Atheists Upset Over Upholding of National Motto

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 7, 2011

CONTACT:
Deborah Hamilton, Hamilton Strategies, 215.815.7716, 610.584.1096, [email protected]

Atheists Upset Over Upholding of
‘In God We Trust’ as National Motto

Religion/Culture Expert, Author and Talk Show Host, Dr. Alex McFarland Says U.S. Must be Strong in Trusting God

Charlotte, N.C. — Atheists are claiming that the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote last week to reaffirm "In God We Trust" as the national motto is an open attack on non-believers, calling the decision unconstitutional.

The 396-9 vote not only affirms "In God We Trust" as the country’s motto, but it also "encourages its display in public buildings and government institutions."

Dr. Alex McFarland, world-renowned Christian apologist, culture and religion expert, author and speaker, says that the reaffirming of "In God We Trust" is a crucial move and an important message to send during a relativistic and demoralized period in the country’s history.

"There is perhaps no better time to stand up and say, ‘Yes, America trusts in God,’" McFarland said. "For years, we have put our trust in other things—money, government, education—and look where we have ended up. I personally applaud our leaders for committing to at least one of the principles our founders had in mind when forming the backbone of our country."

"In God We Trust" first appeared on U.S. coins after April 22, 1864, when Congress passed an act authorizing the coinage of a 2-cent piece bearing the motto. Congress then extended the phrase to other coins. On July 30, 1956, "In God We Trust" became the national motto.

But atheists around the country, (studies show they represent just 5 percent of the population), are not too happy about the recent vote.

Later this month, McFarland will debate David Silverman, president of the American Atheists, at 7 p.m. MST on November 17 at Church For All Nations, 6540 Templeton Gap Road in Colorado Springs , Colo. Their debate is titled, "Is Christianity Good for America?"

McFarland is an expert in the field of apologetics, which comes from the Greek word meaning "speaking in defense" and is defined as the "discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason." Apologetics is a field like philosophy and is not restricted to Christians. But many who are unfamiliar with the term equate apologetics with "apologizing" or making excuses for a belief, "which could not be further from the truth," McFarland says.

The historical significance of "In God We Trust" includes several key dates. On July 11, 1954, just one month after the phrase "under God" was incorporated into the Pledge of Allegiance, Congress enacted Public Law 84-140, which required the motto to be printed on all coins and currency. The law was approved by President Eisenhower on July 30, 1956, and the motto was progressively added to paper money over a period from 1957 to 1966. In 1956, the phrase "In God We Trust" was legally adopted as the United States’ national motto via a law passed by the 84th United States Congress.

McFarland recently released his new book, 10 Answers for Skeptics, in which he identifies the 10 most common types of skepticism that plague doubters’ minds and offers believers proven strategies for connecting intellectually and spiritually with those who are skeptical about the claims of Christianity.

Published by Regal Books and released this month, 10 Answers for Skeptics delves into the mind of the skeptic, and then offers answers to connect with skeptics in a personal and loving way. Ten types of skeptics each see the world in a different way, and therefore must be communicated with differently. These skeptics include those who are educated, wounded, frightened, proud, orphaned, tolerant, sensual, seeking, syncretistic and honest.

Today’s skeptics are looking for authenticity, integrity and straightforward truth. Readers will learn how to answer intimidating questions, identify the root issue behind those questions and dismantle the "spiritual bombshells" dropped by atheists. Plus, they’ll find encouragement to face hostility by persevering in love—the ultimate apologetic Christians can offer as witness to a loving God.

During his impressive career, McFarland has been a leader in the Christian worldview movement and in education. He is a frequent commentator on Christian worldview issues for the top media outlets in the country, has preached in all 50 states and has spoken to thousands of students across the country.

He is the author of numerous other books, including the Stand series, featuring titles such as Diving into God’s Word, Unleashing the Wisdom of God, Seeking the Way of God, Core Truths You Must Know for an Unshakable Faith and Stand Strong: In College, as well as The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity, and also released earlier this summer, 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer: Thoughtful Responses to Strengthen Your Faith.

McFarland hosts the Sound Rēzn TV show on the National Religious Broadcasters Network and co-hosts the daily, live radio program Explore the Word on American Family Radio Network. He is also the director of the Christian worldview center at North Greenville University.

His web site, www.alexmcfarland.com, brings together information on his speaking engagements, radio and TV shows, writing projects and his books, with his new Project 2026 on the horizon. Breaking news on Project 2026 will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

McFarland’s ability to rationally examine current issues in all areas of life through the lens of a biblical worldview is changing the way that people view the state of Christianity in our country and is creating an intense desire to bring America back to its Christian roots.

To learn about Alex McFarland as a national author, speaker and radio host, or to find details on his upcoming speaking engagements, visit www.alexmcfarland.com .

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To book Dr. Alex McFarland for an interview, contact Deborah Hamilton at [email protected] , 215-815-7716, 610-584-1096.

Dr. Alex McFarland, talk show host, Christian speaker, and world religion and culture expert, is world-renowned in Christian apologetics (one who explains and rationally defends faith). Two new books have been released this year: 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer, and just out, 10 Answers for Skeptics. McFarland is the author of many books, including his devotional book series for teens: Stand: Seeking the Way of God, Unleashing the Wisdom of God and Diving Into the Word of God. Three additional books are scheduled for release in 2012.

Dr. McFarland is the host of the television show, Sound Rezn, airing across the country on the National Religious Broadcaster’s Network and he also co-hosts Explore the Word with Marvin Sanders on the American Family Radio Network, airing daily on nearly 200 stations. He served as the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in North Carolina and has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, and has been interviewed by all the top Christian and secular media outlets. He spent over two decades training teens and adults in biblical worldview reasoning, much of that time working with Focus on the Family. Through his Stand Weekends for teens, and the annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics, Dr. McFarland works toward his goal of introducing new audiences to the truths of Christianity