For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.
And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
That's pretty cool! After all the kerfuffle over Pastor Rick Warren and Bishop Gene Robinson it was nice for the President to acknowledge the fact that there are people (like yours truly) who do not worship any God whatsoever. "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"
"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers."
ReplyDeleteI was gratified to recieve this recognition from a president, although it will be nice when we are not listed last as an afterthought. Also, the use of a negative prefix in our categorization needs some work - I would have preferred he said "normal people".
It is nice to be included. It would be better not to be condemned.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that Obama realized it, but the only direct reference from the Bible the President made during his address was actually a condemnation of Judaism.
President Obama said, "[I]n the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things." The quote is from 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 in which the St. Paul was writing to his followers with advise on how to handle divisions within the Church, especially between Jewish converts and Greek converts. The full quote is "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things." It was a metaphor meaning that when he considered himself a Jew is acted like a Jew. But now he has “grown up” and needs to act like a Christian.
It would have been better if Obama had listed those faiths and us rationalists in order of size. In which case we wouldn't have come in last but in 2nd or 3rd place.
ReplyDeleteThe silly part is that atheists don't exist, only deluded agnostics and liars...
ReplyDeleteEveryone worships something, whether it be the Living God, or yourself, or your belly...but knowing God, you do not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but have become futile in your thinking, and your foolish heart has been darkened.