It has come to our attention that it is the intention of this government agency to prominently display the motto In God We Trust. We would like to make our dissent known and offer an alternative. First, however, let us introduce ourselves.
We are The Original Motto Project, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the prominent display of the Latin motto E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One) as one that represents the truly inclusive nature of American society. Our message is one of inclusiveness: it takes all points of view, and sometimes the quarrels between those competing viewpoints, to make America the richly pluralistic society that it is.
In God We Trust, though it is currently enshrined by law as the official motto of the United States, is inherently divisive. Not only does it exclude a significant minority – i.e. the nonreligious – but it also excludes those religions that believe in multiple gods, as well as those that believe in none (like Buddhists). Furthermore, it is an unfortunate fact that many government agents and agencies who display the motto believe it to be an overt endorsement of Christian belief. When used in such a context, In God We Trust violates the most sacred of American principles: the separation of church and state.
E Pluribus Unum, we believe, is a motto that encapsulates the variety of experience and belief in this great country. It first appeared on the proposal for the seal of the United States in 1776, where it represented the union of colonies, who, despite deeply rooted differences amongst themselves, united to throw off the shackles of oppressive and arbitrary governance. The seal prominently displaying E Pluribus Unum, was approved by congress in 1782.
While you may still choose, of course, to display the motto In God We Trust, we here at The Original Motto Project humbly ask that you consider a compromise that can satisfy both viewpoints on this issue: mount E Pluribus Unum (or its English equivalent) in an equally prominent and honorable place alongside In God We Trust.
MyDogsAreSmarterThanYou January 25th, 2016 at 13:43
Maybe I should start trusting in God, because it’s not like I can trust the police to do their job or not be crooks themselves.
You can’t do anything for the community without the guidance of the Lord? F*cking seriously? Do you pray before you pull someone over? “Dear Lord, what should I do about this person speeding down the road and crossing the median? Should I pull them over?” Umm, local, state, and federal law dictates what you can and should do to protect your community, not your mythical sky daddy.
“We want the public to know that we have strong Christian men and women serving their community,”
I suppose these “strong Christian men and women” also expect to be paid for their services. Perhaps their god can issue their paychecks instead of the American taxpayer, since they live to serve their god.
I doubt if they’re all that good at being Christian, either the real or the fake kind. The sheriff is just trying to project his ideas onto the department.
No question about it. And I’ll bet this sheriff lies, cheats and steals with the best of them – and then goes to church on Sunday to keep up his “good Christian” image.
That’s what’s great about not following any one of the popular organized religions. I don’t have to get up at the ass-crack of dawn on my day off to try and impress others.
I, Julius Caesar, do hereby proclaim Suzanne McFly eminently rational – of sound mind and impeccable judgement. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to “Veni, Vidi, Vici” my ass off over here…
rg9rts January 25th, 2016 at 12:50
all others pay cash
FatRat January 25th, 2016 at 13:05
I don’t trust any group at all, who is pro-God and anti-camera.
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/6/f/7/5/1195437989469106298liftarn_Police_brutality.svg.hi.png
http://media.jplennard.com/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/e/se606.jpg
E Pluribus Unum January 25th, 2016 at 13:17
We sent the following to the sheriff.
It has come to our attention that it is the intention of this government agency to prominently display the motto In God We Trust. We would like to make our dissent known and offer an alternative. First, however, let us introduce ourselves.
We are The Original Motto Project, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the prominent display of the Latin motto E Pluribus Unum (From Many, One) as one that represents the truly inclusive nature of American society. Our message is one of inclusiveness: it takes all points of view, and sometimes the quarrels between those competing viewpoints, to make America the richly pluralistic society that it is.
In God We Trust, though it is currently enshrined by law as the official motto of the United States, is inherently divisive. Not only does it exclude a significant minority – i.e. the nonreligious – but it also excludes those religions that believe in multiple gods, as well as those that believe in none (like Buddhists). Furthermore, it is an unfortunate fact that many government agents and agencies who display the motto believe it to be an overt endorsement of Christian belief. When used in such a context, In God We Trust violates the most sacred of American principles: the separation of church and state.
