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The conflict of interest of ‘In God We Trust’ and the Federal Reserve Note: How this relates to Pastor Wright’s commentary
“God damn America” an excerpt, from the intriguing commentary by The Rev. Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ; has caused such an uproar with the American media, that this ‘alleged’ inflammatory rhetoric is somehow related to being Anti-American, is simply ludicrous. Incidentally, one may also preclude that the collective conscience of White America’s backlash against Rev. Wright, is primarily due to guilt by association of race, white privilege and the United States insatiable diet for the accumulation of wealth and power, at any cost. If history provides any sense of accuracy, Rev. Wright’s comments should be further explored and embraced by both White and Black America, if both groups are to move forward with any chance of honest dialogue.
For example, let’s examine the rationale of why ‘In God We Trust’ was printed on the first series of Federal Reserve Notes [primarily the $1] on February 12, 1964. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of Treasury in 1861, responded to an overwhelming appeal from [white] religious persons that the United States should recognize God on its’ coins. What was interesting about Salmon Chase- was his thesis “Slave Power conspiracy.” The premise held that slave holders “dominated national politics and used their control to promote the interests of the peculiar institution.” Moreover, there are contrasting views to this particular observation among 21st historians over slave trade, which in my opinion, one can [still] draw inferences in our current climate to the debate of racism, capitalism and greed as it relates to African Americans.
There are several speculations of why there was a Civil War in America. Many historians believe that political issues and disagreements dated back after the American Revolution ended in 1782. As a result, these disagreements continued to fester between the years 1800-1860: Particularly, between the North and South. There is also the recognition that slavery had been apart of life in America since the early colonial period and became more acceptable, and therefore more profitable. Consequently, many historians believe that the events leading to 1860 served as a baseline that ultimately sealed the deal for the Civil War.
Listed below is a partial manuscript of a letter from Rev. M.R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Pennsylvania:
“One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.
You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the all seeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW.”
Mammon is used in the New Testament of the King James Version to describe material wealth or greed. Furthermore, mammon has also been described as a false god. The utilization of mammon within the context of this commentary is valid, due to the debate at hand. Considering the time gap between 1861 and 1964 (nearly 103 years) one can speculate how the debate evolved. The separation of church and state was surely a hot topic, especially during the 1950’s. Many believe [today] that the 1950’s was probably the best era for the United States.
If in fact money represents a false God, why would “Christians” or those that categorized themselves as religious, insist upon a currency bearing ‘In God We Trust’ realizing this conflict of interest? Perhaps, individuals like Rev. Watkinson believed this course of action would help the United States in 1861 escape the doldrums of its’ collective conscience. Unfortunately, the same form of “escapism” or guilt by association is quite pervasive (today) in White America. As this guilt continues to plague White America the media’s backlash against Rev. Wright’s commentary was evident.
Those that were opposed to the slave trade and the Civil War, were afraid the United States was on a slippery slope to heathendom. Rev. Watkinson of Pennsylvania not only opposed the Civil War, but he also opposed the Slave Trade.
But one has to speculate about Rev. Watkinson’s true motivation in 1861. Was the rationale of his letter to Secretary Chase out of fear, because of the South or was he truly concerned about slaves. Perhaps, this observation may serve as a pathway to the [collective] struggle of White America and how it continues to relate to the plight of Black America. Whereas, profitability and power continues to exacerbate the pathology of race in the United States.
References
United States Treasury. [Online]. Fact Sheets: Currency and Coins. Retrieved from http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.sh... on March 20, 2008.
Richards, L. (2000). The Slave Power: The Free North and Southern Domination, 1780-1860. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press.
Ibid.
Oxford Advanced Learner’
Submitted by Eugene Jacquescoley on Thu, 2008-03-20 09:48.
For Eric's "Little Brother"
Eric, I think we should take this off-line if you want to buy a copy. Use the e-mail link at www.fredbortz.com
But in brief, Collision Course! Cosmic Impacts and Life on Earth went out of print prematurely in a corporate bankruptcy/sale. It does in fact reference Armageddon and Deep Impact in its Prologue. Its science is, in the main, still current although the thinking of how to save Earth has undergone some changes.
I always expected that some of the science might change, so I included an updates and links page to respond to that.
If your "Little Brother" wants an autographed copy, I still have a few left. Unfortunately, the hardcovers don't come cheap, so I'd recommend a trip to the library for those who might find Collision Course! to their liking.
