This country was strictly founded on the belief that we have the right to choose our religion and that there would be a separation between church and state. Our original dollar bills (of which there were many forms at the time), did NOT include the "In God We Trust" motto.
In 1782 Jefferson, who coined the phrase 'wall of separation between church and state,' authored the first national motto. From an Deist and separationist like Jefferson this motto was clearly secular. "E Pluribus Unum," (One from Many) was this first motto and still part of the great seal of the United States. This motto appeared on the first coin in 1798 and in 1837 was required by law to appear on all U.S. coins. It still appears on coins today."
The phrase "In God We Trust" was added subsequent to Senator Joseph McCarthy's hysterical anti-Communist era in the early to mid 1950s. Prior to that, as stated above in the quote, all US santioned coins contained the Latin (correct me if I'm mistaken) phrase "E Pluribus Unum" or "One from Many".
Please note that we are talking about US Mint coins. We are not talking about US Gold or Silver coins, in which the motto was added in 1865.
For the sake of my own time, I wont go into detail, since most of what I'd say are already in the below links. But do yourself a favor, before you start saying phrases such as "Our country was made focusing on God and his son", please learn the history of what you are talking about. Sure almost all of the original law makers were Christian, but that doesnt mean that 100% of this country was created on Christian values. Infact, a very SMALL portion of our history is related to true Christian values.
Now, back to the original topic at hand. I have to agree with the removal of the monument. I would agree with resurrecting a monument for every religion known to man, that would serve a good face for equality, and freedom of religion.
Reference (these may not be reputable sources, but they give enlightening information on the history of the USD):