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2003.08.22
Church vs. State
Alabama State vs. the Federal Government: Supreme Court Judge orders State Judge to remove Ten Commandment Monument from Government Building. State Judge takes a stand and refuses. Public support stages prayer vigil on Government Building steps, claiming that their prayers are being answered. Federal Government looks like pie-in-the-face as it confronts the details of enforcing its mandate.
Americans are taught with vigilance that our country's founding fathers settled this land as an escape from religious persecution. The Constitution was written with respect to a certain tolerance for diversity in belief, but still with a foundational acceptance and agreement that there is a God (primarily Christian) at the head of the helm.
Over 200 years ago, there was a societal wish for freedoms that proved progressive in the face of European Tradition and Government. It was time for some fundamental changes in the perspective of ethics and rights that should be equal among all human beings, instead of a privileged few. The trials and will of the American Colonists brought on a fervor that would fight and die for its principles. The American leadership brought a masterful wisdom to establishing evolved concepts that they hoped would carry its new government thru ages of development.
"Development," being a key word, here. Our early Leaders recognized that growth and development were a part of the human condition. They worked to form a system that would permit evolution with checks and balances preventing perversions of power and allowing the voice of its people to be heard. A certain explosion of growth took place and now we are bursting at the seems with diversity and promises of opportunity. Yet, does it seem that the power comes to rest again with a privileged few? Specifically, those that possess the money, education or a winning lottery ticket? Did rights shift from the elitism of birthright or religion to the elitism of resource?
Have we come to a precipice that requires another step of growth--requiring even that we rethink the ethics and foundations of our well intentioned Founders and let go of a plateau that may be preventing us from evolving improved forms of communal and individual well-being? Something about America works--or else we would not stand as a Nation in this World so loved and despised for its achievements. Yet, this accomplishment does not allow America to stand as a perfect model of principle--to permit a pride and bigotry deserving of Global awe or submission. Are there not plenty of warts on our face that need to be examined and healed?
The question of God and what that is has shifted profoundly. Once an idea with fairly uniform definition in its generalities, but diversity in its specifics has become displaced with controversy over its mere accuracy for existence. I am, personally, quite suspicious of anyone who is adamant about "knowing" that God exists or not. I firmly believe that what is "knowable" is not reserved to experience by a special few, requiring the "faith" of the vast majority. We don't accept the existence of UFO's on this basis--nor should be accept God on this basis, either.
We have been remiss about teaching critical thinking to our American people. Is there some purposeful oppression in this? Is it synonymous with the Catholic Clergy wanting to suppress the common individual from free access to the Bible? There is a reason the "printing press" was a pivotal turn in modern history. Knowledge is power. What would be lost if our children were presented with ideas from a platform of Principle and Logic instead of Law and Faith? Is there as much a fear that the massive multitudes would rise up in revolt and revision against its leadership as there was in the day of Martin Luther? The Fundamentalists are certain a chaos of anarchy would materialize. And yet, are fundamentalist principles preventing chaos or promoting a sense of well-being in individuals so that they are tending not to rebel from such thought systems?
There are still attitudes of self-righteousness and elitism that somehow permit some to believe it is their Rightful Cause to meet out the Justice of God, because God won't do it for Herself in due time. They believe it is necessary to take a Stand for God and define the obscene because the Devil is more certain to stake his claim for principle than God is. Exactly how much faith do these people have in their King? Is God Omnipotent or not? Did God know what It was doing in Its act of Creation or not?
Is there an ideology, a principle, a platform that can truly support tolerance for all forms of faith--be they God fearing, God loving or God denouncing? In the beginning of America, God was fundamental to ethical thought. Today, God stands in question for many. Yet, there are only a minute few that would argue that most individuals seek a sense of well-being, a sense of communal trust and security. Most individuals hope to be given a chance to see what the best of themselves is, to love and be loved, to be free from the oppressions of poverty and ignorance, to be free from the daggers of bigotry and prejudice and to feel challenged and able to pursue the achievements that would give them meaning and significance in their work and existence.
Fundamentalists are given that name precisely because they are devoted to the traditional (i.e. unChanging, non-Evolving). Our Founding Fathers were Revolutionists recognizing a NEED for Change (i.e. Growth, Progress)--is it about time for the American People to recognize a NEED for another?
The embrace of God or Not is an Individual commitment. If God wants it otherwise, let It speak for Itself. If an individual wants to advertise their devotion--one way or another--so be it. But, such vocal devotion should not be forced upon any unwilling audience. No government should give respect to one version of God over any other--be it in public education or institution. Since it is unreasonable to give a tangible voice to all religious / spiritual / philosophic ideals in such places of community--then, is it reasonable to remove them all? Is it reasonable to keep such practice and ritual in places of worship, the home, private schools or public silent reverence? Ethics must stand on Foundations of Truth, not on premises of faith and ritual.
That Ten Commandment Monument belongs in a Church yard--not in the Building that must represent tolerance for all Public Perspective. If there is a need to monumentalize a platform for communal ethical commitment--bring such core ideas to a forum that stands for all people--be they the majority or minority, and not only one brand of thought.
Instead of One Nation under God and Justice for All... How about: One Nation under Honor, Integrity and Well-Being for All?. . . I know, I know . . . ideals vs. realities. . . hum-bug!
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