July 22, 2009 7:00 PM

Congress Wants "God" in Capitol Visitor Center

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Congress
608781The new visitor center at the U.S. Capitol opened in December 2008, hundreds of millions of dollars over budget and years late. Some congressmen, however, think it's not quite finished.

Congress earlier this month passed legislation requiring the words "In God We Trust" as well as the Pledge of Allegiance to be etched into the walls of the cavernous complex, which sits underneath the Capitol building and greets thousands of tourists each day.

The Los Angeles Times, however, reports that the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based association of atheists and agnostics, has filed a federal lawsuit to stop the engraving.

The group argues the engraving would be unconstitutional because it would "give actual and apparent government endorsement and advancement of religion," while excluding nonreligious Americans.

"I was surprised that they would suggest that the national motto or the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional," said Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), one of the sponsors of the legislation, according to the LA Times. "I think the historical significance is well established."

Lawmakers raised similar points in a letter sent to the architect of the Capitol before the visitor center was open, which read, "None of us should want to construct a $621 million shrine to political correctness that does not accurately reflect a significant part of American history."

The words "In God We Trust" were placed on U.S. coins during the Civil War era. However, the Freedom From Religion Foundation points out it was not placed on paper currency until the 1950's, during the Cold War. The words "under God" were inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954.

The engraving would cost as much as $100,000, the LA Times reported.

Add a Comment See all 35 Comments
by momintum July 23, 2009 7:40 PM EDT
Religious proselytizers of a plethora of deities have been cramming their fantasies down the throats of humanity for centuries. Moving forward into a more secular and saner future is not going to come without some struggle and pain. These nuts are not going to allow their imaginary friends to disappear into the annals of ancient history peacefully. Their hype is founded on fear and emotional tragedy and they will not allow the process of natural selection to overcome their superstitions without a very dangerous resistance. Look for more such attempts to bolster their beliefs in the future and convert the ignorant and unwary into their cells of darkness regardless of which sky-fairy theory they favor. Zeus, Odin, Yahwey, Allah, Jesus, Zoroaster, Porky Pig, or some hidden group in the tail of a comet...These whackos will sacrifice themselves and anyone else who stands in their way. Unfortunately a majority of humanity still adheres to one or the other of these boogers in the closet.
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by formrusmcsgt July 22, 2009 8:17 PM EDT
Christians want the motto to establish a seperceedance of their religion over others.

Either include, Muhammed, Bhudda, and the religious icons of all or leave them off all together.
Reply to this comment
by ToolMangler1 July 22, 2009 9:50 PM EDT
They did!!!!!! "God" is not a name, it is a description.
Claim anything else and I will call you a LIAR
by Yeah-Me July 22, 2009 10:25 PM EDT
Onfortunately, there are those of the christian fail (who concider themselves the majority), who do precisely state that "God" here is in reference to the christian faith.

That is one reason why the term should not be placed in government buildings, because they do (and will) use it to hammer home that their religion is the one true religion of the US.

Which, is patently false in my opinion.

I don't argue the fact that differing christian faiths were predominate during the time of our fore fathers. Only that times have changed since then, and as such, our definition needs to encompase that. It needs to remain true to the ideal that no single religion is better than the other, and that we are free to practice that religion as seen fit.

Just like in with the Declaration of Independence and the stance that "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator...". So religions should be concidered as equal, just as the the people who revere them.
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by Yeah-Me July 22, 2009 8:10 PM EDT
"In God we trust"... I have no problem with the term myself. For God to me, in my world view is certainly going to be different than somebody elses. Allah, Jehova, Krishna, ect...

I do think though, it does do a disservice to the athiests and agnostics of our great nation. In this matter, government buildings should hold to that status of "Seperation of Church and State", just like our laws should be. Government really does need to remain neutral in these matters.

It really is a shame that so many of the christian groups don't feel this way. To me, it shows a continuing level of intollerance towards other wold religions out there. No single religion, or lack there of, should hold sway over another.
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by Yeah-Me July 22, 2009 8:46 PM EDT
I wouldn't go so far as labeling all (insert appropraite religous affiliation) as not having a "live and let live" tenet. That, in truth, isn't fair to all practitioners. Certainly there are some groups that are very agressive in the "recruitment" department. Of course, the same can be said of all religious affiliations. You'll always have those who are very agressive in their approach.
by ToolMangler1 July 22, 2009 9:46 PM EDT
"by gravyboat5000 July 22, 2009 8:13 PM EDT
Well siad. Unfortunately, it's not the tenet of any Christian to,"live and let live". As with other world religions, they're told to,"recruit", new members. How can you be tollerant of non-believers if your main focus it to make them into believers?"