There are also other books on the subject, but the good ones are all in hardcover only. Each of them takes a slightly different tack. I'd suggest you follow my Amazon.com link and then look at the links for similar titles. I'm thinking of one published by Lerner.
Fred Bortz -- Science and technology books for young readers (www.fredbortz.com) and Science book reviews (www.scienceshelf.com)
That makes me wonder sir bortz:
I have an 11 year old 'little brother' (of the program, not biological) and he is a little science fanatic - dinosaur centric.
I noticed you have a book on the K-T extinction and, in general, space born calamities. I also noticed it was printed a while back with a slew of additions on your site. Is this still a relevent book? (references to the movie Armageddon, etc..) Will you be reprinting it at all?
Additionally, any good book suggestions for such a youngster?
Eric
You're welcome, Ren--or is it Saucy?
If I followed the GWB school of naming, I might have said, "You're doin' a heckuva job, Saucy!"
Yes, the hilarity of science is too good to ignore, and Mary Roach has just the quirky sense of humor to revel in it.
She's not the only one. Another of my favorite reviews was heavy on the quirks and light on the science, Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip Across America With Einstein's Brain.
Whichever name you prefer--Ren, Saucy, or Renaisauce-- you might want to become a subscriber at my Science Shelf review site (link below). There's also a gateway there to Amazon.com that gives me a bit of a monetary reward if you use it to buy any books I recommend or otherwise. That income is small, but it covers the cost of the website name and hosting, plus the cost of a one-topping medium pizza now and again.
Fred Bortz -- Science and technology books for young readers (www.fredbortz.com) and Science book reviews (www.scienceshelf.com)
Thanks, Fred
You know you're doing something right when Fred takes your screen name and transforms it into a hip nickname without even being asked. Did you, by any chance, help Eric in coming up with "Skizzy"?
Anyway, I appreciate the props and the back-up.
By the way, I have read Stiff, and I loved it. Your other recommendations will be on my Wish List. The hilarity of science is too often ignored.
Reviving my account
I created it 1.5 years ago and only now I post with it - yay progress!
I posted something to this thread earlier as anon - only now I can't remember exactly what was so important. I think it might have been slightly indignant. Anyway, it hasn't shown up and frankly I don't think it makes much of a social statement, so it can be safely ignored.
I love the fact that I am responding to a post I sent hours ago, but which hasn't shown up yet and which will likely end up ordered before this one if it does.
An odd and ill-sequenced way of posting, perfect for my unstructured mind.
Eric
Go, Ren!
Renaisauce speaks of "Fred Bortz school of polite disagreement."
While honored, I must state that I don't always disagree politely and I sometimes even agree impolitely.
But when Renaisauce posts, whether I agree or disagree, I always smile.
In this case, Ren, as far as I am concerned, you nailed it 100%. I'm an Obama supporter, but I'd prefer my fellow Obama supporters would stop their sermonizing and ranting and focus on the marvelous leadership the Senator showed when responding to the same issue that is the focus of this thread.
Obama turned an ugly situation into an opportunity to lead. Jacquescoley took the same situation and decided to rant some more. I quickly decided, as did Renaisauce, that this is not worth our time, unless there is a good joke to crack.
Speaking of cracking jokes, read this review of a book called Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach the author of Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife and a book I am about to read for review, Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex.
Fred Bortz -- Science and technology books for young readers (www.fredbortz.com) and Science book reviews (www.scienceshelf.com)
Take A Breather, Kid
(I attempted to go to the Fred Bortz school of polite disagreement on this one, but I don't think I can pass the course yet.)
First of all, I only posted once prior to your calling me out. I am never anonymous. I'm way too good-looking.
Second, if you've ever read anything I posted, you should know that there's an upper limit to how seriously you should take what I say, and that limit is about high enough for a challenging round of limbo.
Third, I admit that I didn't read your post when I commented, mostly because I made it through the first 3 sentences and wasn't interested (don't feel bad, no blogs are judged completely fairly). My primary interest was to make a flippant comment about someone else's comment (which mission I proudly accomplished). You will be happy to know that I have read it now. Three times. Rejoice! Your voice has been seen.
Fourth, despite having read it, I won't take the time to discuss it, partly because it isn't even remotely related to anything scientific (or, to be fair, to either business or the economy). By contrast, I will be very interested to read the histamine post that you just put up. Allergies are both interesting and relevant.
