"With God, all things are possible."

Ohio got this motto in 1959 when an 11-year-old boy passed around a petition to give Ohio a motto.  It's origin is Matthew 19:26.   "But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (KJV)

There are currently some people trying to change this motto because of its New Testament origin.  I agree with this.  I feel that the motto is a little like the issue with the Confederate Flag in South Carolina.  It was appropriate in the past, but it is not anymore.  It's also similar to sports teams like the Cleveland Indians, and others whose names may offend others.  If it offended no one, it would probably be okay, but since someone clearly has a problem with it, it should be changed.

I think this motto would have been quite appropriate in the past.  Our country was basically built on Christianity, and we talk about things like the "Puritan work ethic."  However, this motto doesn't seem appropriate any longer.  Since our country was also built on the idea of religious freedom, it seems wrong to have a religious motto for a state. 

Even though the verse seems innocuous, it could offend a wide range of people since it is not only about God but is specifically from the New Testament.  Even if someone is a firm believer in God, they could still be offended because of this origin.  Also, a person of a religion such as Wiccan, believing in a God and a Goddess, might be offended also, as well as agnostics or atheists.

Just because Christians are in the majority does not mean that a quote from their religion should be a government sponsored motto.  It would be more appropriate for a church or religious group to adopt this motto, while Ohio's could be replaced with something more socially responsible.  Perhaps a quote from one of Ohio's presidents would be appropriate.

I think that many of the motto's proponents would say this is a sign we are becoming a Godless society.  But really, that is ideally what we should be  Society as a whole should not be based a one particular God.  Rather, individuals should worship whichever Gods, Goddesses or Deities they choose to with no interference -- even if that includes those who don't want to worship any higher power at all.  Our country and state need to recognize, respect and embrace these differences of belief and promote love, not hate.  The only way to do this is to have a "Godless" government -- one that promotes in no way any one religion.

Although the motto may not seem very important, in the big scheme of things it is.   It promotes religion in a country that was intended to be religiously neutral.   After all, how can we say we have freedom of religion when in order to turn in a tax form in Ohio, one must fill out forms with a motto they don't believe in?