STAN'S BLOGS

[Regardless of your views on religion, I think you would agree, it is a stablizing force that we still may need] The battle goes on over how much God we want in our government; a battle that is just the beginning stages of a soon to be, all-out, cultural war. Once today's front page issues dealing with Iraq, Bush, and the dreaded, bird flu pandemic have subsided, the war over God—in or out—will rage on. This isn't going away, so let's start gathering our facts and checking our powder! " E Pluribus Unum " (Out of many, one), the original motto on the Great Seal of the United States and on many U.S. coins, was selected in 1776 by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson for the Continental Congress. " In God We Trust " was added later, 200 years later, as a national motto of the United States of America. It was so designated by an act of Congress in 1956, but did not supersede "E Pluribus Unum," which is still in frequent use. The mos

While referencing The CIA World Factbook , you'll find that 90% of our fellow Americans claim to be religious (2002 est.). Then, turning the pages of the Web to NationMaster.com , you'll find that only 44% (#11 worldwide, just below #10 Italy at 45%) of adults surveyed claimed that they attend Church services one or more times per week. Curious stats for an area of our lives that's suppose to take top billing on our list of important future events—leaving this world. So what gives? Either the "practice what you preach" rule doesn't apply to today's American religious or over half of our religious citizens are "just saying" they have a religious bent in order to appease their peers, bosses or those omnipresent feelings of impending biblical doom. There could be trouble, if they don't believe. Saying that you are affiliated with a particular church or religious belief certainly has it's advantages in America. Even saying you believe in &quo