Fifth: the other reason that I didn't read it was literary. if you wouldn't mind some criticism, I should point out that the post itself simply doesn't flow very well. I think some careful editing, focusing and structural rearrangements would do wonders for your thesis, which, as I understand it, was "people didn't like Rev. Wright's comments because they're racist, just like people who wrote letters to Abraham Lincoln's treasurer who wanted to put God on their coins because they felt guilty about being racist."
And that is the last I will say on this thread. Unless I change my mind. Maybe I'll flip a coin.
Your post was specious, inflamatory and frankly, insulting...
much like Rev Wright's - perhaps that is why no one has given it any weight and have instead discussed its posting merit on a site devoted to science topics.
I am not saying that your opinion is not desired or that you should not discuss what matters to you - only that you should expect some feedback you do not agree with and which could possibly be offending. Especially when you make statements such as this:
"Incidentally, one may also preclude that the collective conscience of White America’s backlash against Rev. Wright, is primarily due to guilt by association of race, white privilege and the United States insatiable diet for the accumulation of wealth and power, at any cost"
I am white and unprivileged - where do I fit into your stereotyping and offensive world? Matter of fact, why should I care? Isn't this a science topic board?
Eric
Second reply to Renaisauce
Renaisauce,
In response to your second comment: I'm not sure who you're referring to "we" as? I am the individual that made the initial posting. In terms of categorizing the posting as "business and economy" is appropriate due to the scope of the posting.
It is quite apparent to me that you did not read the initial posting and perhaps, did not understand the scope of the posting. Which leads to me believe, that you probably "often" enough, do not take the time get acquainted with what being said and why. And,this is my response to your "lunatic babble."
Furthermore, I did not create the historical facts which lead me question the validity of the subject matter at hand. Instead, I felt it appropriate to relay this significant series of historical facts to a prevalent, current discussion topic facing the US today...the marriage of capitalism and racism. Based on your responses and lack of insight, Rev. Wright's commentary can only be validated.
Regards,
Dr. Eugene Jacquescoley
CEO, Projects in Motion USA CCR & Projects in Motion USA LLC
Clarification
I have a technical question. Are we now categorizing all lunatic babbling as "business and economy", or does that only apply to this case? I could go either way, but I want to make sure that I follow protocol.
I also want to say how nice I think it is that you're giving out regards. Generosity is such a commodity.
Dear Anonymous
This lunatic babble is categorized under business and economy. Get it together.
Regards,
what the?
What is this incoherent lunatic babble doing on science blog? What, exactly, is the scientific content of this trash?
Isn't this a science blog?
?
Felony Pyramid Schemes of Servitude Infestation
Hi
The Pyramid Scheme symbol is on the back of the USA one dollar bill, too. Could it mean that anyone who condones, promotes, and/or joins capitalism, is a "pay up or lose your wellbeing" and "join or die" Chicago mob-like accessory to felony extortion? Yep. Should be a FINE afterlife for capitalism condoners/promoters, and non-force-ins. Gramma told us about the dangers of farmyard pyramids, didn't she? She said... while the upper 1/3 is "heads in the clouds", the folks on the bottom ALWAYS GET HURT from the weight of the world's knees in their backs. This is likely the reason why the USA military's survival/supply system... is pure socialism. Money-less, owner-less, pricetag-less, super-equal Christian socialism. YAY! The USA Public Library System is also socialist. YAY! Christian love and sharing is ALWAYS socialist, thank God. Putting "In God We Trust" on AmWay (American Way) coupons, is totally ridiculous. Well, maybe not. Do they trust in the God of AmWay servitude-infested pyramid scheme (capitalism)?
False idol! But, American parents do "join or starve" forced competer's church extortion (get a job) to their 18 yr olds... every single day. Nice! So much for freedom of choice... for our 18 yr olds. And they usually service the rich. SERVANTS! Nice!! So much for freedom of choice for ANYONE under "pay up or lose your wellbeing" extortion!
Sick, illegal, and immoral. Cease and desist order on capitalism, immediately, please. Abolish economies. They just cause rat-racing and that leads to felony pyramiding. Go military... go Christian socialist.
Larry "Wingnut" Wendlandt
MaStars - Mothers Against Stuff That Ain't Right
(anti-capitalism-ists)
Bessemer MI USA
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