Watching our nation plunge farther and farther into an abyss of Religious Fundamentalism is rather like watching a bad train wreck. I feel powerless to stop it. The Creation Museum presents a “walk through history.” Designed by a former Universal Studios exhibit director, this state-of-the-art 60,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life. That is THEIR description, not mine.
There are other voices far more eloquent than mine, schooled in law, schooled in science, who can say more clearly than me why we must protect the First Amendment. I thought about focusing on the 1925 Scopes Trial which was a test case on The Butler Act of 1925 which prohibited teaching that mankind had evolved from a lower order of animals in the state of Tennessee; or, more specifically, it prohibited teaching anything that conflicted with the description of man being a direct creation of God as written in Genesis.
I thought about this, and then I think, why? Right now, I would simply be singing to the choir - all of us who are participating in the blogswarm know the dangers of a theocracy. Some of us are atheists; some agnostic; some are Christian; some are Jewish; I hope there are Islamic bloggers participating as well. We know that any theocracy that demands strict adherence to a narrow religious path will severely punish non-believers.
Here's the thing: I believe in a higher power. I have a god of my own understanding. I don't want, or expect you to believe as I do. I expect you to do your own thinking, and to reach your own conclusions. I have come to my own path because of a personal descent into addictions, and the road to recovery which I have been on for nearly 19 years. And my personal path is just that: I am deeply grateful that the program of recovery that I belong to is NOT allied with any religious sect, nor does it demand a specific belief out of me. If it did, I would not be able to participate. For me, the god of my understanding is often as simple as Good Orderly Direction.
So it was intended in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States:
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.
This separation of Church and State is the essence of freedom in the United States; or it was. What we see instead is a train wreck of thinking. We have an administration that terrorizes its own citizens with repeated lies and misdirection; people stop thinking when they are in fear. We become paralyzed with fear.
I am not anti-religion. I am against the teaching of hate and suppression in the name of religion. I support First Freedom First, which is diligent in protecting our First Amendment Rights. And I am a proud participant in The Blogswarm Against Theocracy.
(cross-posted at The Fat Lady Sings and The Katrinacrat)
10 comments:
Good article. My problem is how the Republicans and the so called "religious right" have intersected, to say to those who believe, you must believe this way on politics.
I have my own belief, and do not need a Falwell or a Bush to tell me what it is.
I think we are seeing proof that religion is the tool of politicians. It always has been, but it is just so very blatant now.
I am just thinking of how grateful I am that you pulled out of your addictions. We could have lost you and never known you, Jood. Grateful.
I like what you wrote and concur on all points.
I never understood people who say one thing and do another, and are still able to get followers, blind ones at that! ; (
The Religious Right are true hypocrites. They preach one thing and do another.
Great post Diva Jood and good for you for overcoming your addictions. ;)
Very good points Diva...I wasn't able to blog for it this time since I was busy with the Sirens post and everything trying to advertise it. You done good!
Great post DivaJood, there's no way I will try to put anything to this. Wow!
As usual my friend, you rock! Way to go.
Divajood is on a roll with this post.
Larry, the neoconservatives co-opted the language of religion and compassion and twisted it on its ear. And, within the fundamentalist extreme of ALL religions are people who speak in absolutes - Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, whatever - at the fundamentalist core, they defile their religion.
Peacechick, Thomas Jefferson understood how important it was to keep religion out of the political arena. Nevertheless, when fear is used as a tactic, the goal is to create an "Absolute" Leader - the one who is large and in charge.
Coffee, it's easy to get people to do your will if you terrify them all the time. Keep them in fear, and then tell them you've got all the answers.
Suzie-q, the hypocritical actions of the Religious Right are quite baffling. Preaching hate with a smile on their face, people like the late Jerry Falwell have done so much damage.
Sumo, The Sirens Chronicles ROCKS!
Let's Talk, thank you.
Donnie, did you do your interview yet? I have to come visit.
Larry, thank you.
To one and all re: my own recovery - it is difficult to explain, but it is through recovery that I developed my own faith and my own relationship with God. I cannot do it on my own. But it is highly personal, and you get to believe or not - your choice, your path, your right as a human being. It has no place in politics, and no one should tell another what, or how, to believe. Ever.
hit it out of the ballpark again!
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