In Theory

Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece has persuaded the City Council to vote in favor of displaying the words “In God We Trust” in the council’s chambers. Fourteen other cities in Orange County have displayed those same four words in their council chambers. Leece says that displaying “In God We Trust” behind the council’s dais and by the Costa Mesa city seal won’t be forcing a religious viewpoint on people. In your opinion, does such a religious slogan have a place in City Hall, or would this violate the fundamental principle of American government that matters of church and state be separate?

When will Wendy Leece stop promoting dumb ideas? The City Council is supposed to work on managing the city’s business, not supporting religious beliefs. The founders of our country were wise enough to form a secular government and not a theocracy. We should be thankful for that and not try to force particular religious beliefs on everyone.

Placing such a motto as “In God We Trust” in the chambers is just the first step toward passing laws based solely on religious principles, which have no proper business in city governments. Do we really want to run our cities as the God of the Bible, who arbitrarily demanded the murder of thousands of innocent people, would do?

In the future, how about electing council members that will take care of the city’s business instead of promoting holier-than-thou religious concerns?

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County

Does not the Costa Mesa City Council have before it a full enough agenda of matters regarding good governance? This is its area of proper competence, and this is where its attention and energy should be focused. Why is it plunging into religious matters outside its competence? If the Council Chambers had already been adorned with “In God We Trust,” I would leave it there for it is a long-established testimony in American public life.

However, I am not in favor of forcing it into civic buildings that have not up to now housed it. Government should do its very best to serve those matters of public life that properly belong to it, but the promotion of religious belief is not its responsibility. This activity makes me nervous, for government should neither promote religion nor interfere with its free exercise.