Please protest a vote by the commissioners of Pittsburg County, Okla., to post the motto "In God We Trust" in the county courthouse. According to an article in the McAlester News-Capital, the resolution wording was supplied to the county in a letter from an attorney "involved with several Christian legal groups" who lives in Springfield, Mo.
FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor wrote a letter to the Pittsburg County Commission on Aug. 14, 2011, objecting to the posting of this divisive, religious phrase. They pointed out, "To be accurate it would have to read 'In God Some Of Us Trust,' and wouldn't that be silly?" They also noted the "clear . . . record of intent" that the phrase would be posted to endorse Christianity and "to misleadingly suggest that our nation was founded upon belief in a deity."
Talking Points
For maximum effectiveness, do not forward this Action Alert to elected officials or members of the media. Feel free to copy and past the language below or, better yet, use your own words! We are pleased to receive "blind" copies of your letters at [email protected].
Posting the phrase "In God We Trust" in the county courthouse is unnecessary and divisive, excluding all Pittsburg County residents who don't believe in a god or who believe in many gods. The original motto of the United States, "E pluribus unum," meaning "Out of many, one," is by nature inclusive of all Americans and would be much more suitable for the courthouse wall.
(You can get ideas for other arguments from FFRF's letter or from the article in the News-Capital.)
Contact
Pittsburg County Commissioners
Kevin Smith, Chair
Gene Rogers
Ronnie Young
c/o County Courthouse
115 E Carl Albert Pkwy
McAlester, OK 74501-5020
Phone: (918) 423-1338
FAX: (918) 423-7321
Email: [email protected]
Media Contact
The McAlester News-Capital
Letters to the Editor
P.O. Box 987
McAlester, OK 74502
Email: [email protected]
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Action Alert by Eleanor Wroblewski.
