I remembered it saying prophet, not messiah,but i could be recalling this incorrectly,reading the source is the best way of learning, but reading it does not gaurentee remembering every snipped correctly, I will look it up again.

Yes what an individual who claims to follow holy book X beleives is not an indication what all people who follow that holy book beleive, as that individual might be mistaken on WHAT his holy book says.

Unless a person explicitly states that he cares not for holy books and beleives whats in his heart.

1. It's not the age, it's the principle.

2. Depends, it's a rather tricky thing to decipher. Mind what? The in god we trust? It wasn't the founding fathers that put it there.

3. I'm not offended, per se. I'm annoyed because people are saying something that's total BS.It goes against our principles, which, as an American, pisses me off.

4. It implies endorsement.

5. I don't, my many atheist friends don't.Other atheists or buddhists, or taoists, etc. do not.

It's a grassroots movement of Democrats, Republicans and Independents all across the country peacefully protesting about out of control government spending putting that burden on our children and our children's children, rising taxes, more government control over private enterprise and less individual liberty.  

No, atheism is.

And I would be opposed to a slogan "There is no god." just as much and for the same reason I am opposed to a slogn "In some god we trust." on American bank notes.

Why the heck does any of this have to be mentioned on bank notes? It's _money_.

It's _money_, not the National Opera Company.

Principle is principle. You either value the constitution or you don't.

And my personal opinion is that G-d is probably more pissed off because His name is mentioned on money than he would be if it weren't.

Agreed, that's what the principle of it is; however, after talking with a friend of mine who is actively involved in the Tea parties, and has been -- mind you -- for years. (Libertarians have been doing these for six or so years, so it's not a new thing). He is telling me that they're being manipulated for various purposes; political, monetary, racist, etc.

My point in asking that of Paladin is to try to understand what his assumptions are. It seems to me, that he was making the claim that Secularists are trying to do something to them.

You know, I think this argument is going to give me a freaking ulcer. So, I'm going to explain this clearly so that even a kindergartener who has repeated the grade can understand it, and then I'm going to take up smoking...

Just kidding, a little humor...

1. American culture, by your logic, would believe in YWH, Buddha, etc. as well. American culture, is more than just Christianity, it is Buddhistm, Taoism, Confucism, etc. It is also: Japan, China, Russia, etc. It is every person that comes into this country and contributes to it. So, bluntly, you are flat out full of shit. American culture is not as you say, not in the context you put it in at least.

2. The Declaration of Independence is not a legally binding document; it was - frankly - a declartion of principles and grievances toward King George. It has no, so far as I know, not a legal document as to set a precedent on.

3. Even then; however, the Declaration of Independence states God once, and only once. The context however, is this:

"When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation." Laws of nature, and nature's God; that sounds Deist, not Theist. Hmm, no real precedent there.

4. Uh, nope. Certain individuals may believe in God, but I do not believe in it and nor do I appreciate people telling me that I supposibly do, when I do not. Sorry, but my freedom of religion (or no religion), is paramount to me. You don't like Obama saying we're not a Christian nation? Then by the very princple of your dislike, you should not make the claim that we as a nation believe in God. The nation, the United States, is a pluralistic society, it's time you folks get that. We're not all one thing, we're a plethora of differences.

5.

Part One:

The founders may or may not have found in God; however, with a few exceptions 1) Being part of a church does not necessarily mean that they are religious. 2) It's hard in some cases to decipher some of the founding father's religious beliefs.

However, that being said, the founding fathers obviously had the intentions of setting of a secular government, otherwise they would have set up some sort of theocracy instead. There was submission to God only on a personal level. They did not, as their predecessors from England had experienced, persecuter, subject, or force (any) religoin on the people of the colonies.

They understood the diversity.

Part Two:

That being said, when it comes to the motto and the pledge of allegiance: Sorry, but the pledge of allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (a Christian, and a socialist oddly enough). 1892? that's well over one hundred years since the Constitution convention and Declaration.

