By Joy Hampton
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Council member Dan Quinn presented citizenship awards Tuesday evening to students from Madison Elementary. Those students did not stay for what some might call a historic dialogue over the merits and drawbacks of passing a resolution supporting the display of the motto “In God We Trust” in a prominent place in Norman City Council Chambers.
The matter was placed on the city agenda as a “Rule of Three” request made to the city manager by council members Roger Gallagher, Linda Lockett and Dave Spaulding.
Following lengthy discussion, the resolution was unanimously approved.
In God We Trust — America, Inc. actively promotes displaying the phrase throughout the “cities and counties across America,” according to the organization’s website, ingodwetrust-america.org.
Council member Tom Kovach made an amendment to add “E pluribus unum,” which has been used on currency since 1795. Kovach said unity is expressed by the Latin phrase, which means “out of many, one.”
“E pluribus unum” was generally considered the motto of the United States until 1956 when Congress adopted “In God We Trust” as the official motto.
Historically, the phrase has been controversial. President Theodore Roosevelt objected to putting it on coins.
“My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm and is, in effect, irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege ...” he is quoted as saying by religioustolerance.org.
At least one Norman resident agrees with him.
“I never walked into these chambers and felt anything less than patriotic,” she said. “I do regret that this will make some members of our community feel less than welcome ... I come here as a religious person. I am an active member of my parish ... I am Catholic. In God, I do trust.”
She reminded the council of the 1984 Supreme Court decison that the motto, through repetition, had lost its meaning. The speaker said her community is contributing to the trivialization of the motto because it is being used for something other than what it really means.
Others objected, fearing that the phrase was not inclusive of all faiths and religions.
Will Weir, a counselor who works with abused children, spoke against the resolution.
“I think this is a movement by fundamentalist Christians ... Remember last year when a group came in to speak against gay people ...” Weir said.
He reminded council members of the death of Zack Harrington following hate comments in the council meeting that evening.
“This is how we celebrate the one-year anniversary of that? I’m not trying to personalize this or insult anyone. Fundamental Christians are a very diverse group,” Weir said.
But he said the phrase is associated with a specific group that supports an anti-gay agenda.
“We don’t have an apology ... from that community on things that were overstated,” Weir said.
Weir called comments made in that meeting a year ago lies. He said gays were accused of being child abusers.
“Lies don’t come from the God of truth,” he said.
Weir said Gallagher denied that there had been hate speech.
“In God we trust has become a broad statement that represents a fundamentalist movement,” Weir said. “The God that we ought to serve is the God of the oppressed, it’s not the God of Pharisees at city hall.”
Zack Harrington’s father, Van Harrington, spoke.
“I don’t understand why the city council believes it has to have these words behind them when I believe God is many things to many people. I would like to understand why this is being brought forward. I would like to know who brought it forward and why.”
“There are many reasons to bring it forward,” Spaulding said. “This is not a gay issue. There are several different issues. It’s our national motto.”
Questioned as to whether the council was encouraged to push it forward, Spaulding said there was not a push from any group.
Gallagher, however, alluded to an outside influence.
“It’s on our currency. The motto was considered because it’s moving like wildfire throughout the nation,” Gallagher said.
Supporters said there is a historic basis for the motto.
“It sounds to me like a super idea,” said one man, who also affirmed “E pluribus unum ... that expresses ... ‘we are one.’”
“Traditionally, historically, this is a Christian country,” another supporter said. He said this is not a gay issue and that all people should be treated equally before the law.
“I think this is important,” a woman said in support of the resolution. “Our nation has it. This is a non-issue. It has nothing to do with sexuality ... I think it includes everybody.”
One supporter said if this were an Arab nation, there would be something supporting Allah on the wall.
“This is not an Arab nation ... this is a nation based on freedom,” a detractor said. “If you would like to place a motto in this chamber ... these are the people’s chambers ... our sales tax dollars went into constructing them; then, let’s let the people decide what motto we want.”
He suggested the city display a $1 bill to remind council members it is their job to spend the city’s money wisely.
“Nothing about this action tonight furthers that goal,” he said.
Steven Tyler Holman, who had opposed Lockett in the last election, spoke against the resolution.
“I strongly believe in freedom of religion,” he said.
Holman said tax dollars should not support a single religious view and suggested “By the People, for the People” might be a better phrase to put on the wall.
“This is a public building paid for by everybody’s tax dollars,” he said. “I think having ‘In God We Trust’ would be more of a hindrance to city council, creating a division ... I think city council’s job is to create a city that works together ...”
Others agreed that the phrase is divisive.
“I object to this proposition. We are a nation and city of many different faiths and some people have no faith, and that’s OK in this country ... Putting a Christian slogan across the building will offend some other people,” said a woman who identified herself as someone who practices a non-Christian faith.
She said there are Hindus and Muslims and people of other faiths who live in and contribute to the community.
“I ask you to honor all people of the city and not just a select few,” she said.
“I was not one of the sponsors of this,” Council member Hal Ezzell said. “I feel the need to explain why I support it ... I don’t think it’s a religious debate at all ... it does have religious connotations ... It’s not a religious issue for me. ... It’s a recognition of the sacrifices made to make this country great.”
