Is the Star-Spangled Banner Unconstitutional? Home

Is the Star Spangled Banner Unconstitutional? Did you know that if we declare the words "In God We Trust" unconstitutional we will have to do away with our National Anthem? Atheists on the talk shows have tried to convice us that "E Pluribus Unum" - Latin for "from many, one" - is America's real historical motto. This is revisionist history and ignores the words of our National Anthem - "the Star Spangled Banner" - written in 1814 by attorney Francis Scott Key as he watched Americans defend Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor from British attack. Here's the third verse of our anthem, which not only names "In God We Trust" as our motto but commands us to praise God who has preserved us a nation: O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand! Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!" And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Nor are there any safe alternatives for an atheist nation. The song "America" - which most of us know as "My Country 'tis of Thee" - is actually sung to God and names God as our king! Here's the fourth verse: Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty To Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King And "America the Beautiful," written by teacher Katherine Lee Bates at the top of Pike's Peak in 1893, is actually a prayer for God's grace. Remember the chorus, sung after each verse? It prays: America! America! God shed his grace on thee The chorus is slightly different after each verse. But all acknowledge God and confirm that we are dependent on - under - His control and blessing: And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! America! America! God shed His grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea! America! America! God shed His grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee! America! America! God shed His grace on theee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free! America! America! God shed His grace on thee Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!