California School District Approves 'In God We Trust' Classroom Displays

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 7:05pm

California School District Approves 'In God We Trust' Classroom Displays

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Trustees of the largest high school district in the country voted 4-1 Monday night to mandate displays bearing the nation's motto — "In God We Trust" — and other historical documents in over 2,300 district classrooms and offices.

The display of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights will be included in the posters approved by district trustees in Bakersfield, Calif. Monday night.

Kern County High School District trustee Chad Vegas initially proposed the measure as a way of promoting patriotism. But the idea sparked a contentious debate.

(more at the link...)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,308405,00.html

[DG]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 7:54pm

*sigh*

I just don't understand this kind of thing. Honestly.

[nitsua]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 8:00pm

While I don't like having religion crammed down my throat, I don't mind this, as it is America's tagline.

What confuses me is, "'It’s not political. It’s not religious. It’s patriotism,' Sullivan said. 'American patriotism is love of God and love of country. It's pride in our country.'"

So, is it religious or not? "Love of God" seems to be a religious statement.

Oh well.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 8:02pm

i'd have to see the display before i pass judgment on it. but in general, i think the fact that we handle money every day that bears the motto and the fact that it is and has been the motto of the united states for over 50 years make it less the religious assault on reason that it seems and more a display of nationalism. and you know me, i'm all for some more nationalism.

but like i said, i would have to see the display before passing judgement.

Updated On: 12/2/07 at 08:02 PM

[DG]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 8:06pm

50 years? What's that amount to? And when and why was it introduced?

I find it offensive, and against the very principles we're SUPPOSED to stand for.

Kind of like our attitudes and policies regarding gays.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 8:07pm

EDIT: Nevermind. I'm dumb.

Updated On: 12/2/07 at 08:07 PM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 8:09pm

you're welcome to find it offensive, but it is - unless overturned, and please, please, please get one of the democrats to make that their platform for '08 - the law. it was introduced as a reaction to those godless atheist heathen commie reds who were trying to take over the world. back when we had real men like tailgunner joe and roy cohn running things.

[nitsua]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 8:17pm

The lady also states, near the end of the article, "She believes schools are becoming more casual about teaching children to appreciate the [i]ideals and values the United States was founded on[/i], and she thinks it's important to 'get back to the basics.'"

According to Wiki, "In God We Trust first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin."


Source link

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 10:04pm

Papa, I agree that I'd have to see the display. Is the "In God We Trust" part the focus? I don't know. Maybe it's not a big deal, but I can't help but think there has to be an agenda.

But seriously, why is it that people need to keep yapping on about god to anyone they can find?

If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to trenches for the war on Christmas.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 10:14pm

I would have to see the displays as well. If "In God We Trust" is prominently featured, then I don't know if I'd find it appropriate, but it seemed as if it were just posters of the Declaration of Independence and such.

I did take issue with this quotation:

"American patriotism is love of God and love of country. It's pride in our country."

So, by her standard, atheists aren't patriotic...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 10:30pm

They aren't. Neither are Jews.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 10:39pm

But Jews believe in God. Sorta.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 1:25am

She believes schools are becoming more casual about teaching children to appreciate the [i]ideals and values the United States was founded on[/i], and she thinks it's important to 'get back to the basics.

People need to read up on their history. Majority of our founding fathers were Diests NOT Christians.

[Yawper]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 2:05am

Excellent way to push an issue, if that's their objective. Can't ban the phrase from the classroom while it's all over the money.

[GuitarGirl]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 7:56am

The word (or belief in) God is not a religion by itself. It's a belief, associated with many religions.

[nitsua]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 7:58am

But "God" is Christian. While other religions have a main god, its name is not God.

[GuitarGirl]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 8:13am

Judaism has a main God, who is the same God is Christianity, but Jewish people are not Christians. Muslims believe in God (they call him Allah, but it is the same God) and do not fall under either category. (The differences between these religions is how they see God and whether they believe in Jesus.) And many non-religious people believe in God but do not have a religion they are (or want to be) associated with.

Also, wouldn't preventing people from saying "In God we trust" be an infringement of freedom of speech? If they make the phrase unlawful, chances are those who believe will be punished for saying it. Is that fair?

[Yawper]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 8:32am

Jesus appears in Islam but Mohammed appears after him.

Saying "In God We Trust" isn't the issue - the issue is whether or the phrase goes toward the state establishing an endorsement of a certain belief system over others. God is not a universal concept. Judism, Christianity, and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths with commonalities, but there are other belief systems that have no God concept or have multiple gods.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 10:19am

i'm of a bit of a changed mind.

the issue is not whether the phrase goes toward the establishing of a state belief sysyetm, it is whether or not it is appropriate or not for a school to showcase a display that contains the official motto of the united states of america as adopted in 1956 by congress. until that motto is changed, regardless of how prominent it happens to be, its display is appropriate in united states public schools.

don't like the motto or phrase? lobby congress to change it. but until they do, it is just as much a part of america as baseball and apple pie.

like i said before, i think this should be an issue that the democrats should use as a stand alone plank in their party platform: the get god out of government act which will remove the phrase "in god we trust" from all currency, national monuments, artifacts, laws and in every area maintained with public funds. pretty please with sugar on top?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 10:47am

It's sad that American Christians have such little, well, faith in their own faith. If they would devote half as much time to practicing said faith as they do yapping about it and trying to shove it down everyone else's throats, perhaps this country might be a more pleasant place to live.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 11:39am

Imagine what will happen in this country if Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist Minister who does not believe in evolution, is elected president!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 1:00pm

yeah, phyl, it is disappointing that more folks feel that the way to heaven is through evangelization and judging others rather than through living their lives as examples jesus' teachings. but, just as those blowing themselves up don't represent true islam, those who are damning the gays and busily judging others don't represent true christianity.

now, please folks, get busy lobbying for my "get god out of government" plank to be added to the dnc's national platform for '08.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 1:10pm

Well, like Islam, they are in need a new public face.