This week is a ‘perfect storm’ of world religions observing at the same time: Easter, Passover, and Ramadan.
Faith, freedom, family. All of the things I believe in building our moral and value structure. I might even go so far as to say I want my candidates to put weight in all of those. I draw the line when the three "F's" become a campaign slogan in the cases of several candidates campaigning for various legislative offices who are preparing to ramp up their runs on a family values platform for election in 2024. I don't think what they are spewing - uh, espousing - are the same things I'm thinking here.
I remember, from American history that people came to this country to escape tyranny and religious persecution. They were tired of their lives being governed by theocracies so they came to a country that was founded on values - everyone's values - although the Founding Fathers were predominantly Christian. That's OK, I guess. We all want life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and freedom to practice religion as we see fit - or not practice, which also is our right.
But the scary thing happening here in America is not our rights, but rather what is the right faith. We've got just a little too much faith here in America.
There are certain disciplines in my own faith, such as roles of women in society, people's preference of gender distinction or partners, gay or straight, or the issue of choice. But there's too much one-world, one-faith kind of thinking going on. And ever since prayer has been removed from the schools, too many are trying to throw it into the national political arena. Unless someone has been locked up in a bunker for the past seven years and hasn't noticed, our way of life is under attack because of those extremists who believe there is only one true faith…or race..or culture.
These "candidates of the people" practice a "don't believe in them, believe in us" kind of strategy, excluding those who have different values. There are those people in the world who dislike Americans because we are an open society, but recent decisions and platforms in our life here at home display anything but openness. One can argue that if you don't like the rules set down by a group, then leave and align yourself with those of similar values. Faiths tell us to accept everyone, not just those who fall in line with the teachings. I used to be open-minded enough to believe Voltaire: "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."
But I resent hypocrisy in any faith, my own included. I don't like state referendums that seek to define unions or choice but in recent Wisconsin and Supreme Court news, the door to acceptance is opening a crack but I fear it can also be closed any minute.
Freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, and freedom to practice religion unfettered are fundamental freedoms to ensure. Fight to preserve those; don't fight to destroy the ones that choose to give people certain rights and protections. It's time people figured out what worked for them and did not decide what works for me.
Those who want to kill us for what we believe because it's not their way don't have to worry. They aren't the threats to our faiths and way of life; we are. We will make ourselves extinct by dividing instead of uniting. At a time we need to come together, religious agendas are driving us apart. I fear people like those I see running for office. They represent only people who agree with all their moral convictions, and I find that morally reprehensible. It's un-Christian-like, un-Jewish-like, un-Buddhist-like and un-Muslim-like. And I just don't like it.
Well stated!
As usual, must reading.
…with Liberty and Justice for All….