Motto Bashing by Unbelievers

Motto Bashing by Unbelievers

Dear Editor:

Now the Humanist Society, the American Atheists and their ally, the American Civil Liberties Union, want to force us to change our state motto. These neighbors constitute less than 5 per cent of our population but they have learned from others that a noisy, demanding minority can impose their views on a complacent majority.

To yield to their arrogant demands is to submit to the tyranny of a minority. History records many cases of such tyranny. A tiny handful of fiercely anti-Christian revolutionaries imposed their Reign of Terror on France. A small band of dedicated, ruthless Communist Party members imposed their will on millions of Russians. They too were militantly anti-Christian.

Our motto, older than our state, is "Ditat Deus," which means "God Enriches. "It is entirely appropriate, as much so today as when our pioneer forefathers toiled to turn this desert into a habitable land for them and their children.

The explorers who discovered and brought Western Civilization to this continent believed in God. Most of those who built the nation from its infancy also believed. Those who fashioned our government and framed our fundamental laws were believers. Their faith is written into our great documents, engraved on our public buildings and monuments and imprinted on our money.

Who are these mote hunters who wish to chisel away the manifestations of faith and gratitude expressed by us and our fore bearers? "Which God," they ask, "is to be honored?" The motto leaves each citizen free to be thankful to his own concept of a Supreme Being. It even allows the objectors to be thankful to their higher power, Atheos, which is better known as No-God or Man-God.

The majority of Americans, being believers in God, freely and gladly respect the rights of their unbelieving neighbors to hold their views and practice their faith, such as it is. Perhaps a class in social ethics would help the objectors do the same for us.

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