LB178 In God We Trust

NFFV Action Request

Upcoming Education Hearing

Monday, March 6, 2023

1:30 PM, Room 1525

Support

LB178 Require Display of the National Motto in Schools

"In God We Trust"

What is the history around our national motto?

It was during one of the darkest times in our nation's history that the idea of having a motto on our currency would remind citizens that God was with them. The time was November 13, 1861 and the nation was in the midst of a civil war. After several years, on April 22, 1864 Congress approved the Coinage Act. The first display of "In God We Trust" took place on the two-cent coin.

Is that the whole story?

It doesn't end there. During the cold war when our nation was facing the ever growing presence of communism lead by the Soviet Union, the National Motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ was created by an act of Congress. The bill was signed into law on July 30th 1956 by President Eisenhower.

The change was made to affirm the difference between the United States and the atheist and communist Soviet Union, our great enemy in that period of history.

What can we learn from those two enablers for "In God We Trust" becoming our motto?

Our nation's foundation was and is built on a belief in God. When times appear dark and when our enemies seem strong, we look to God for strength, courage, love, and forgiveness. What better place to show this than in our schools. Check out LB178.

Where is he?

If you just looked on the surface you may be lead to believe our nation's trust in God has vanished. If you believe that, look no further than Damar Hamlin and the reaction to his on the field medical emergency. Count how many times the word pray(er) was used during the games broadcast or the number of scenes showing players in prayer. Check out this video showing prayer on ESPN of all places. God shows himself in the most unexpected ways.

Need more evidence? Have you heard about the Asbury Revival? In a small Wilmore, KY school, Asbury University, a Revival started with continued worship and prayer which lasted for weeks. This Revival quickly spread beyond the school reaching Christians globally. Here is a good summary of the Revival in where Asbury president Kevin Brown was quoted; "We are seeing just a hunger from students and a hunger from guests and visitors whose hearts are stirred and who are desiring something greater".

Can Nebraska reaffirm its faith in God by passing LB178 similar to what was done during the civil war and cold war. Asbury's Revival shows we're ready!

Does this violate First Amendment Rights?

Our nations motto of "In God We Trust" has withstood the test of time. Courts have again and again upheld that it does not violate the separation of church and state. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once stated “I believe that government can, in a discrete category of cases, acknowledge or refer to the divine without offending the Constitution”.

How Can I help?

Take action, your voice is powerful make it heard. LB178 committee hearing is scheduled Monday, March 6, 2023.

How to be heard? Here are three ways:

Most Effective: Testify in person. Going to the Committee hearing and sharing YOUR story with committee member Senators is very impactful. For first time in person testifier here are some helpful hints.
Very Effective: Submit written testimony. If you can't be there in person then submit written testimony. Not sure how to do that, click here. Note; written testimony needs to be submitted by noon the business day before the committee hearing.
Effective: Email your position letter to the Committee Senators and CC your own Senator. For a listing of the Education Committee Senators click here. Note; emails need to be sent by noon the business day before the committee hearing. It's not likely these emails will be included in official hearing minutes though there is a better chance Committee Senators will see your comments. You can request they be added to meeting minutes in your email to Committee Senators.

Not sure what to say?

Listed below are thought starters. Build your story around one or two of them. Quantity is not as important as a short heart felt personal story.

Here are three strong arguments to support this bill on:

There is a long history of public support for our national motto and a strong history of support in our courts. One interesting and import fact, ALL 50 States acknowledge God in their “State Constitutions”.

There are countless promotional items being displaying in our schools that have no official national recognition. It's time to display our national motto.

As we see atheist and Marxist ideologies become more prevalent in our society it is time to reaffirm what separates the United States from these ideologies. We place are faith in God now, similar to what was done during the cold war. Events like Damar Hamlin's on field medical emergency and Asbury's Revival show us the time is right!

NEBRASKANS FOR FOUNDERS' VALUES

Board of Directors Team