The Butler County commissioners are set Wednesday to decide whether they should display the motto “In God We Trust” in their meeting room at the government center.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton is proposing the move based on a national initiative by In God We Trust~America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the mission of patriotism.

Pinkerton said at the commissioners meeting Monday he supports the idea of adding a plaque with the slogan in the first floor meeting room.

“It’s what I believe our whole country and county is all about,” he said.

According to the nonprofit group, its recommended resolution has been adopted by 331 counties and cities across the country.

Among the 331 are 105 counties and cities in California, 77 counties and cities in Arkansas, 69 in Missouri and 30 in Texas. The remainder are scattered in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma.

The proposed resolution points out Congress on July 30, 1956, adopted “In God We Trust” as the national motto.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 1, 2011, voted 396 to 9 in favor of reaffirming the saying as the nation’s motto.

The resolution also notes the slogan has been used on U.S. currency since 1864 and is engraved above the Senate chamber’s entrance and above the speaker’s dais in the House of Representatives.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein opposed the resolution.

Eckstein said the county could face a legal battle with the American Civil Liberties Union over the issue.

“Are we going to have a Nativity scene next?” he asked.

County solicitor Mike English said there should be no separation of church and state violation.

“I don’t believe there is a Constitutional problem,” English said.

In the letter sent to counties and cities, nonprofit state director Danielle Wright states displaying the motto is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Eckstein said earlier in the meeting he and some county residents are ruled out of order while speaking about some topics at public meetings while this proposal is being considered.

“I don’t think God is county business,” he said.

Pinkerton said the resolution is fighting against people’s attempts to exclude God in every aspect of society.

“People keep pushing God out,” he said.

Eckstein was not swayed.

“I don’t know why we’re doing this,” he said.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said he had not made a decision on the issue since he had not read the nonprofit’s material.

“I haven’t really looked at it,” McCarrier said.