However, even with that revalation (no pun intended), the words "under God," were not added until about 59 years later, by the effosts of the Knights of Columbus (a religious fraternity btw) and others. It seems to me that this was pushed through without much notice to the people. I would think, that in the best interests of the people, such a thing should be made well known.

Part Three:

The motto, IGWT, was brought about due to the increase of religious upheaval, during the Civil War. Psychologically, and sociologically the upheavel is understandable because of the time and era. However, the time is passed and there is no need what-so-ever for it. The government, by saying that, has essentially said "Yup, we favor this religion." There is no excuse for that, it violates the First Amendment plain and simple.

6.

Uh, sorry, but that was a stupid comment. A lot of people have been hurt. You don't see Atheists proudly being themselves do you now? Do you remember when - i believe it was Bush - stated tht he did not consider Atheists to be Americans? Hello, a president should not say that.

How about people who were killed by Christian gunmen, abortion bombers, etc. How about the religious violence in all parts of the world in the name of God?

Free will and the right to choose; just as you have had the right to choose your God, we, non-religious individuals have the right to not choose a God, or those who are of a different religion.

As of today, you would be wrong; Seven states (currently) have mottos with reference to God. 

Source

Every state/territory/etc. motto:

State	Motto	Translation (if applicable)	Language	Year	Ref.
Alabama	Audemus jura nostra defendere	We dare defend our rights	Latin	01923 1923	[6]
Alaska	North to the future		English	01967 1967	[7]
American Samoa	Samoa, Muamua Le Atua	Samoa, let God be first	Samoan	01973 1973	[8]
Arizona	Ditat Deus	God enriches	Latin	01863 1863	[9][10]
Arkansas	Regnat populus	The people rule	Latin	01907 1907	[11][N 1]
California	Eureka	I have found it	Greek	01849 1849	[12][N 2]
Colorado	Nil sine numine	Nothing without God's will	Latin	01861-11-05 November 5, 1861	[13]
Connecticut	Qui transtulit sustinet	He who transplanted sustains	Latin	01662-10-09 October 9, 1662	[14]
Delaware	Liberty and Independence		English	01847 1847	[15]
District of Columbia	Justitia Omnibus	Justice for All	Latin	01871-08-03 August 3, 1871	[16]
Florida	In God We Trust		English	01868 1868	[17][N 3]
Georgia	Wisdom, justice, and moderation		English	01798 1798	[18][19]
Guam	—		—	—	[4]
Hawaii	Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono	The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness	Hawaiian	01843-07-31 July 31, 1843	[20][21][N 4]
Idaho	Esto perpetua	Let it be perpetual	Latin	01890 1890	[22]
Illinois	State sovereignty, national union		English	01819 1819	[23]
Indiana	The Crossroads of America		English	01937 1937	[24]
Iowa	Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain		English	01847 1847	[25]
Kansas	Ad astra per aspera	To the stars through adversity	Latin	01861 1861	[26]
Kentucky	United we stand, divided we fall Deo gratiam habeamus	Let us be grateful to God	English Latin	01942 1942 2002	[3]
Louisiana	Union, justice, confidence		English	01902 1902	[27]
Maine	Dirigo	I lead	Latin	01820 1820	[28]
Maryland	Fatti maschii, parole femine	Manly deeds, womanly words	Italian	01874 1874	[29][30]
Massachusetts	Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem	By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty	Latin	01775 1775	[31]
Michigan	Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice	If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you	Latin	01835-06-02 June 2, 1835	[32]
Minnesota	L'étoile du Nord	The star of the North	French	01861 1861	[33][N 5]
Mississippi	Virtute et armis	By valor and arms	Latin	01894-02-07 February 7, 1894	[34]
Missouri	Salus populi suprema lex esto	Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law	Latin	01822-01-11 January 11, 1822	[35]
Montana	Oro y plata	Gold and silver	Spanish	01865-02-09 February 9, 1865	[36]
Nebraska	Equality before the law		English	01867 1867	[37]
Nevada	All for our country		English	01866-02-24 February 24, 1866	[38]
New Hampshire	Live Free or Die		English	01945 1945	[39]
New Jersey	Liberty and prosperity		English	01928-03-26 March 26, 1928	[40]
New Mexico	Crescit eundo	It grows as it goes	Latin	01887 1887	[41][N 6]
New York	Excelsior	Ever upward	Latin	01778 1778	[42]
North Carolina	Esse quam videri	To be rather than to seem	Latin	01893 1893	[43]
North Dakota	Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable		English	01889 1889	[44]
Northern Mariana Islands	—		—	—	[4]
Ohio	With God, all things are possible		English	01959-10-01 October 1, 1959	[45]
Oklahoma	Labor omnia vincit	Labor conquers all things	Latin	01893-01 January 1893	[46][47][N 7]
Oregon	Alis volat propriis	She flies with her own wings	Latin	01854 1854	[48][N 8]
Pennsylvania	Virtue, Liberty, and Independence		English	01875 1875	[49]
Puerto Rico	Joannes Est Nomem Ejus	John is his name	Latin	01511 1511	[5][50][N 9]
Rhode Island	Hope		English	01664-05-04 May 4, 1664	[51]
South Carolina	Dum spiro spero Animis opibusque parati	While I breathe, I hope Ready in soul and resource	Latin	01777-05-22 May 22, 1777	[2]
South Dakota	Under God the people rule		English	01885 1885	[52]
Tennessee	Agriculture and commerce		English	01802-05-24 May 24, 1802	[53][N 10]
Texas	Friendship		English	01930 1930	[54]
Utah	Industry		English	01896-05-03 May 3, 1896	[55][N 11]
Vermont	Freedom and Unity		English	01779-02-20 February 20, 1779	[57]
Virginia	Sic semper tyrannis	Thus always to tyrants	Latin	01776 1776	[58]
Virgin Islands	United in Pride and Hope		English	01991-01-01 January 1, 1991	[59]
Washington	Al-ki (unofficial)	By and by	Chinook Jargon	—	[60]
West Virginia	Montani semper liberi	Mountaineers are always free	Latin	01863-09-26 September 26, 1863	[61]
Wisconsin	Forward		English	01851 1851	[62]
Wyoming	Equal Rights		English	01893 1893	[63]

