Maria Besong – 6/22/11

This page was last updated on June 22, 2011.

Let’s respect non-believers; Maria Besong; Beaver County Times; June 22, 2011.

A previous letter in support of abortion from Ms. Besong is here.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“A resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives that wishes to have ‘In God We Trust’ as the nation’s motto ignores the vast amount of Americans without religion.”

[RWC] “In God We Trust” has been our official motto since 1956 and has been on coins since the 1800s.

“Supporters are using the measure to encourage display of the ‘In God We Trust’ motto in public school classrooms and other public venues.

“In my opinion, this is sneaky politics. It is meant to rally the support of religious groups of the nation with elections looming overhead.”

[RWC] Ms. Besong is wound up about House Resolution 13, entitled “Reaffirming ‘In God We Trust’ as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.”

“This is clearly not a fair representation of our nation. I am one of the more than 45 million Americans who have no religion by choice.”

[RWC] For the sake of argument, let’s assume the “45 million Americans who have no religion by choice” assertion is correct. If “45 million Americans” is a “vast amount of Americans,” what does that make the other 267 million (86%) Americans? Ms. Besong doesn’t tell us if she included atheists in her count of “who have no religion by choice.” If Ms. Besong included atheists, her figure is overstated because atheism is a religion. Why is atheism a religion? Because, just as those who believe in a deity can’t prove the existence of God, atheists can’t prove God doesn’t exist. Therefore, both beliefs are based on faith.

“This nation was founded on the belief of separation of government and religion. It is simply unfair and borders on discrimination. After all, our nation is not governed by a deity but by the secular constitution.”

[RWC] The U.S. was not “founded on the belief of separation of government and religion.” The Declaration of Independence refers to “Nature’s God,” asserts all men “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” and appeals “to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.” The Declaration concludes with, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Nowhere among the many grievances with King George III did the Declaration say anything remotely related to “separation of government and religion.” Indeed, some of the colonies had their own official religion.

The U.S. Constitution mentions religion only twice. Article VI (Debts, Supremacy, Oaths), clause three says “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” The First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” A lot of folks seem to ignore the “free exercise thereof” portion. Some states still had official religions even after ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Finally, let’s not forget the “So help me God.” at the end of many government oaths, some dating back to the late-1700s. Notably, the President’s oath (Article II, Section 1) does not include “So help me God,” though George Washington added it during his inauguration and kissed the Bible. As appears to be SOP since at least FDR, then President-elect Barack Obama asked for “So help me God.” to be added to the end of his oath.

Don’t get me wrong. In no way, shape, or form do I support official or unofficial government religions. That said, it appears many people believe unless government is hostile to religion, that absence of hostility amounts to government support.

“Why not revert back to the original and most suitable, ‘E Pluribus Unum’ (‘One [nation] out of many [parts]’)?”

[RWC] “E Pluribus Unum” (from many, one) was never the official motto, though some considered it to be our de facto motto.

“We are a nation of many diverse cultures who have joined in peace and respect. Let’s maintain this harmony.”