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House Republicans push forward with 'In God We Trust' for all state buildings

Randy Krehbiel Mar 2, 2021 Updated 11 hrs ago

The nation’s future may rest on the words “In God We Trust” being inscribed in all 342 state-owned buildings, the Oklahoma House of Representatives decided Monday. ... In truth, the House Republicans decided, because the House Democrats judged the measure pointless at best and obnoxious at worst and cast all 19 votes against House Bill 2085, by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

Republicans said the measure will help preserve history and unite Americans. Democrats countered that if unity was the issue, the Great Seal’s “E Pluribus Unum” — “out of many, one” — would be more appropriate. ... “That goes back to 1782,” said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City. “It predates the Constitution.”

“In God We Trust” traces its origins to the closing words of the fourth and final verse of “The Defence of Fort M’Henry,” a poem that when set to music became known as “The Star Spangled Banner.” ... It became the national motto in 1956.

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A similar bill passed the House last year but failed to get a hearing in the House because of the COVID-shortened session. At that time, Steagall initially presented the bill in terms of religious heritage, saying, “It is impossible to separate church from state.” ... Steagall quickly changed course, though, and Monday pointed to language in HB 2085 that says “In God We Trust” is not meant to promote a particular religion. ... Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, challenged that, noting the bill “does not say ‘In Buddha We Trust.”

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