I always wrinkle my brow when I hear that, because I know that the very first amendment to the Constitution gives them that very right.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
So what do the evangelists mean exactly? Based on what I see, I can only come to this conclusion: they want Christians to have freedom. Freedom to make the government their own and formalize what so many already state: we're a Christian nation. So that Christian beliefs can be taught in schools and posted on the walls of Congress.
What can possibly go wrong with that? First of all, which Christian religion should rule? Baptists? Lutherans? The snake charming one? Or how about the one that protests at all the military funerals holding signs like "God Hates Gays"? Should we start treating the Christian bible like our constitution and begin stoning adulterers to death?
You think we're divided now - just imagine if we really were a "Christian nation". Catholics would be fighting Lutherans, Baptists would be fighting the Methodists, and mass chaos would ensue. And snakes. There would be snakes.
Here's what the first amendment means to me. Our country was founded on the principle that our government stays out of religion. Period. It's the only way we avoid being a Theocracy, which is defined as:
"a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god."
Iran is a theocracy. So is Saudi Arabia, and yes, Vatican City. Where the rulers get to decide what you wear. And what you think. And who you love.
This great experiment we've got going here in the US has a strong foundation BECAUSE it was built on secular principles, allowing ALL people the freedom to live their lives in the way they choose.
Pray on, if you choose to. Pray to God, Allah, Ishtar, Vishnu, or the Universe. Or take a walk in the woods and give thanks for the everyday miracles surrounding us. Or go worship the shiny new car at the dealer. You have the religious freedom to do any or all of the above. But please, no snakes, okay?
Goddess Ishtar |
No comments:
Post a Comment