U.S. Senate candidate wants ‘In God We Trust’ motto in all schools

A state representative from Allegheny County, who is running for U.S. Senate, wants the “In God We Trust” motto displayed prominently in all public schools in Pennsylvania and has introduced bills twice to try to get it to happen.

“God has been an important part of the American culture since our founding,” said Republican candidate Rick Saccone, who announced that he wants U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s seat. Casey, a Democrat, is seeking another six-year term in 2018.

Saccone is one of several potential GOP candidates. Among them is U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, whose district includes parts of Carbon County.

Saccone is a conservative who believes that “we need to turn our nation back to God.” As to how this might be at odds with the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Saccone said that it is misunderstood. He points to more than 50 quotes from the Bible located at prime locations throughout the Capitol in Harrisburg.

The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.” This clause not only forbids the government from establishing an official religion, but also prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. It also prohibits the government from showing a preference for religion over nonreligion, or nonreligion over religion.

Saccone also indicated that “In God We Trust,” which became the United States’ official motto in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was proposed for inclusion on U.S. coins and bills by former Pennsylvania Gov. James Pollock, who served between 1855-58. President Abraham Lincoln, who appointed Pollock as director of the Philadelphia Mint, authorized the motto’s use in 1864 during the Civil War.

Saccone said that practicing faith was becoming increasingly difficult for believers, because America has turned its back on God. He also said that religious liberties of people are being trampled and said the country needs to “return to God.”

“I look at all the evidence on every issue. That’s how I make my decisions. Do I have a world view that is Biblical? Yes, but I look at all the evidence, always have,” Saccone said.

The candidate does not mind being compared to President Donald Trump, whom Saccone supported in 2016. “I was Trump before there was Trump,” Saccone declared. He said he ran for the state Legislature on the same issues Trump did in 2016. “I sometimes say, ‘I’m Trump without the money.’ ”

During the last session of the General Assembly, Saccone introduced the National Motto Display Act, which he and other proponents said would have a unifying force. The bill would require schools to display in a prominent way the “In God We Trust” motto.

“Our country is very divided today, and celebrating the motto can help unite us,” Saccone said. “Whether you believe in God or not, it’s here to inspire us.” Saccone underscored the historical value of the move, noting its being used originally on 2-cent coins during the Civil War.

The House passed the bill, 179-20, but it stalled in the Senate. Saccone introduced a similar bill in 2013, but it went nowhere.

Critics question its constitutionality, saying that it violates the separation of church and state.

A representative for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the same group that has brought suit against the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners for refusing to remove a cross from the county seal, criticized the bill.

Elizabeth Cavell, an attorney with the foundation, said it equates belief in God and religiosity with patriotism. “That’s wrong to do in public schools where students are of all religions and of no religion,” she said.

Her group sued Saccone and other legislators over a 2012 resolution declaring 2012 the “Year of the Bible.”

However well-intentioned legislators such as Saccone are in attempting to force public entities to display controversial signs with religious overtones, we caution against going down this slippery slope.

If this type of proposal becomes law, there are sure to be multiple lawsuits, which will be costly, even though legal precedent sides with the use of the motto.

The In God We Trust America Inc. organization, based in Bakersfield, California, has been encouraging municipalities across the country to display the motto, and more than 650 have. Courts generally have upheld its use, even though there have been numerous lawsuits challenging its constitutionality.

Some legal experts believe that if the motto is displayed in a historical context, rather than alongside religious icons, such as the Ten Commandments, it should not be a problem.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com