A recent Cincinnati Enquirer headline reported a controversy over the motto “In God We Trust.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2009/11/17/gop-defends-god-at-capitol-visitor-center/

A group called The Freedom from Religion Foundation has filed suit to have the words “In God We Trust” removed from the entrance to the new Capitol Visitors Center in Washington. I think the American Center for Law and Justice has it right when its spokesman, Jay Sekulo, states that “the lawsuit borders on the frivolous”.

On the other side of craziness, a national group leased a billboard in Cincinnati last week that proposed the question – Don’t Believe in God? You’re not alone. The craziness here is related to the reported “threats” made by believers in God.

Both are frivolous. There is a bigger issue. We have a government that acknowledges God in a motto, but largely ignores Him as the bureaucracy moves ahead with its daily business. Secondly, it is reported that “threats” were made to a group of atheists.

In God we trust? The words make a powerful statement, but do we trust God? The national motto is an appropriate greeting to the visitors center. But do we help the cause by threatening people who don’t agree? Isn’t it more important to live a life that reflects true trust in God?

Isaiah 29:13 tell of a similar scenario in a different place and time:

“These people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,”

It seems we are more interested in defending a motto and being involved in the political scene than we are in being consistent in our daily walk before the people around us.