I. Introduction
a. Hook
b. Thesis
II. Traditional Implications of Religion
a. “In God We Trust” statement a later addition to U.S. practices
i. First developed in Francis Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner.
1. Written during War of 1812
2. It was first read In God is our trust, and was later changed in its addition to the monetary system.
ii. Added to coins 1864
iii. Added to paper money 1957
b. “Under God” added to pledge in 1954
i. This bill was signed into law by President Eisenhower
c. “So help me God” added suffix to oaths of offices for federal justices and judges
i. Was first recited by President Arthur in 1881
d. National Day of Prayer
i. First call to prayer in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation.
ii. Harry S. Truman declared a National Day of Prayer in 1952 and signed a law of its annual observance.
iii. In 1988, Ronald Reagan signed into law the designation of every first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer.
III. Religious influence on elected officials
a. The religious status of running candidates has always played a part in gaining voter support.
b. Data of election results reveal the differences between candidates’ votes due to their religious status and viewpoints.
c. Most recent event being the Presidency of George Bush and his command during the Iraq and Afghan wars.
i. Reveals pressure between nations of conflicting religions, which have been evident for centuries.
ii. Following the attack on America on 9/11 and the rise in immigration of Muslim believers, the tension between the “Christian Nation” and Islamic countries has increased due to challenges of the American policy of religious toleration.
IV. Traditional values challenged along with freedom of religion
a. U.S. motto challenged in 2001, when a school in Mississippi wanted to place plaques in every classroom with “In God We Trust” inscribed on them.
b. In 2007, Obama makes the statement in an interview that the U.S. is not a Christian nation due to its policy of religious toleration.
c. 21st National Day of Prayer at the White House canceled in 2010 by President Obama under the excuse of not wanting to offend anyone.
i. On September 25, 2009 the first day of national prayer for the Muslim religion was held on Capitol Hill.
d. On July 15, 2011 the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida ordered the removal of a monument of the Ten Commandments from the courthouse steps.
e. The cross found in the rumble of the world trade center was asked to be removed from its place along ground zero due to its offensiveness of favoring Christianity.
f. The plan for a proposed mosque was to be built on the site of ground zero, the area the U.S. was attacked by Islamic terrorists. Needless to say this first attempt failed due to public outrage; although the Islamic believers behind the building are persistent such a building will eventually rise in America.
V. Conclusion
a. Final argument and point will be given in accordance with ending focus from last paragraph. The final argument being that the once great “Christian Nation” has failed to defend its values and rights in allowing its recent enemy to invade the homeland and begin to invoke their influence. Their goal is simple in forcing the observance of the Islamic religion alone and silencing all other religions.
b. End paper with final note following the revelation of the true motives behind such actions as the mosque at ground zero and the observance of a national day of prayer for the Muslim religion. The final note being that if the U.S. continues to allow such influences to push their way into controlling the Political structure, then this once great nation will soon fall due to its failure in affirming its policies and backing them up.
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