Couple launches 'In God We Trust' T-shirt business

By ELLYN PAK
The Orange County Register
September 24, 2009

Poll: Fountain Valley couple founded "American Motto" clothing company to raise money for nonprofits that promote religion and the national motto.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY Allen and Cyndia Morris had a light bulb moment in a Jacuzzi on Thanksgiving three years ago.

While their young son was diving for quarters in the hot tub, a family member remarked how the coins might become collectors' items. Now embossed with the national motto "In God We Trust," the coins could become vintage items if the phrase was ever removed, the family member said.

At that moment, the Fountain Valley couple decided they wanted to do something to help preserve the motto, which has become a topic of hot debate as cities across the country – including 13 in Orange County – have put it on display in public spaces.

The couple explored the idea of creating jewelry out of coins but decided on selling T-shirts and hoodies with "In God We Trust" emblazoned on them. They named their venture American Motto.

With $10,000 of their own funds, Morris hired Josh Huffman, a designer at Volcom and a member of their church, to design the shirts. Their friends Rick and Stacy Vencill help with marketing their company through a Web site and on social networking sites.

"The whole idea isn't necessarily about the motto only," said Allen Morris, 39, who grew up in Fountain Valley. "It was to protect religious freedom. We're frustrated as Christians that God has been removed in everything."

Proponents contend that the motto is deeply ingrained in the history of the U.S., while opponents argue that promoting religion in government spaces polarizes the community.

In June 2008, a proposal to display the phrase in Fountain Valley's council chambers died when it failed to get enough votes for approval. Councilwoman Cheryl Brothers voted against the display, citing her belief that City Hall is a place for government business in everyone's name. Former Councilman Gus Ayer also argued that theology shouldn't be discussed at City Hall.

The issue was later revisited despite some council members' protests. A proposal to display the motto outside of City Hall's door was approved in September 2008.

Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Yorba Linda are among the Orange County cities that display the motto. The cities have added the motto to the city seal behind the council dais and outside the entrance of the chambers.

Villa Park was the first city in the county to let its residents decide for them. In November, voters passed a measure overwhelmingly to display the motto.

The couple hopes to take their brand to boutique stores and donate a portion of their profits to organizations that help promote the motto. They operate the business out of their home.

"We need to do something because lawsuits are being filed left and right," Allen Morris said about the general movement to remove the national motto.

T-shirts for men and women range from $17.99 to $23.99, tank tops cost $22.99 and hoodies are $54.99.

The couple have donated about $200 to Advocates for Faith & Freedom, a Murrieta-based Christian law firm that believes "in today's culture, the foundation is slowly being eroded by legal challenges to traditional family structure, religious freedom, basic property rights, and parental rights, and by other court decisions that have created a society increasingly devoid of the message and influence of God," according to its Website.

Among its cases, the nonprofit legal group has represented a 17-year-old Mission Viejo student, Chad Farnan, who filed a lawsuit against his high school history teacher for disparaging Christians during a classroom lecture. Farnan accused James Corbett, a longtime history teacher at Capistrano Valley High School, of promoting hostility toward Christians in class, including referring to Creationism as "religious, superstitious nonsense" during a lecture in 2007.

Last week, a federal judge ruled that Corbett was not financially liable for making the remarks. However, in May, it was determined that the teacher violated the First Amendment's establishment cause.

Morris said he and his wife became strong Christians as a couple, after searching for a church and pastor that would marry them eight years ago. The two now attend Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster.

"I do understand that there are other cultures we do have," Morris said. "We need to coexist. But we are a religious country."

Contact the writer: 949-553-2936 or epak@ocregister.com

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