ISIL Freedom Network: United States > Introductions and FAQs > Church and State

History of US national mottoes
Source: Religious Tolerance.org
Country: United States

How did we get from 'E Pluribus Unum' (Latin for 'One from many') to 'In God We Trust'?

Mind your own business
Source: Hittman Chronicles
Author: Dave Hitt
Country: United States

"In 1787 the Continental Congress of the Confederation commissioned the first penny. Designed by Ben Franklin, the front featured the sun rising over a sun dial. [T]he motto under the sundial ... admonished everyone to 'Mind Your Own Business'... even generic religious statements don't belong on money unless you're living under the Taliban." (11/00)

In God we trust
Source: Columbus Dispatch
Author: Gerald Tebben
Country: United States

"The 1864 copper 2-cent piece was the first U.S. currency to carry the motto In God We Trust. In God We Trust began appearing on the reverse side of dollar bills only in the late 1950s." (01/01)

Is America a religion?
Source: Competitive Enterprise Institute
Country: United States
E-mail: pr@cei.org

"'Why do they hate us?' Americans have been asking themselves that question since the tragic events of September 11. Dr. Robert H. Nelson, Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and author of the recently published book, Economics as Religion, believes one of the central components of anti-Americanism is that 'America is a church in itself.'" (10/22/01)

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