How disappointing that the Clark County councilors have chosen to display the motto “In God We Trust” on the public hearing meeting room wall. I believe they have completely missed how much this motto offends people of different faiths. Evidently, they have missed the fact that the capitalized form of “god” is used principally to refer to the Christian deity. The councilors could appreciate how offensive the above mentioned motto is to a member of the Hindu faith if they read the motto “In Vishnu We Trust” on the county room wall. It is no less offensive to a Buddhist to read the motto “In God We Trust” displayed on a public wall than it is for a Christian believer to see a display of a motto like “In Buddha We Trust.”
Our forefathers (many of whom came here to escape religious persecution) endeavored to create a nation where all religions can be observed or eschewed. I believe they would be ashamed of our councilors who have chosen to conspicuously display a motto that touts the Christian faith to the exclusion of other equally important religions.
George Shipley
Vancouver
