Sunday, September 30, 2012

Tolerance


I know a lot of religious people.  They possess strong faith and it forms a major portion of their lives.  They also, however, seem to keep their faith a private matter, and although they are not hesitant to discuss it, none of them try to proselytize or convert others.  How they filter their professional and personal decision making through the lens of their beliefs is kept to themselves.  I will say that I have never sat at a meeting and heard anyone ask “What dispo would Jesus offer?”

 My friends accept that I don’t share their faith, and while they occasionally shake their heads at me, and perhaps even offer a prayer for me, I think they respect me for who I am, even though many probably believe I am destined for eternal damnation. 

I fear this attitude is not universally held among Americans with strong religious faith.  Thousands rallied in Philadelphia yesterday at “The America for Jesus 2012” prayer rally, according to the Associated Press.  Broadcaster Pat Robertson proclaimed, apparently to wide support, that “This nation belongs to Jesus, and we’re here today to reclaim his sovereignty.”

Come again?  Robertson believes all of America, the entire 50 states, and all 300 million plus of us “belong” to Jesus?  Or is he saying that the assets and resources of America belong to Jesus.  In other words, that those who do not accept Jesus are somehow either not part of America or not entitled to share in America’s wealth? 

Perhaps he was being metaphorical, meaning that he believes the American people are predominantly composed of those who accept Jesus as God.  Still, how does that mean he views those who do not share that belief?  One could take it to mean that we are not part of his America.

His further statement is more confusing and troubling, that all those thousands rallied to reclaim Jesus’s sovereignty.  I am pretty sure we have never had a sovereign in America, even metaphorically.  And certainly while there were many periods and places in history where conservative Christians held sway, I don’t believe at any time did people proclaim Jesus as king of America.   

Millions of people came to this country, pretty much from the time of its founding, seeking religious freedom and tolerance.  Certainly many sects came which practiced some level of intolerance in their communities, but very few people have ever viewed America as a place where only a single religious belief was accepted. 

I am pretty sure the Founding Fathers did not view America as belonging to any one religion, and I am positive that they adamantly opposed any sovereigns.  Whether the Constitution enacted a firm wall between church and state is somewhat open to debate, but that it dictates that no religion predominates and others must be accepted, cannot be disputed. 

My ancestors came here in response to a promise that America offered opportunities unavailable to Jews in Europe.  I am sure they understood that most Americans were members of different religions, but I think they believed that should they work hard, follow the laws, avoid offense, and, to a certain extent swallow some anti-Semitic prejudice, that America would accept them.  And when my father and his generation, born in America, achieved the America dream, they felt that they belonged here.  I certainly feel that I do.

Robertson’s comments, as reported, can be seen more as rhetoric than literal interpretation of American life.  Perhaps he was merely rallying people to accept the tenets of his religion, and his belief that following those teachings will create a better society.  Other speakers, however, come across as less tolerant and more ridiculous.

 “[S]peaker CindyJacobs has blamed a mysterious Arkansas bird-kill last year on Obama’s repeal of the policy know as ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ which allows gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.”

Do people really believe this stuff?  If God has such a problem with gay members of the military, why not kill them directly?  Why should God work in such obtuse ways?
I don’t mean to denigrate Cindy’s religion, just her statement.  Lots of disasters befall the world every day.  Any of them could be blamed on God’s displeasure with what people are doing.  The dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteor, perhaps they pissed God off, too.  (I know of no fossil evidence of dinosaur homosexuality.)

The lives of many people around the world have been ruined and lost over religious intolerance.  Religious factionalism dominates the politics of much of the world, and is the number one reason a world war is never far away.  As Americans we need to accept that others’ beliefs are different than our own, but that all of belong to a single nation, subject to no one belief or sovereign.


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