Quote:
Originally posted by 2001frontier:
Alright. So how is having In God We Trust unconstitutional?
Well, it could be argued that it doesn't refer to a specific God, but...

It does give implicit endorsement of a religious view - that is one of a monotheistic belief. Therefore, it excludes some - Hindus and atheists for example.

It was placed on coinage during the 50s, at the height of McCarthyism. Same with placing "one nation, under God" in the pledge.

As far as the oath - that's not required, and I don't think a bible is, either. Much like the presidential oath - nowhere in the constitution does it say the oath requires a bible. If Lieberman were elected to be president, you can be sure he wouldn't use a bible. One of the reasons it wasn't is because some religions do not believe in oaths - for example, Society of Friends (Quaker). Quakers do not believe in signing or reciting loyalty oaths. (If I recall correctly, if a Quaker were to be elected president, they generally would switch from "I do solemnly swear" to "I do solemnly affirm." Yeah, it's a matter of verbage, but a very important one to them.
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"Nature has constituted utility to man the standard and test of virtue. Men living in different countries, under different circumstances, different habits and regimens, may have different utilities; the same act, therefore, may be useful and consequently virtuous in one country which is injurious and vicious in another differently circumstanced" - Thomas Jefferson, moral relativist