Suit Filed Over 'In God We Trust'
Atheist Group Says Words Should Not Be In Visitor Center
© Jon Pike
Jul 19, 2009
A Wisconsin-based group of atheists does not want a particular phrase put on one of the nation’s newest landmarks. The Freedom From Religion Foundation does not want to see the phrase, “In God We Trust” on the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Two Republican congress members say that spending over $100,000 to put the phrase in the center properly acknowledges the role of religion in American life.
The Establishment Clause and the Lawsuit
For the Wisconsin group of atheists, the establishment clause of the first amendment makes the case clear. This clause says that the government cannot establish a religion. The lawsuit says that spending this amount of money clearly shows that the government favors the establishment of religion. The suit was filed in federal court in Wisconsin. A news release from the group cites the words of the complaint:
" 'In God We Trust' excludes and treats as outsiders the millions of adult Americans, including as many as 15% of all adults, who are not religious, i.e., atheists, agnostics, skeptics and freethinkers, none of whom possesses a belief in a god; the mandated language diminishes nonbelievers by making god-belief synonymous with citizenship."
For the Foundation, they say that the action to spend this money in this way, on this phrase, diminishes the citizenry of non-believers. At least two members of congress beg to differ.
Congressmembers Say That Words Acknowledge the Role of Religion
Two of the major figures behind the move to include these words, which have been the official motto of the United States since 1954 are U.S. representative Dan Lungren from California and senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina, both members of the Republican Party.
The center was opened last December. The House of Representatives approved the measure by 410-8 votes. The Senate also approved a move by Demint to add the words.
A news release from Lungren rather prosaically states:
“There are a number of appropriate religious references in the Capitol Visitor Center, but I believe the Pledge of Allegiance and National Motto are very significant to our nation’s history and should be properly displayed”
Lungren is a former California Attorney General and he says that the inclusion of the words does not violate the United States constitution or the establishment clause. There is no word yet, on any scheduled court hearing for the case.
Specifically, the case asks that United States Architect be enjoined from adding the words to the Capitol Visitor Center.
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