In God We Trust
"Mr. Romney dragged out the old chestnuts about “In God We Trust” on the nation’s currency, and the inclusion of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance — conveniently omitting that those weren’t the founders’ handiwork, but were adopted in the 1950s at the height of McCarthyism."(NYTimes)
I had no idea that came from McCarthy.
I had no idea that came from McCarthy.
posted by John Liberty at 1:46 PM
5 Comments:
As a historian I can attest that my review of sources pre-1950 reveal that the word "God" doesn't appear at all, and that the very notion of a deity is a product of the Cold War.
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Don't you think its significant that the most common medium through which our citizens interact with the government have those words imprinted? Or that the words came because of McCarthy?
There's nothing sadder than seeing a politician strongly rebuke the idea of a religious test for the office of president while engaged in what amounts to...a religious test. Also, I liked this:
"But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America – the religion of secularism. They are wrong."
...
"I have visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired ... so grand ... so empty. Raised up over generations, long ago, so many of the cathedrals now stand as the postcard backdrop to societies just too busy or too 'enlightened' to venture inside and kneel in prayer. The establishment of state religions in Europe did no favor to Europe's churches. And though you will find many people of strong faith there, the churches themselves seem to be withering away."
So, in *America,* the "religion" of secularism is trying to remove religion from the public square and claim that religion is a private affair (the very idea!). Meanwhile, in Europe, it was *state religion* that caused Europe's religious decline. America is so perfectly in the middle.
Kennedy gave the same kind of speech, yadda yadda. I'm so glad we've regressed 45 years, back to an era with "coloreds only" water fountains and no spousal rape laws. The idea that we should not only return to those questions, but in fact roll them back (which is what Romney's speech does -- "freedom requires religion" and all such garbage) is truly heart-warming. That we offer such pap to the religious right's dogma-sucklers must make other nations wonder how the hell we manage to stay ahead.
I mean are we going to follow the Ten Commandments or the Ten Planks of the communist manifesto?
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