Reply #234: It has a lot to do with "being on top"

[Art_from_Ark]

In the Western world, virtually every country that has "been on top" has attributed its good fortune to "God".

"Dieu protege la France"-- God protects France
"God zij med ons"-- God be with us (Netherlands)
"God bescheckt Belge/Dieu protege Belgie"-- God protects Belgium
"Gott sei mit uns"-- God be with us (Germany)

The above are all cases of mottoes that appeared on coins from the respective countries during their respective heydays (empires). In some cases, such as with France and Germany, these mottoes were resurrected after a period of national soul-searching when it didn't appear that God was actually protecting/being with the country. Religious mottoes seem to have disappeared altogether from W. European coins after WWII, with the curious exception of the UK, which still faithfully includes D.G. (or Dei Gratia-- by the Grace of God) and F.D. (or Fid. Def.-- Defender of the Faith) on its coins.

In the case of the United States, the religious motto, In God We Trust, was added to Union coins in 1864, during the Civil War. The Union went on to win, so many people viewed it as a sign that God was on the Union's (and thus, America's) side. Since the United States has never been devastated in a war since that time, and is currently "on top", it is only natural that the masses believe that God Is With Us.