*Sigh*  Always want proof....but when I supply it, you  guys go onto something else....here ya go!  I was talking about every single state preamble but I know, I used the term "motto" instead.  My bad.  Pick your State's Preamble.  Still think our country wasn't founded on Christian principles?  The whole enlightened thing?  It's a lie. 

Alabama 1901 , Preamble . We the people of the State
of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of
Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following
Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble . We, the people of Alaska,
grateful to God and to those who founded our nation
and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our
liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the
privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble . We, the People of the
State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our
freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble . We, the people of Colorado,
with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of
Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut,
acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of
God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble . Through Divine Goodness all
men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and
serving their Creator according to the dictates of
their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our
constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble . We, the people of Georgia,
relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God,
do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble . We , the people of Hawaii,
Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this
Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble . We, the people of the State of
Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to
secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil l,
political and religious liberty which He hath so long
permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a
blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble . We, the People of the State
of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free
exercise of the right to choose our form of
government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of
Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings
hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him
for a continuation of these blessings establish this
Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble . We, the people of Kansas,
grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious
privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the
Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the
civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil,
political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble</ FONT> . We the People of Maine
acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the
Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an
opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of
Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and
religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble . We...the people of
Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the
goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe .. In
the course of His Providence, an opportunity and
devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble le. We, the people of the
State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the
blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble . We, the people of the
State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and
religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its
blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble . We, the people of
Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Al
mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble . We, the people of Missouri,
with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the
Universe, and grateful for His goodness .. Establish
this Constitution .
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana,
grateful to Almighty God for the

blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble . We, the people, grateful to
Almighty God for our freedom .. Establish this
Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble . We the people of the State of
Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom
establish this Constitution
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V . Every
individual has a natural and unalienable right to
worship God according to the dictates of his own
conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State
of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and
religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us
to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our
endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble . We, the People of New
Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of
liberty
New York 1846, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom,
in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble . We the people of the
State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the
Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political,
and religious liberties, and acknowledging our
dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble . We , the people of North
Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of
civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble . We the people of the state of
Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to
secure its blessings and to promote our common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble . Invoking the guidance of
Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the
blessings of liberty ... establish this .
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All
men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their
consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of
Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the
blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly
invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the
State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the
civil and religious liberty which He hath so long
permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a
blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble . We, the people of he
State of South Carolina grateful to God for our
liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble . We, the people of South
Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and
religious liberties

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a
natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God
according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble . We the People of the Republic
of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and
beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble . Grateful to Almighty God for
life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought
to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy
their natural rights, and other blessings which the
Author of Existence has bestowed on man .
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the
Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by
Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to
practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity
towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble . We the People of the State
of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the
Universe for our liberties, do ordain this
Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble . Since through Divine
Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political
and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia
reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God
..
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble . We, the people of
Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom,
domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble . We, the people of the State
of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political,
and religious liberties .. establish this
Constitution.

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be
ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

You now remind me of Artysim who always believes that pointing out that others agree with him constitutes proof that he is right.

Notice two things:

1. Your examples are about state governments, not the federal government. Individual US states can probably be as Christian (or Hindu) as they want to be. It's the FEDERAL constitution that prohibits the FEDERAL government to endorse a religion, not individual state constitutions and individual state governments.

2. Proof for the occurence of something illegal does not prove its legality. That means that if something is against the constitution (for example an endorsement of a religion), it is illegal even if people break the law and do it anyway.

This is the mistake most people that do not believe in or understand religion make a lot. I pointed it out gently I will try a little stronger this time.

God is a generic title not the name of any one god or religion. For years the secularists have been trying to equate God with Christianity in order to have it removed from government. In God we trust is the nation submitting or acknowledging that there is a god and we as a nation trust in that God. Your god may be money, or a tree or the god of water or what have you. The nation is allowing for you to choose and submit to your beliefs without showing favor to any one religion or belief system. You trust in your god while I trust in my god but we all trust in God. God is not Christian or Muslim, or Hebrew, it is the title for the most high God of the Christians, Hebrew’s and Muslim’s. if you wish to worship the great pumpkin then that is your God. If you don’t believe in God then Chance is your god.

The argument for removing the word god from our currency is that it shows the governments favor of Christians and Jew’s but that was not the intent of the framers and founders of our nation. It was used to eliminate prayer in schools because it favored Christians. Funny how these same secularists don’t mind getting Christmas off as a paid Holiday. That is holy day. So when you (rhetorical you) are on Holiday and you wish to berate those mean stupid believers in a god you don’t know, remember that it is supposed to be a holy day, a day in which you are supposed to be thinking and reflecting on your religious beliefs not partying.

Simple, God, the personage said his name is not to be used. When you speak to Doctor Harris, you will call him Doctor because that is his title, it is capitalized because it is his title, just like the Master of a ship or ships captain is the title of the person in charge of the ship. They are job descriptions not actual names. If you have an MBA at the end of your name your name is not MBA but a rank you have earned. It is still proper to call you Master or Mister depending on where you are from.

The name of god is only mentioned a few times in the Bible and Torah, in most places it is just God said or the most high God said. That is because of the restriction of using the lord god’s name in vain. His name should be used only when communicating with him. If someone asks what you are mumbling about, you tell them you’re talking to God leave me alone. Every instance in the Torah or Bible where God tells someone to do something God tells that person this is the name you use. The God of Abraham sent me. The God of David told me to do X. I have never found in either book where God told someone to do anything in his name. Jesus said to go forth and preach in his name not the name of God. John the Baptist was to baptize in the name of the one who is to come.