Freethought & Rationalism Archive

alphasoixante1 · 07-08-2002, 02:49 PM

I'd just like to suggest to atheists and openminded theists everywhere that we begin a direct action campaign concerning one aspect of the separation of church and state. Our money tells us that we trust in god. Like the pledge of allegiance, it's futile to voluntarily opt-out, since both the pledge and our money attempt to speak for all ("WE trust" and "ONE NATION under")--in other words, they SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF. You don't have to participate, because they will participate for you.

How do we bring about proper separation of church and state on this issue? My advice: use cissors! Cut out whatever does not represent you on your bills. Cut out "trust", if you have none, "God", if you have none, or simply crop the whole phrase. As long as more than half of the bill is intact, it will still be legal tender. If you prefer to avoid the hassle of convincing people that's the modified bills are good, just use a pen or marker to edit the god-clause. Make
your money speak on your own behalf. Cross out "god" and write in something that you do place your trust in: nothing, reason, humanity, love, allah, jesus, money, science, elvis, whatever you please, since this bill will be speaking ONLY FOR YOU, and not for all americans. Cross out "we" and write in the word "I", just to emphasize the point.

Above all, pass on the word. Start an e-mail campaign, get others to participate. Enlist the help of all openminded people, including those of
religious faith who support the separation of church and state. Get the word out on any websites dealing with the issue of religion and government. Feel free to copy this message and circulate it, if you'd like.

Imagine an america of circulating currency that truthfully reflects the diversity of beliefs and opinion that actually exists in our country. Imagine the horror and hooplah that might be made by the narrowminded as they discover an "epidemic" of godless currency. It could be fun, and it could draw attention to the bigger issues surrounding the relation of church and state, even providing a media platform from which enlightened views on the matter could be heard by the general public. Even if nothing of the sort results, somewhere someone will be looking at your bill and recognizing the very simple but
powerful truth of "hey, not everyone thinks as I do." what they make of that fact is up to them.

alphasoixante

Toto · 07-08-2002, 03:52 PM

I advise anyone not to physically mutilate your currency. Why make life difficult? It is quite enough to cross out "God" if you think that's worthwhile.

Lady MacDuff · 07-08-2002, 04:07 PM

Quote:

I advise anyone not to physically mutilate your currency. Why make life difficult?

Quite right. It is hard enough to get a wrinkled old dollar into a pop machine already...

Black magic marker in hand, I am fetching my wallet right now!

eowynn · 07-08-2002, 04:44 PM

Great idea, but what about coin money? As much as I like to deface government property, I am not about to spend that much time to file the word "God" off my quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, and wouldn't marker come off?

[Edited to correct spelling]

[ July 08, 2002: Message edited by: eowynn ]</p>

One of the last sane · 07-08-2002, 04:51 PM

Don't use a file, use a punch. Flatten God!

Buffman · 07-08-2002, 10:34 PM

As I recall, some years back, there was a actually a company from whom you could order ink stamps and coin presses do do exatly what has been recommended. Numerous solicitations to do so have been made in these forums for at least the time I have been here.

I agree with Toto.

Toto · 07-08-2002, 10:52 PM

<a href="http://www.godoffmoney.com" target="_blank">godoffmoney.com</a> used to sell a stamp, but they got into a little trouble, so they recommend you make or buy your own stamp. Their <a href="http://www.godoffmoney.com/faq/" target="_blank">FAQ</a> is informative on the issue.

Megatron · 07-09-2002, 03:32 AM

I take the time to cross "God" out on all my bills just for fun - mostly just to see if I get any back from a cashier's drawer one day, not really to make any sort of statement.

Jack · 07-09-2002, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lurker:
<strong>I take the time to cross "God" out on all my bills just for fun - mostly just to see if I get any back from a cashier's drawer one day, not really to make any sort of statement.</strong>

How about ADDING to the currency? Just write, under the motto, "all others pay cash."

Jack

07-08-2002, 02:49 PM	#1
alphasoixante1 New Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Paris, France Posts: 1	You can separate church and state NOW! Here's how... I'd just like to suggest to atheists and openminded theists everywhere that we begin a direct action campaign concerning one aspect of the separation of church and state. Our money tells us that we trust in god. Like the pledge of allegiance, it's futile to voluntarily opt-out, since both the pledge and our money attempt to speak for all ("WE trust" and "ONE NATION under")--in other words, they SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF. You don't have to participate, because they will participate for you. How do we bring about proper separation of church and state on this issue? My advice: use cissors! Cut out whatever does not represent you on your bills. Cut out "trust", if you have none, "God", if you have none, or simply crop the whole phrase. As long as more than half of the bill is intact, it will still be legal tender. If you prefer to avoid the hassle of convincing people that's the modified bills are good, just use a pen or marker to edit the god-clause. Make your money speak on your own behalf. Cross out "god" and write in something that you do place your trust in: nothing, reason, humanity, love, allah, jesus, money, science, elvis, whatever you please, since this bill will be speaking ONLY FOR YOU, and not for all americans. Cross out "we" and write in the word "I", just to emphasize the point. Above all, pass on the word. Start an e-mail campaign, get others to participate. Enlist the help of all openminded people, including those of religious faith who support the separation of church and state. Get the word out on any websites dealing with the issue of religion and government. Feel free to copy this message and circulate it, if you'd like. Imagine an america of circulating currency that truthfully reflects the diversity of beliefs and opinion that actually exists in our country. Imagine the horror and hooplah that might be made by the narrowminded as they discover an "epidemic" of godless currency. It could be fun, and it could draw attention to the bigger issues surrounding the relation of church and state, even providing a media platform from which enlightened views on the matter could be heard by the general public. Even if nothing of the sort results, somewhere someone will be looking at your bill and recognizing the very simple but powerful truth of "hey, not everyone thinks as I do." what they make of that fact is up to them. alphasoixante

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-08-2002, 03:52 PM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	I advise anyone not to physically mutilate your currency. Why make life difficult? It is quite enough to cross out "God" if you think that's worthwhile.

07-08-2002, 04:44 PM	#4
eowynn Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 58	Great idea, but what about coin money? As much as I like to deface government property, I am not about to spend that much time to file the word "God" off my quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, and wouldn't marker come off? [Edited to correct spelling] [ July 08, 2002: Message edited by: eowynn ]</p>

07-08-2002, 04:51 PM	#5
One of the last sane Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: hereabouts Posts: 734	Don't use a file, use a punch. Flatten God!

07-08-2002, 10:34 PM	#6
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	As I recall, some years back, there was a actually a company from whom you could order ink stamps and coin presses do do exatly what has been recommended. Numerous solicitations to do so have been made in these forums for at least the time I have been here. I agree with Toto.

07-08-2002, 10:52 PM	#7
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	<a href="http://www.godoffmoney.com" target="_blank">godoffmoney.com</a> used to sell a stamp, but they got into a little trouble, so they recommend you make or buy your own stamp. Their <a href="http://www.godoffmoney.com/faq/" target="_blank">FAQ</a> is informative on the issue.

07-09-2002, 03:32 AM	#8
Megatron Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York Posts: 5,441	I take the time to cross "God" out on all my bills just for fun - mostly just to see if I get any back from a cashier's drawer one day, not really to make any sort of statement.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.