The Torrance California City Council Approves 'In God We Trust' Placard
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Torrance, CA City Council Has Breached The Separation Of Church and State

Torrance City, CA's council passed a motion to have "In God We Trust" engraved in the Council Chamber during a City Council Meeting which was closed to the public.

229
The Torrance, CA City Council Has Breached The Separation Of Church and State

As a citizen disappointed by the actions of my government, it’s easy to feel helpless. However having this platform, I decided to use it to publish the following letter which I sent to all of my City Councilmen and Mayor.

To the Torrance City Councilmen and Mayor Furey,

I am writing to you today in regards to Councilman Chen's request to display the words "In God We Trust" in city council chambers which was recently passed. I would simply like to say that I, like many others, am appalled at the outright disrespect for the non-Christian community and disappointed at the questionable circumstances in which this motion was passed.

To begin, the fact that this motion was passed at a point in the City Council Meeting when the public was ordered to leave is completely contrary to the transparency many of you claim to want for Torrance City Government. You claim the desire for the words "In God We Trust" to be engraved in Council Chambers is rooted in its history during the founding of this nation, but similarly historic are the words "For the People, By the People," which you blatantly defied by ignoring the public outcry about this motion at the following city council meeting. It seems as though you realize that this would be unpopular with the public and are just disregarding it by choosing to vote on it when the public is not present, then ignoring their complaints after the fact.

However, questionable circumstances aside, what I find to be most appalling is the underwhelming and unpersuasive logic behind this move. To claim that this action does not endorse a particular religion on the city's behalf, to claim that this honors Torrance's "traditional nature" (as Councilman Chen described), to claim that this is solely an act of patriotism, and to claim that this is not a slap in the face to the non-Christian and non religious citizens of Torrance is ignorant. Given the many sentiments founded in hate within this country, to call the claim this is simply patriotic and not a religious statement amidst the contentious political climate we face in America today can only be called ignorant. This issue is so much more complex than what your justifications claim it to be and this action will surely involve a subsequent alienation of non-Christians within Torrance. It is a shame to sit by and watch our city digress at the hands of this council's decision to engrave this statement where it will be seen by all who enter Torrance City Hall. I can assure you, Councilmen Chen, Griffiths, Herring, and Mattucci, that you have just lost the trust of many of your constituents by pushing for this motion to be passed.

Lastly, I'd like to remind you that while you claim this statement is what our country was founded on, our country was also founded on the separation of church and state. Our country was settled by people who were escaping religious persecution before the Founding Fathers ever even uttered the words "In God We Trust." Even dating back to before the founding of our country, we have seen time and again throughout history that religion has separated people through war and persecution more than it has united them. I wonder if these things occurred to you when voting to pass this motion to endorse a religious statement on behalf of this great city.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Desiree Powers

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56848
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36644
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958447
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

189410
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments