America was not founded as a Christian nation. Even phrases like "God bless the President" which had fallen to the vernacular from "God bless the King" were phased out. Our founding fathers - the people who invented this country and delineated it from the world which later saw the advantages of our system verses a monarchy or a theocracy were adamant that the nation be a nation of citizens and not any one particular religion. Obama knows this well because he is a constitutional scholar - something not many presidents can say. John Adams - a former president and architect of this nation was adamantly aethiest - you can see a long list of his quotes on the subject here: http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/adams.htm Keep in mind that was in a time where to not believe in God was basically disallowed - so "God" became part of the vernacular of the time. It's sort of like when an athiest says "Thank God" today - it's just a phrase. But in the founding of this country there were many struggles to keep it religion free because many of the masses felt they needed something familiar - but the architects of the country fought to keep us a non-religious nation because they knew that this is what would allow us to thrive. And they were, obviously, right. However, there have been attempts over the years to change this. For example the "under god" phrase was NOT in the original pledge of allegience. This was added in 1954 - one of the most conservative eras in America's history when a new attempt was made to religious orient the country. In fact, this was later ruled unconstitutional. "in god we trust" on money first showed up in 1861 - that's almost a century after the nation began... again - not part of the original plan that made us work - this is an attempt to change the values of the country - not preserve them. Anyway - history is an important thing to keep in mind. The more these changes happen - the closer we became to a monarchy or theocracy and look at the nations ruled this way today. Is that what you want?

I understand this is a very controversial topic. It is encouraging to receive feedback on this topic and to discuss whether 'In God We Trust' and 'One Nation Under God' should be removed or kept within our system? Are "God related phrases" just lines within a sentence or a deeper meaning or relevance? =D

You asked me to comment on the bow. There is not a "bow" protocal in England. Go back 200 years and you had to never face away and bow three times a very particular way - but that has since been dropped as England became a more modern society and excessive protocols fell out of favor (while some still exist - but mostly if you are of a "lower class" i'm sure... the class system is still an issue for some nations). Anyway - I don't honestly know - but it looks to me like there is a protocol for bowing is Saudi Arabia. Obama likes to be respectful. he's the opposite of Bush in that way - he isn't concerned with little customs - if you want him to bow, he'll bow. But what he wants to do is engage everyone in a productive dialogue - that's where things matter. That's where things get done. If you get caught up in various little issues - we can't get the world in synch. (By the way - You are aware the the Bush family was very very friendly with the Bin Laden family and many in Saudi Arabia due to their oil ties, right? Not that this is a bad thing - but I've seen a lot of conservative sites trying to make it seem like Obama has some special relationship which is sort of odd all things considered.)

About "in god we trust" and "under god" - I think if "taking the lord's name in vain" is considered bad - then EVERYONE would want these removed. But the bottom line is that it's not in line with our constitution (as ruled by the 9th circuit court around 2000) - so it shouldn't be there. We need to keep going back to the original constitution to make sure what created the nation isn't lost.

This is a very sensitive topic, I studied Philosophy of Religion at college which was a very objective very of religion, but I was brought up going to church every sunday til I was 16. Given this, I think religion is the biggest cause of war and death the world has ever known. Although most religions have strong moral principles which conform with our modern concept of right & wrong. The one thing that is not factored into religion is the human pysche. Things such as ego, greed, lust, envy (essentially the 7 deadly sins) have obscured religion througout time and been used to pervert religion to serve man instead of serving god. As a result I think that it would be a good thing to differentiate between religion and the state and keep them completely separate. With religious law being a choice of lifestyle (for lack of a better phrase) and state law being something that all must abide by if they chose to leave in that state (in this case the US).

sorry, accidently pressed submit before I finished... ...So i believe that religious references in state law, constitution, national anthems etc. should not be there. As for changing the money... I believe HK did the same with the Queen's head on coins and royal crest's on buildings after 1997... Admittedly US money is much more circulated but could be easily done over a few years.

Watch the last clip. The White House responded that the 90 degree gesture was NOT a bow. It was simply a 'double-handshake' to a smaller guy. This could be viewed as a confirmation that terrorism has finally made a Head of State from the USA bow down. Despite USA presidential elections being one-to-two terms, the lack of inconsistencies to foreign leaders complicates their views of this country. In cases of good political reform, it gets redone or undone within 4 to 8 years. In bad foreign policies, this gets added to the textbooks of other countries. Not every change allows us to move progressively forward. I understand that we are trying to ask for help in loans from foreign funds (Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia). Our current losses are due to massive greed on Wall Street and Main Street banks/financial corporations, insurance companies etc. Given that we've trusted God and we've deviated from His path for a long time ... shouldn't we be going towards His teachings even more rather than deciding to further separate Church and State? China is very consistent with its political views. Islam is the same. The USA seems to be childlike and uncertain in its views. In one era they love God and another era we're going to separate. We are so very immature and haven't considered the outcome of no religious backbone. This could lead us into becoming an even more heartless nation divided in more ways than today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P4AWtqO21Q Comments from many ... help identify that the USA has not been consistent and they'd rather risk systemic risk rather than going back to our basic roots. In one Presidential Era you're kissing the Saudi King while attacking parts of Islam, another you're bowing to the Saudi King and the next we could be firing missiles. Meanwhile, at home, we have domestic unrest leading to Tea Party Gatherings. How sad. :(

Food for thought on 'mixing': If your doctor told you, s/he doesn't work on the throat when you had sore throat and only worked on the headache. Your life would be pretty miserable by having to make a second/third appointment with someone else. In the USA, General Motors, Lehman Brothers, Banks and the American taxpayer can be seen as unrelated and yet one affects the other. In fact, 300+ million tax payers have come together to payoff the debts caused by a few thousands of unscrupulous decision makers. The American people and the original Judeo-Christian beliefs that fueled this country's development needs to be reinvigorated, maintained and not depleted. Taking on 50-100 years of debt, the American people are holding onto God as the one last thread. If the USA can pull down the global financial system, we wouldn't want a country armed with this many nuclear weapons to have internal mental issues, riots and to accidentally misfire.

