A pro-family organization that hopes to put its “In God We Trust” posters in every American public school classroom says the ACLU's threats to get the courts to stop that from happening are empty.
Almost two years ago, the Mississippi-based American Family Association began distributing posters displaying the national motto, “In God We Trust.” The campaign received a major boost this past spring when AFA's state governor, Ronnie Musgrove, signed legislation requiring the motto be displayed in every public school classroom, auditorium, and cafeteria throughout the Magnolia State by July 1. Emboldened by the actions of its home state, AFA then set it sights on a larger goal: getting the national motto into every public school classroom in America.
It now appears the pro-family group's dream could someday be a reality. Using its network of 186 radio stations in 32 states to promote the nationwide effort, AFA has discovered its listeners and supporters are among the millions of American citizens caught up in the surge of patriotism following the terrorist attacks in September. AFA is now reporting that nearly a quarter-million of the posters are being displayed in classrooms and other public offices across the country.
But the campaign has its detractors, most notably the American Civil Liberties Union which has reportedly threatened several schools and communities to keep the national motto from being displayed in public offices and classrooms. Despite the ACLU's threat, the movement is growing rapidly, according to AFA President Donald E. Wildmon.
“The ACLU isn't going to sue. They don't have enough integrity to sue. They are nothing but a bunch of big bullies trying to frighten schools with threats,” Wildmon says. “They want to keep the posters out of schools because it has the word 'God' in it — but they know it is our national motto and the constitutionality has always been upheld in court.”
Wildmon says the events of September 11 seemed to have increased the demand for the posters — that and the fact that the AFA Center for Law & Policy, the pro-family group's legal arm, has offered to defend any school or public facility at no cost.
“Since it is now evident that the ACLU's threats are meaningless, we expect to see an increasing number of schools displaying the poster in classrooms,” he stated. He said many churches and civic clubs are sponsoring the display of the poster in their communities.
The posters, displayed on the Internet at www.ingodwetrustposter.com, have the national motto printed in gold letters on a background of the U.S. flag.
(This article courtesy of Agape Press.)
