Andrew Yang seems pretty awesome

Quote: rxwine

Not really a fan of a nation defining itself as religious based entity. Because that will never define all the people who live there and is automatically exclusionary in appearance if not in practice

Same with the USA being called a Christian nation and Islamic nations.

But I wouldn't be a fan of specifically defining a nation as atheist either. Because that would also be exclusionary.

I agree 100%. I love the U.S. because it is and was founded as a secular country (which is not atheist, it means that all religions and non-religious are respected, but none are favored). This was beyond revolutionary in the 1700s (it still is). Even most of Europe still has a State religion.

As for Isreal, I agree, it is wrong to call it a Jewish county, but it is surrounded by religious countries so that region is complicated, so it kind of gets a pass. I generally support Israel.

While I agree the USA is a secular country, I do note there are still examples of religion in government.

Would a truly secular nation have "In god we trust" on its currency?

Quote: missedhervee

While I agree the USA is a secular country, I do note there are still examples of religion in government.

Would a truly secular nation have "In god we trust" on its currency?

That is very modern (the founding fathers would not approve). It was added in the 1950s to thumb at atheistic countries like the USSR during the height of the cold War. Its not a great defense (and it should be removed from both the pledge and the currency), but that is the orgins.

Contrary to popular belief, the original version did not contain anything about God or Gods.....

Interesting, thanks for that info.

Quote: Gandler

That is very modern (the founding fathers would not approve). It was added in the 1950s to thumb at atheistic countries like the USSR during the height of the cold War. Its not a great defense (and it should be removed from both the pledge and the currency), but that is the orgins.

Contrary to popular belief, the original version did not contain anything about God or Gods.....

Contrary to some peoples beliefs US coins started using "In God We Trust" during the civil war.

Quote: kenarman

Contrary to some peoples beliefs US coins started using "In God We Trust" during the civil war.

Some special coins (very rare), it was added to all Federal currency and the pledge in the 50s. It replaced "from many, one" (in latin), which is objectively a better motto.

The coin you are referring to was basically a collectors coin during the Civil War and briefly after to raise money, it was not on the currency in any regular sense until the 1950s.... Nor the pledge (which in some ways is more objectionable).

Quote: Gandler

He deserves to be Mayor of New York.

Yang was ahead in the Primary race polls by double digits. He is now tied with Eric Adams, who just received an endorsement from the NY Post. Adams will win the nomination, even if there is a runoff.

Quote: Gandler

Some special coins (very rare), it was added to all Federal currency and the pledge in the 50s. It replaced "from many, one" (in latin), which is objectively a better motto.

The coin you are referring to was basically a collectors coin during the Civil War and briefly after to raise money, it was not on the currency in any regular sense until the 1950s.... Nor the pledge (which in some ways is more objectionable).

Not sure where you got that nonsense.

"In 1864, Congress passed the Coinage Act so that adaptations could be made to U.S. currency, and on April 22, "IN GOD WE TRUST" was first printed on the two-cent coin."

"However, Theodore Roosevelt took issue with the motto, considering its usage "dangerously close to sacrilege." Still, it remained for decades. In fact, the omission of the slogan on the 1907 Indian Head eagle coin caused public outrage and prompted Congress to pass a bill mandating its inclusion on all coins."

Quotes are from 'The Street'.

Quote: Gandler

That is very modern (the founding fathers would not approve). It was added in the 1950s to thumb at atheistic countries like the USSR during the height of the cold War. Its not a great defense (and it should be removed from both the pledge and the currency), but that is the orgins.

Contrary to popular belief, the original version did not contain anything about God or Gods.....

Thanks
Never knew that

Quote: kenarman

Not sure where you got that nonsense.

"In 1864, Congress passed the Coinage Act so that adaptations could be made to U.S. currency, and on April 22, "IN GOD WE TRUST" was first printed on the two-cent coin."

"However, Theodore Roosevelt took issue with the motto, considering its usage "dangerously close to sacrilege." Still, it remained for decades. In fact, the omission of the slogan on the 1907 Indian Head eagle coin caused public outrage and prompted Congress to pass a bill mandating its inclusion on all coins."

Quotes are from 'The Street'.

Alright this is is silly, here is the history from the treasury's website:

https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx

There were coins during and after the Civil War due to some religious pressure and also the need to gain funds. It was not commonplace until the 1950-1960s when it was adopted as the standard motto on most bills and coins (the periods of the 50-60 it spread through various paperbills and other coins). It was added to the Pledge of Allegiance during 1954.....

This is the rollout history for paper money (IE what most people carry and use):

DENOMINATION PRODUCTION DELIVERY
$1 Federal Reserve Note February 12, 1964 March 11, 1964
$5 United States Note January 23, 1964 March 2, 1964
$5 Federal Reserve Note July 31, 1964 September 16, 1964
$10 Federal Reserve Note February 24, 1964 April 24, 1964
$20 Federal Reserve Note October 7, 1964 October 7, 1964
$50 Federal Reserve Note August 24, 1966 September 28, 1966
$100 Federal Reserve Note August 18, 1966 September 27, 1966