One nation, under God...

In God We Trust.... 

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

          These are only a few examples of God's place in U.S. Politics. But why is he there? Doesn't the first amendment prevent the government from getting involved in religion? Didn't Jefferson put a clause into place in 1802 to prevent the government from establishing, or favoring a religion? What happened to separation of church and state?

           Not everyone in the U.S. is a Christian. In fact, only about 63% of the country's population classifies themselves as being Christian/Catholic. 29% of Americans are Unaffiliated or Non Theist. And these numbers are changing everyday. 

          So if the U.S. is not composed solely of believers in God, then why is his name in our Pledge of Allegiance? Why is he on our currency? Why are  we forced to swear on his name when in court or when enlisting in the military? Why does the government pass laws that are rooted in his teachings? Why can’t Atheists hold office in several states?

         Well the first few have simple answers. Our 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, put these into effect. It was all in an effort to make the country seem more “United” during The Cold War. Let’s take a look at the Pledge of Allegiance. Before 1954, it actually read like this:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

          As for our currency, God was on coins as early as the late 1800s, but it was not until Eisenhower that it ended up on our paper money. And the kicker is, several nonaffiliated individuals are on currency with God printed next to their faces. How would you feel if your tombstone had the name of a deity, that you didn't believe in, carved right next to your name?

          We are not asking for religion to be removed from people's lives. We are simply asking that it no longer affect the lives of those that believe (or don't believe) in God. We shouldn't have to lie and swear on his name in an effort to protect ourselves. We shouldn't be forced to say his name in our schools. 

          President Biden, when you won the election you stated that the people “voted for science”. So why is the government shrouded in religion? Why are Muslims forced to utter the names of another deity in school or at sporting events? Why do atheists have to fight against creationism being taught in school? Why are we allowing this religious persecution to happen in the land of the free, where everyone of all shapes, colors, religions, languages and cultures are welcomed? Our founding fathers were against this and yet many claim that it is “Un-American” to remove religious control. It’s the opposite. It's “Un-American” to let this continue any longer.