In God We Trust vs. E Pluribus Unum

The official national motto of the United States is 'In God We Trust' . This motto did not replace a previous motto, it has not always been our motto and, in fact, it is a relatively new motto, but it is the only official motto the United States has ever had. Its adoption as the national motto was possibly in reaction to a fear of growing skepticism towards religion resulting in surges of increased religious zeal.

In God We Trust first appeared on coins thanks to an early push by Reverend M. R. Watkinson and his supporters who petitioned the Treasury Department in 1861 requesting they add a statement recognizing "Almighty God in some form in our coins." Soon after the motto was approved as an officially accepted phrase that could be used on US currency. It began to appear on some coins in 1864 and by 1938, most US coins have borne the motto. In 1956 the US adopted In God We Trust as the national motto (H.J. Resolution 396) and a year later all currency bore the phrase.

What about E Pluribus Unum?

E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One) is one of several phases found on the National Seals and is generally considered to refer to the union of states. A very similar phrase appears in English on early American currency. The phrase We Are One appears on the 'Continental Dollar' as well as the 'Fugio Cent' (pictured below), early American currency produced in 1776 and 1787 respectively. The sentiment was ancient but the phrase may have been borrowed from The Gentleman's Magazine, a popular and long running publication of the time that used E Pluribus Unum on its title page.

E Pluribus Unum was first suggested by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, an artist living in Philadelphia, who was a contributor to the first draft of the Great Seal of the United States. He used the phrase on this early seal design that was submitted for approval by congressional committee in August of 1776. This first draft for the Great Seal was never used but aspects of it were incorporated into the final design approved in 1782, one of which was the phrase E Pluribus Unum, one of three Latin phrases adopted at this time.

E Pluribus Unum and the sentiment it conveys was obviously embraced by the founding fathers and those who came after. Although never codified by law, it was considered the de facto motto of the United States as it also appears on the seals of the President, the Vice President, Congress, the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Supreme Court and, eventually, every coin and paper currency issued by the United States by 1873.

Two mottos, Two Very Different Sentiments

E Pluribus Unum is an all inclusive statement of strength in unity. We are a union of states and by extension we are a union of people who populate these states. While separated by state boundaries, we remain unified as Americans, all parts making up a greater whole. It is a phrase that was obviously embraced by a majority of our founding fathers as is evidenced by its extensive use.

In God We Trust conveys the idea that all Americans believe in God since you must believe in a God to trust it. This motto suggests that if one does not believe in a higher power, one must not be American. Such a statement was most likely true for the most part at the founding of our nation but by the time it was adopted as our national motto in 1956, this statement was arguably less universally true. Its affect would become the exact opposite of E Pluribus Unum, it would be an exclusive and divisive statement meant to elevate believers and marginalize those who do not.

Our Founding Fathers did not balk at mentioning God when they deemed it appropriate. God as a creator is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence thus the precedence for referring to a higher power was set very early on. While our founding fathers had wildly different views on God, Religion and their place in government, most if not all seemed to profess some form of faith in a God. It cannot be denied that this nation was founded by people who accepted and believe in a creator of some form if not an organized religion. There was no reticence in referencing God but with their obvious fondness for the phrase E Pluribus Unum, would they see In God We Trust and the sentiment this phrase conveys as ideal?

The fact is the founders seemed to find little need to make such an absolute and overt official announcement regarding the religious characterization of our nation when such a characterization was true. Would they see a need today at a time when a growing number of Americans no longer believe in a God (anywhere between 6%-15% depending on the poll) let alone trust in one?

A national motto is a simple phrase that serves to express in just a few words a defining message about our nation. One tells the world "We stand United" while the other says "We believe in God". One reads like a strong characterization of a nation of states and citizens bound together within a union, the other reads like a phrase one might read on the message board outside a Church. Any objections to references to a creator or a God by the state put aside, and regardless of one's beliefs and religious affiliations, an all inclusive message of strength in unity as opposed to an exclusive statement of belief in the divine may still seem the more ideal message to define our nation.