Matt Gaetz offers a sharp contrast in style and personality to the late Charlie Bennett, the longtime Democratic congressman who represented Jacksonville and part of North Florida in Congress for decades. But, on the matter of religion in the public square, Gaetz is taking a page from Bennett’s playbook.
Recently, the town of Bonifay added stickers to police cars and fire engines with “In God We Trust” on them. The four words have been the national motto since 1956 and is also the motto of the state of Florida.
But most Americans recognize the motto because it's on coins and bills. Back in the 1950s, Bennett played a key role in that, sponsoring the bill that included “In God We Trust” on money.
With Bonfiay under fire for the new stickers, Gaetz, who is now running to replace his father in the Florida Senate, has been a vocal supporter of the town.
“I stand in solidarity with the city of Bonifay. "In God We Trust" must remain inscribed in our civic institutions and in our hearts,” Gaetz posted on Facebook this week. “Please pray for strength.”
Gaetz doubled down on his support of the stickers. Saint Petersblog reported Wednesday that Gaetz sent out an email to supporters, continuing to make the case for the stickers.
To be sure, Gaetz and Bennett come from far different backgrounds with differing personalities. Gaetz is boyish, often combative on the House floor while still being a happy warrior. Bennett was far more reserved and scholarly. It’s telling that Gaetz is one of the more entertaining and active politicians on Twitter while Bennett penned scholarly historic works.
But both of them ended up in the same place on defending religion’s place in the public square. With much of his scholarship focused on Spain’s and France’s struggle to colonize what is now Northeast Florida, Bennett was more than aware of the dark side of organized religion. Bennett noted that explorer Jean Ribault and scores of other French Huguenots were slaughtered by the Spanish forces led by Pedro Menendez due to their Protestant faith.
Bennett also recognized the important and positive role religion could play. In the preface of his biography of French colonial leader Rene Laudonniere, Bennett portrayed the Huguenot colony at Fort Caroline as an early experiment in religious liberty, one of the cornerstones of the United States.
Back in 1955, when he fought to include “In God We Trust” on currency, Bennett made the case for how religion reinforced the values of a democratic republic.
''In these days when imperialistic and materialistic communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, we should continuously look for ways to strengthen the foundations of our freedom,'' Bennett said. ''At the base of our freedom is our faith in God and the desire of Americans to live by His will and guidance. As long as this country trusts in God, it will prevail.''
Not quite Gaetz’s style, since it went beyond 140 characters, but the spirit of both Florida politicians on this issue is on the same page.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