Do you 'recruit' by the use of 'force', NO!! you only enslave or hold captive.
You recruit by allowing some one to see something that they wish to adopt for themselves. Anything else is a lie or threat.
My GOD will not allow me to force anything on someone else, What did yours do that ran you away???
by John_Merritt July 22, 2009 8:06 PM EDT
Are you guys sure you know God? Maybe He just allows everyone to play their hand. He is fair. He gives everyone a chance. Play your hands guys, and than you will know whether you beat God or not. Everybody gets a chance to play their hand. The only question, "How will you play it?"
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by John_Merritt July 22, 2009 8:19 PM EDT
Gravy:

You used to be 4000 and now your 5000. My how you have grown? I love your simple statements, because they are so telling. "Paranoia will destroy ya". Yes, but reality will kill you faster. You call it paranoia, I call it love for my Father.
by erniepf July 22, 2009 8:06 PM EDT
Uhm, which god again are we referring to? I sorta like the Mother Goddess. Shouldn't we be referring to her, instead of some oldish looking white guy with a long, very white beard? Is he just another excuse for the very white Republican party to rub our faces in their blatant hypocrisy?

Goddess Bless America!
Reply to this comment
by erniepf July 22, 2009 8:13 PM EDT
"Alah bless America."

Nope, sorry. Alah (Allah?) is a misfit and a thug, too. It's time for humanity to start admiring another swell icon.
by SHAKEYGUY July 22, 2009 8:00 PM EDT
Yes as some have said it opens a can of worms. I suggest we require these organisations to turn in all American money as the word GOD is on every bill. Then we can discuss the strength of their beliefs.
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by kansas1946 July 22, 2009 7:49 PM EDT
As usual, the hypocritical Republicans want to smear the name of God around, while they romp with their mistresses, cheat on their wives, take bribes, and busy themselves in the closet with their boyfriends.
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by Scooter2009 July 22, 2009 7:47 PM EDT
Our Country was founded on the principals of our founders...should stay that way....
Reply to this comment
by Yeah-Me July 22, 2009 8:35 PM EDT
So, would you say then that Jefferson's "Wall of Seperation" letter, in regards to the seperation of church and state, stands as a good benchmark for leaving the terms of what our founding fathers envisioned?

http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html
by saturn05 July 22, 2009 7:40 PM EDT
By-the-way, present statistics show a major decrease in citizens who call themselves Christian or make a connection to god. We can't always change things like the motto on currency, we could in the future realize it doesn't and never has had a place in government business. In this case, what you call a majority does not have any power when it comes to politics. I am offended that anyone would think your personal belief system which is based on fables is fact and the truth for 100% of all Americans to accept. There has to be a line drawn. I am not wasting my taxpayer dollars on a personal wish to proclaim your religious beliefs through a stale motto that has outlived its time. I am not anti-religion. I want people to worship how they want. But it is the most personal of all activities in a person's life and it should be kept personal. All of the other religions in the world believe their way to paradise is the only way. How could any Christian believe that they have the true path? Have your faith. Give to your religious charities. Surround yourself with like-minded friends and family and you will have a full life. But why would you want to use God's name to create hatred and such divisiveness? Keep personal beliefs out of public policy and we will all be happy.
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by IdahoCowgirl July 22, 2009 7:34 PM EDT
2 Chron. 7:14
"If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my faceand turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

OUR CREATOR is mentioned by our founding fathers. Why on earth do these fools turn their backs on God? All they are doing is subjecting our Nation to the Wrath of God! Nations are going to pay for this hardening of hearts!
Reply to this comment
by Illuminated1 July 22, 2009 7:40 PM EDT
Not so fast, not all the founding fathers would agree with you. You seem to assume the founding fathers were all religous nuts.
GET THIS INTO YOUR HEAD. THERE IS NO GOD. YOU HAVE BEEN MISLEAD BY THOSE WHO SEEK TO CONTROL YOU.
by Yeah-Me July 22, 2009 8:49 PM EDT
Yeah... and Thomas Jefferson was also very religious himself. But he understood the importance of maintaining the seperation between church and state. As he so well annunciated in his "Wall of Seperation" letter.

http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html
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