Once again I am reminded of the conservatism that enshrouds Indiana. Today in the Commons at Rose, I was reading the Indianapolis Star when I came across this article. In a nutshell, the Indiana legislature wants to require the words “In God We Trust” in every room in every public school in Indiana. Danville schools already have such a requirement. My favorite quote from the article: “Our country was founded on the belief of trust in God. We need to bring that aspect of patriotism back into the schools and in the classroom.” Hmmm… I’m not sure I agree with that one. Our country was founded with secular ideals. It wasn’t untill 1955 that “In God we Trust” became the national motto; prior to that year, E Pluribus Unum held the honor.

It is my belief that the Indiana law is an effort by the religious right to get prayer into schools. I am especially intrigued by the use of patriotism as a justification. Why? The use of ‘In God We Trust’ as a patiotic phrase was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 1978 case O’HAIR vs. BLUMENTHAL. Wrote the court about the motto: “Its use is of a patriotic or ceremonial character and bears no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise.” Church and State should be separated. Period. No ‘Believing in God is patriotic, so we should indoctrinate our children to do so’ rhetoric. Absolutely separate.

Now before you dismiss me as a heretic atheist, let me describe my religious position: I believe in God. [Update, June 2003: this has changed. I would now describe my position as agnostic] I have no problem with religion. I have issues with the Catholic Church, but those are political in nature. However, I have a big problem with organizations forcing their beliefs on others, especially children. I have an even bigger problem with people who use religion as a means for power. Most of all, I cannnot tolerate when religious zealots start wars in the name of God.