Gordon - you keep returning to the idea that the country was founded on Judeo-Christian values and that's just not true. Yes, the people of the time came from a world where God and church were crushingly prevalent but these were the people who believed the world was not flat - the people who welcomed change and progress. These were people who came here to escape the Christian based monarchy where King and God had been assimlated as much as possible to keep everyone in line. These are the people who fought against that Monarchy when it tried to take them over again. I honestly don't care about "in god we trust" on the money - I'd like to see it not removed, but simply not added to money because I think it pushes us twoards theocracy and our founding fathers worked so hard to keep government separate from religion. IF they are to blend, then lets PLEASE stop giving church's tax exemptions... can you imagine how much money that would bring into the ailing economy if we could start to get 35% of all the money the church's earn? Why shouldn't we? Every other organization has to pay the tax. If it's because they are somehow "outside of the government realm" then for goodness sake - let's keep them out of the realm. Let's take all references to God out of our pledge and money - otherwise, let's let them pay their fair share. Can't have it both ways.

I agree with Peachy about that photo by the way. If I had time, I'd find the original picture and replace the text with "America Will Eat Corn Dogs" just to make my point.

Unfortunately Enigma, the word God itself is a Christian word. No other religion uses the word "God" as the name of their Creator. Islam - Allah Judaism - HaShem, Adonai (or written- Yahweh) Hindu's - Brahman (or various incarnations - Vishnu, Krishna, hakti etc.) Sikhism - Waheguru, Vahiguru Buddhisn - Nirvana (not really a god but rather a state of enlightenment) Christianity - God So when it says "In God We Trust" that pretty much means only one religion. And by the way, yes it is pretty ludicrous!! lol

The broader definitions of religious freedom is what has led to criticisms of the United States' harboring of cults by France & Germany. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cults_and_governments#United_States The United States is the most unique in its representation of financial turmoil, bisexual marriages, legalizing 45 million abortions since 1973, holding the most nuclear weapons, the most % of obese epidemic cases, the most exercise machines & weight-loss gurus (Ab-Flex, Jane Fonda, George Foreman etc), the most military weapons, the most interested in other country's policies, the most Universities, the pegged currency (allowing it unlimited borrowing power), the most petroleum consumption, the first to throw a nationwide Tea Party in 2009 and possibly the first to put God on $ AND then repealing this statement etc, etc, etc Cont'd: Also the first to advertise the benefits of genetic modification and allow public stock trading (i.e. NYSE:MON) Also the first administration (aka FDA-Food & Drug Administration) to approve that it does not need to inform citizens they are taking cows that are 'related' to gene modification programs ... http:www.cyagra.com Toll Free Telephone: 1-866-783-6226 If we analyzed these actions carefully, it would seem to be schizophrenic at best without any indication of a solid direction. Of course, the broadened usage of the word 'freedom' has enamored so many who have yet to be reminded freedom should also come with responsibility. Nevertheless based on this trend, I am confident that the global crisis will recover itself because the world is willing to financially back the United States' errors in any shape or form. This means that we have evolved into a global society with the willingness to have limitless forgiveness regardless of the consequences. In many ways, this is necessary to reach the next level of the bubble. Interestingly, some less popular critics would call this as crazy/irresponsible/directionless. Regardless of the turmoil, everyday I am facing many families who are the hardworking folks willing to bear down and to take these additional burdens. They've never been greedy about anything just an honest days living. Haven't complained. This is what has made America. I thank them even more for their tolerance, willpower and inner strength. God bless them all! What say you? =D

The random list of things you describe are most attributable to interest groups trying to force their way. This is why it seems to be "schizophrenic." It's a dangerous thing when interest groups can control a country... which is precicely why I say we need to simplify and stop trying to let the government control everything. I'm always confused how conservatives will argue for smaller government and then argue that there should be no gay marriage and women should not have choice... that's not smaller government - that's BIGGER government. These actions are taking away rights - which is basically taking away freedom. Not a healthy direction for the "land of the free."

Gov't is made of people, by the people for the people. If we had less gov't and more free markets and greed (aka capitalism gone wild) ... this has led to the greatest financial tsunami on Earth. Many people on AnD still support Obama and I am glad to see it but I am also very concerned that they are unaware that a massive group is building on 15 April 2009 to erupt their emotions on Obama and his administration. They have stated this is only the beginning and they plan to fight, obstruct and stop misappropriation of taxes until the end. Is this random? I am not certain. China believes the USA is out of control on the policies, multi-directional on its people and in a time of crisis, we need to go back to our roots (this being Christian based and invigorate a greater cause beyond the self amongst our people). Unless that takes place and we start to refocus our policies at home rather than abroad, the turmoil will not be fixed. The videos posted in the next blog is only the very beginning of a large revolt and separation of ideals that is coming. This is not good!! Politicians are calling this mutiny a crime and possible threat to national security. Some have even mentioned violations of the Patriot Act: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act All we know more turmoil doesn't fix the economy. Letting society dictate their own course: Laissez fair is a dangerous game when a revolt the size of 50-100 million is happening at the grassroots. It is very sad indeed :(

HMMMM... is really all i can say..