Lessons From A Dollar Bill

It was a pleasant day and the goat was in a talkative mood. Turning to his old friend, the rabbit, he said: 'Did you notice how bizarre is the American Dollar Bill? ' 'And why is that? ' said the rabbit. 'Well, let me start with this: ‘In God We Trust', declares the American currency. This implies, that the government that issues the money cannot be trusted. After all, the government does not offer any guarantee for the value of the dollar. Istead, it transfers responsibility to the Divine Authority.' 'Oh. I see your point', said the rabbit. 'But at least and at the same time the government provides You with an invaluable advice: In case of arising problems forget about the money and just appeal to God'. The goat scratched his beard and winked: 'And who says that religion and money don't mix? They do: Right in your hand or, at least, in the bank. And did you know that the official motto of the United States, ‘In God We Trust', first appeared on the two-cent piece in 1864, and on the paper currency in 1957? Since then, although the US money ahould be an abominable object for atheists, it seems they still honor the dollar. Hypocrites.' 'But the world is not black and white', sighed the rabbit. 'No', agreed the goat, 'it is not.' 'Look', said the rabbit, 'in the center on the front of the US $1 Federal Legal Tender appears an image of George Washington, the first president of the United States of America.' 'So what? ' asked the goat. 'Well, right to the picture the US Treasury Seal is featured in green. Its balancing scales represent justice, whereas the chevron's 13 stars stand for the 13 original colonies. ' 'So what? ' asked the goat again. 'Well, this is really interesting', said the rabbit. 'Why? ' said the goat. 'Because this number is also integrated into the design of the Great Seal of the United States, which is featured on the backside of the of the dollar bill. It includes the 13 rows of the pyramid's building blocks and the letters of the Latin phrase 'annuit coeptis' (Providence has favored our undertaking) , floating above the pyramid. Also in the design of the Great Seal of the United States, pictured on the dollar, there are 13 stars above the eagle,13 horizontal and 13 vertical bars in the shield below the eagle, as well as 13 arrows and 13 olive fruits in the eagle's talons. Furthermore, the Latin words 'e pluribus Unum'(one out of many) above the eagle's wings consist of 13 letters, too.' 'But did you know that George Washington was a Freemason? ' inquired the goat. 'I heard something like that', squeaked the rabbit. 'Also, the majority of the founders of America were Freemasons', bleated the goat. 'Anyhow, the design of the Great Seal was approved by Congress in 1782 and it was introduced to the dollar bill in 1935. You see, in fact the dollar bill carries classic masonic symbols. The glowing all-seeing eye on the pyramid top represents the Eye of God, His Divine watchfulness and ever present care in the universe.' 'Well', said the rabbit, 'I must go now. The bank will close soon.'