Pierce County Council narrowly votes to put up 'In God We Trust' plaque

TACOMA -- Despite some opposition, the Pierce County Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to display a plaque in its chambers that reads, "In God We Trust."

Before approving the proposal, the council amended it to add the Latin phrase "e pluribus unum" -- or 'from many, one.'

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Pierce County Councilman Jim McCune says he had no idea that his proposal to display a plaque in the council chambers that reads 'In God We Trust' would cause  a problem.

"The fact that we`re even talking about who God is, it's music to God`s ears," Douglas White, a supporter of the idea, said outside council chambers Monday.

"Our beliefs and what we stand for and our values don`t matter in those chambers, that`s the message they`re sending," said opponent Sam Mulvey, alluding to the constitutional separation of church and state.

McCune pointed out that the motto is on U.S. currency.

"You might have it in your pocket, you might carry it around with you every day," McCune said. "Most people do."

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McCune insists he suggested the notion purely out of U.S. tradition.

"Our national heritage for one. And it's patriotic to have this display of the national model; it was passed into law by Congress and signed by Dwight Eisenhower and it's something I cherish myself," McCune said.

Those who oppose the idea, like Mulvey said they feel it excludes them from the conversation of local government.

"God to me is not a positive concept," Mulvey said. "I don`t believe in a god and I find religion overall to be a fairly negative force."

McCune said he had no idea his proposal would cause such a problem.

"Some people just do not like the word (God), period," McCune said. "And they will claim separation of church and state every time you bring up the word."