Mottos in Ohio Stir Controversy

Atheists and secularists have long argued that things like the motto "In God We Trust" are not innocuous statements but, rather, wedge points used to force more and more religion into government. Inevitably, conservative Christians prove these concerns to be true - like in Ohio, were there are efforts underway to promote religious messages to public schools students via the state and national mottos.

The Zanesville Times-Recorder reports:

Every classroom, auditorium and cafeteria in the state would display the mottos "With God, All Things are Possible" and "In God We Trust" hanging in separate frames measuring at least 11 by 14 inches, under a proposal by Rep. Keith Faber, R-Celina. "What we want to do is make sure we promote the state and national mottos in the classroom," Faber said. "Both of the mottos have been upheld as constitutional and reflect a part of our tradition and historical perspective." The bill also would prominently display the word "God" inside Ohio schools roughly 200,000 times -- a situation that irritates those who advocate for wide separation on church-state issues.

It is estimated that this attempt to promote religion will cost USD $3 million - and it's not clear where the money will come from.

Faber dismisses concerns that the bill would force a particular religion on students, noting that the term "God" doesn't refer to a specific deity. "As long as people understand we're not saying, 'My religion's right and your religion's wrong' or that we're going to preach the scripture," he said. "All we're saying is the state has a motto and the motto is based in a historical context." Plus, Faber said, a "compelling argument" is made that more problems developed in schools when people started forcing God out. "It's amazing to me that people say we don't want God in the classroom, yet my view is God comes into the classroom every morning when the children come in," he said.

I suspect that Faber is completely unaware of how contradictory his statements are. If the signs don't promote a specific God, then what "God" was "forced out" of classes and will coming into classes with the children? Every God? Of course not - it will be the "God" Faber has in mind: the monotheistic Christian God.

These statements take theological positions which not everyone will share - thus, it is absolutely true that they will be giving the message to students that certain theological positions are favored by the state and others are disfavored. This is only reinforced when politicians like Faber are disingenuous about their motives. He isn't looking to promote an isolated aspect of our national heritage; he is, in fact, trying to promote particular theological views and a religious agenda.

Read More:

• Secularism 101
• Separation of Church and State 101
• Religion in Public Schools
• School Prayer