E Pluribus Unum, we believe, is a motto that encapsulates the variety of experience and belief in this great country. It first appeared on the proposal for the seal of the United States in 1776, where it represented the union of colonies, who, despite deeply rooted differences amongst themselves, united to throw off the shackles of oppressive and arbitrary governance. The seal prominently displaying E Pluribus Unum, was approved by congress in 1782.
While you may still choose, of course, to display the motto In God We Trust, we here at The Original Motto Project humbly ask that you consider a compromise that can satisfy both viewpoints on this issue: mount E Pluribus Unum (or its English equivalent) in an equally prominent and honorable place alongside In God We Trust.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
—
Robert Ray
The Original Motto Project
Originalmotto.us
As our Founding Fathers Intended!
MyDogsAreSmarterThanYou January 25th, 2016 at 13:43
Maybe I should start trusting in God, because it’s not like I can trust the police to do their job or not be crooks themselves.
You can’t do anything for the community without the guidance of the Lord? F*cking seriously? Do you pray before you pull someone over? “Dear Lord, what should I do about this person speeding down the road and crossing the median? Should I pull them over?” Umm, local, state, and federal law dictates what you can and should do to protect your community, not your mythical sky daddy.
Bunya January 25th, 2016 at 13:50
“We want the public to know that we have strong Christian men and women serving their community,”
I suppose these “strong Christian men and women” also expect to be paid for their services. Perhaps their god can issue their paychecks instead of the American taxpayer, since they live to serve their god.
Larry Schmitt January 25th, 2016 at 14:00
Does that mean if I’m not Christian, I shouldn’t bother applying for a job with the sheriff’s department?
Suzanne McFly January 25th, 2016 at 14:21
I always thought being a cop would suck, I would be arresting my friends lol. Not for anything bad BTW, just hung out with a bunch of pot heads.
Larry Schmitt January 25th, 2016 at 14:35
In some places it’s not against the law anymore to be a pothead. As long as you’re not driving.
Suzanne McFly January 25th, 2016 at 15:10
Well this is in the late 80’s, it wasn’t legal yet lol.
Bunya January 25th, 2016 at 14:30
I don’t think the good Christian cops would want a godless heathen sinner like you beating and/or killing their suspects.
Larry Schmitt January 25th, 2016 at 14:36
I doubt if they’re all that good at being Christian, either the real or the fake kind. The sheriff is just trying to project his ideas onto the department.
Bunya January 25th, 2016 at 14:50
No question about it. And I’ll bet this sheriff lies, cheats and steals with the best of them – and then goes to church on Sunday to keep up his “good Christian” image.
That’s what’s great about not following any one of the popular organized religions. I don’t have to get up at the ass-crack of dawn on my day off to try and impress others.
bpollen January 26th, 2016 at 06:17
You mean they aren’t an equal opportunity destroyer?
Bunya January 26th, 2016 at 09:55
Heck no! They must be destroyed in the Christian way – in Jeebus name, of course.
Larry Schmitt January 25th, 2016 at 14:01
This sounds an awful lot like a theocracy to me.
Suzanne McFly January 25th, 2016 at 14:19
If God was on our side, why do we need police?
bpollen January 26th, 2016 at 06:16
If THEY put their trust in Gawd, why do they need weapons?
Suzanne McFly January 26th, 2016 at 10:26
Maybe they are mad that God didn’t give them much of a penis so they compensate with a gun? Just throwing out ideas…..
bpollen January 26th, 2016 at 15:03
I like the way your mind works…
Suzanne McFly January 26th, 2016 at 15:11
Huh, I have a few elementary teachers that did not approve. Would you mind providing me a letter stating that fact so I can rub it in their faces lol.
bpollen January 26th, 2016 at 16:01
I, Julius Caesar, do hereby proclaim Suzanne McFly eminently rational – of sound mind and impeccable judgement. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to “Veni, Vidi, Vici” my ass off over here…
Suzanne McFly January 26th, 2016 at 16:25
Thank you buddy :)
StoneyCurtisll January 25th, 2016 at 16:21
“in god we trust” is just as meaningless as “To serve and protect”…