At a time when Christian culture is under attack on all fronts, there is reason yet reason to rejoice. The phrase “In God We Trust” has been added to the $621 million Capitol Visitor Center.
This is a proverbial reversal of fortune. Virtually all mention of the role of faith in God in America’s founding and development was omitted from displays when the center first opened.
“When you look at the role faith has always played in American history – and that includes church services that were held in the Capitol itself – it’s unconscionable all references to God were left out of the center,” says Tim Wildmon, president of American Family Association. “Our Founders all openly relied on Providence, and it’s essential that that part of our history be recognized and honored when American families come to Washington.”
Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and the Congressional Prayer Caucus worked hard to correct the omission and an engraving of the national motto was unveiled last week.
Bryan Fischer, the AFA’s director of issues analysis, noted that the architect of the Center actually thought that ‘E Pluribus Unum’ was the national motto rather than ‘In God We Trust.’
“That’s an appalling level of ignorance for someone in a position of public responsibility,” Fischer argued. “Maybe we should have him take a remedial course in American history before he’s entrusted with another project. It’s embarrassing that he found room for displays on Earth Day, AIDs rallies and casinos but found no place for God anywhere. There’s only 580,000 square feet there, so maybe space was a problem.”
Wildmon says the AFA is also looking forward to the upcoming unveiling of a display featuring the Pledge of Allegiance. “God’s a gentleman,” Wildmon says, “and only goes where He’s welcome. It’s good for America that at last He’s welcome at the Capitol Visitor Center.”
