Promoting Monotheism....

On US coins and currency, the phrase "In God We Trust" is being attacked in the American court system as promoting monotheism.

A U.S. district court judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a California atheist against the U.S. government for its use of the phrase "In God We Trust" on its coins and currency.

Michael Newdow, the Sacramento, California lawyer and doctor who had previously launched a court challenge on behalf of his daughter over the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance said in schools, had argued that "In God We Trust" on monetary instruments violates his rights.

His argument is that by being forced to carry currency in his pockets that have that phrase embossed on them, he is being coerced and

forced to carry religious dogma, proselytise and evangelise for monotheism.

Poor, poor man. The suit was thrown out of the lower court but he is appealing the decision. He had previously failed in his attempt to have the phrase "under God" removed from the pledge of allegiance that his daughter had to say in school every morning. It went all the was to the Supreme Court but the court ruled that since he didn't have custody of the child that he didn't have a right to sue on this topic on her behalf. Michael Newdow...

The Rev. Michael Newdow is a Sacramento, California attorney and medical doctor. He is a strong atheist and an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. In 1997, Newdow started a naturalistic organization called the First Amendmist Church of True Science (FACTS), which advocates a strong separation of church and state in public institutions.

In 1957, the words "In God We Trust" were added to the US 1$ bill.



There are several interesting features on US currency but I will only talk about the reverse of the US1$ bill...

What is the significance of the symbols on the back of the one-dollar bill? I'm particularly interested in the eye and the pyramid.

The eye and the pyramid shown on the reverse side of the one-dollar bill are in the Great Seal of the United States. The Great Seal was first used on the reverse of the one-dollar Federal Reserve note in 1935. The Department of State is the official keeper of the Seal. They believe that the most accurate explanation of a pyramid on the Great Seal is that it symbolizes strength and durability. The unfinished pyramid means that the United States will always grow, improve and build. In addition, the "All-Seeing Eye" located above the pyramid suggests the importance of divine guidance in favor of the American cause. The inscription ANNUIT COEPTIS translates as "He (God) has favored our undertakings," and refers to the many instances of Divine Providence during our Government's formation. In addition, the inscription NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM translates as "A new order of the ages," and signifies a new American era.

I have also read that the some of the objects come from the organisation known as the Free Masons. But that topic is fodder for a different post.