WASHINGTON (PNN) - March 20, 2011 - The U.S. House of Representatives will have a chance to vote on a resolution to affirm the phrase "In God We Trust" as the nation’s official motto after it was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-Virg.), the founder and chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, sponsored the legislation. It would encourage the public display of the motto in all public buildings, public schools and government institutions.
He said he introduced the bill in January because he was troubled by a pattern of omitting God from the nation's heritage.
"There is a small minority who believe America does not have the right to trust in God, who believe the United States should not affirm trust in God, and who actively seek to remove any recognition of that trust," Forbes said.
The phrase "In God We Trust" was made the official U.S. motto in 1956, one year after the phrase "under God" was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance.
Critics of the resolution said it violated the establishment clause of the Constitution, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion."
However, constitutional scholars understand that the First Amendment only progibits Conbress from making any laws restricting the free expression of religion. Utilizing the phrase “In God We Trust” in no way restricts anyone’s freedom to believe in any religion whatsoever or profess atheism.
