Column on deism ignores history
I noticed in the column “Government’s use of “˜God’ not a sin” (Jan. 6) that the author has failed to mention some seemingly minor, but actually vital, information. Two of the examples he mentioned of “ceremonial deism” are not actually part of any sort of American history we should be proud of.
I’m referring to the phrases “In God We Trust” on our currency and “one Nation, under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Neither of these existed at the birth of our nation, and the founding fathers would probably have never wanted them there.
“In God We Trust” was added to our currency in 1864, in response to what was basically several religious people writing a bunch of letters to the Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase. Chase then drew up the designs for the new coins, and Congress (feeling increased religious sentiment due to the Civil War) approved them. Nor has this phrase remained on our currency continually.
Also, I thought the fact that “one Nation, under God” was not originally part of the Pledge of Allegiance was common knowledge. It was added in 1954 during the Vietnam War and the era of McCarthyism, in response to differentiating ourselves from the “godless communists.” This is hardly an era in U.S. history that we should be proud of.
The idea of the use of God in oaths and pledges doesn’t particularly bother me. I won’t say it, just like I leave off “under God” when I say the Pledge of Allegiance.
The point of this letter is simple: know your history and context.
Natalie Ma
Third-year environmental science student