BAKERSFIELD – Kern High School District trustees have given the green light to posting the nation’s motto “In God We Trust” in high school classrooms.Inside the district meeting, more than two dozen community members also wanted their voices heard.”This is not an issue of religion,” said poster supporter Paul Press. “It has only become that because it was brought up by a board member who happens to be a preacher.”"If a phrase has ‘Trust in God’ in it … it is part of religious doctrine,” said Hal Stuart, who opposes the posters. “I don’t care if it is the motto … it’s part of religious doctrine.”"The key message of this poster of having ‘In God We Trust’ over the background of the American flag … says those who don’t believe are not good Americans,” said poster opponent Michael Korcok. “And if you think I’m being to sensitive, I just don’t think you’re hearing what some of the supporters are saying.”The debate also continued with the trustees.”So you’re making and amendment to an amendment … after a minute of hearing discussion?” one supervisor asked another. But after all the heated discussion, a poster with a combination of the Bill of Rights, The Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the national motto “In God We Trust.”Trustee Chad Vegas originally proposed a simple “In God We Trust” poster be hung in classrooms, but Bryan Batey amended the proposal.A laminated version of the poster will be hung in all Kern High School District classrooms.
Phrom PhreedThe problem this exposes is what happens when we don’t speak out when little things happen. To say “In God We Trust” isn’t religious is ridiculous, but since Congress made it a national motto (along with e Pluribus Unum, which was not included in this poster), we can’t really stop them from placing this divisive dogma in the classroom.Our only defense is to vote out the un-American theocrats from the school boards.
…and lead not into financial ruin, but deliver us from bankruptcy. Amen.
Now print that on a sawbuck.
Comment from: writerdd
Ahh…finally truth…allows a few access to the public taxpayers trough for their own personal gain…
Imagine living in a country that actually followed its Constitution.
One in which the people wouldn’t have to bring lawsuits against their own govenment for ignoring it.
Yeah, I know I’m dreaming again.
“A laminated version of the poster will be hung in all Kern High School District classrooms.”
So I guess the spitballs won’t stick to it??
FairyDogMother
Pronably so no one can cross oout the “In God we Trust” part, like we do on our currency.
Which reminds me, I have some bills that need to be edited.
Erm…
*Probably*
and
*out*
Seems I need to be edited too. :p
FDM
Thanks for pointing out the lamination. So these good xians anticipate that folks will be offended by their unconstitutional display but they don’t care. I would give them what they anticipate … a little creative tagging.
Anyone on this blog from Bakersfield? I live here, don’t know why, I just do. Anyway, not everyone here is a freek. There are quite a few humanist, secular, athiest types (me). That aside, I tried to get the attention of the board members and give them a little education on the Constitution. The board president was the only one who stuck to his guns.
The problem with xtians here is they are too dogmatic and too damned ignorant (think it’s all that inbreeding) to understand anything. Wrote letters to the paper, board members including that little pissant preacher. Didn’t get published until after it was all over.
City Council she-devil Sullivan started all this crap. She talks like she’s addressing a kindergarten class. Looking into her eyes is like staring into the pit of hell (if one existed).
Amazingly, what no one noticed with the poster that was ultimately approved was this. The Constitution covers the majority of the poster. Superimposed over this is the Bill of Rights in one area. The Declaration overlaps the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, all of which are faded and difficult to read if you could see the entire document to begin with. Across the top in bold lettering is a statement about civics or some such nonsense with the word “fundamental” underlined. The one document that stands out is the one with the description of the two mottos “e pluribus unium” and In god We Trust”. Boldly printed with, you guessed it, the offending motto taking up three quarters of the page.
I thought I was the only one whose mind ran to these things!
If you run out of sharpies, a paperpunch works quite well.
FairyDogMother
I don’t know if legally you can punch holes in currency, but you can use a Sharpie on it.
Dave Silverman-
What -
I agree with What!
WTF is wrong with American Atheists?!?!? The spokesperson is a guy who calls himself a Jew, admits to taking part in religious rituals and celebrating religious holidays and consistently preaches and supports Judaism on this blog, and has an attitude of “Quit & Give Up” when it comes to the mission of American Atheists and fighting theocracy and violations of the US Constitution.
If Madalyn Murray OHair had this attitude, there would be no American Atheists and there would still be Bible readings in public schools.
Michale Newdow didn’t have this attitude and message of “just give up and roll over for theocracy” for fighting “one Nation under God”. Ellen Johnson criticized him for calling Atheism a religion, but lets Dave preach Judaism (and giving up)on behalf of American Atheists. HYPOCRISY.
In God We Trust is the national motto! Why can’t it be in schools? It is just stupid. Aetheists have already won. No state sponsored prayer is allowed in school. Why must we invade the privacy of a school in a place where people don’t think like we do and ideologically invade them! And by the way, I don’t think the school board in Bakersfield will be intimidated by bloggers.
Jimmy,
In God We Trust is an unconstitutional motto, that’s why it doesn’t belong in schools.
You mean, by forcing the kids to say they put their trust in God?
I agree, that would be a horrible thing to do.
Also, please explain how the Atheists have already won?
Any time the constitution is upheld, AMERICA wins. We’re fighting for your rights as much as ours. Just because you can’t see that doesn’t make it not true.
In the present system, it’s clear that non-Theists are discriminated against. In the system we would like to see adopted (one where the government doesn’t inhibit or promote religion), no group is discriminated against based on their thoughts about deities.
Why is discrimination better than no discrimination?