God’s America

On May 21, 2011, many individuals around the United States of America (USA) were fearfully awaiting doomsday.  This was a prediction from a religious radio talk show host that will not be dignified by name on this blog.  Obviously, the end of the world did not occur as predicted.  Unfortunately, it was the end for many since statistics say over 250,000 people die daily worldwide.   

We here in America and across the world need to trust in God.  There is no need to fear.  He holds our future in His hands.   I like to believe that the USA is a special place and as a country our future is entrusted to God.  There is a slogan of sorts that makes the USA God’s America, as I like to call her. The statement speaks clearly to the foundational belief of those who call the USA home.

IN GOD WE TRUST is the official motto of the United States of America and the State of Florida.

The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins. From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, and read:

Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances.

One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.

You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the all seeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW.

This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters.

As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861:

Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.

You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.

It was found that the Act of Congress dated January 18, 1837, prescribed the mottoes and devices that should be placed upon the coins of the United States. This meant that the mint could make no changes without the enactment of additional legislation by the Congress.

A law passed by the 84th Congress (P.L. 84-140) and approved by the President on July 30, 1956, the President approved a resolution of the 84th Congress, declaring IN GOD WE TRUST the national motto of the United States. It was first used on paper money in 1957, when it appeared on the one-dollar silver certificate.

Don’t thinks that GodsAmerica.com is only were this information regarding the motto of the United States is available.  It is throughout many other resources on the Internet, not just on this site.  To deny its origin is just propaganda to minimize God in America.

“Seek Truth Kill Sin”