are underscoring these religious values - the values of the 1950s - and not the democratic values that America was built on.

Michigan’s measure, introduced by Rep. Stephen Ehardt, R-Lexington, became law in a landslide victory with only one “nay” vote from Rep. Chris Kolb, D-Ann Arbor.

Kudos to Kolb for standing up for true freedom and maintaining the proper perspective on the situation.

His fellow lawmakers would do well to remain as level-headed.

It’s fair to say many of Michigan’s legislators place their trust in God, the Judeo-Christian deity who is supreme in a number of religious denominations.

But to transpose that onto state-owned buildings as an official endorsement of a religious belief is wholly wrong, and an affront to Americans who subscribe to other beliefs.

The wording of the bill reads that the legislature “strongly encourages” the placement of the national motto on buildings - but it is not required. Although it already has been printed on the first floor of the Capitol rotunda, it does not need to be printed anywhere else.

Many people put their faith in God, and that is a fine thing, but our government needs to put its faith in the people - no matter what they worship.