There is no ‘War on Religion’

I love guns, red meat, and the Bible just as much as the next God-fearing patriot, but I don’t understand why many of my fellow Americans are convinced that there is a “war on religion”.  Before I go on, it’s necessary that we first look at taxpayer-sponsored wars of the past few decades: the War on Terror, the War on Drugs, and the War on Illiteracy.  If you’re reading this, the last one on my list is probably the only one we are winning right now, but nonetheless, these are wars that have had the actual stamp of government approval.

It’s a common practice of pundits and leaders to slap on “war” in a half-assed attempt to give urgency to their cause, but the “urgency” makes about as much sense as throwing a wet blanket on someone suffering from hypothermia. It’s a sad thought that in an age of unreason, we cannot wage such a war on ignorance.

So I ask the people who sincerely believe the “War on Religion” exists, to answer this question: Where has the U.S. government overstepped its bounds and mounted a pogrom against the church?

You can’t, because the only war against faith is the one you start yourself through intolerance. If you cry of religious persecution, but remain silent when other faiths are being persecuted, can you honestly expect sympathy from anyone?

The fact is that we don’t live in a Christian nation any more than we live in a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation or an atheist nation; it is simply “One Nation.” We may say “under God” in our pledge, but so many of us forget the “indivisible” part. People of all beliefs and walks of life continue to serve and sacrifice to ensure that the freedom of religion still exists. The “liberty and justice for all” is not established under any pretense by the state solely for Christianity to be entitled to, it applies to all.

I understand that for many followers of the Christian faith, there is an inherent duty to spread “The Good News,” and I have no problem with that.  What is unacceptable are individuals who complain when they are not free to proclaim their beliefs on government time, spend government dimes, and ram their beliefs down everyone’s throats. Other beliefs aren’t entitled to those considerations, so what makes yours so special?

If you and your denomination are as holy as you profess in the pews, then I implore you to go out and love thy neighbor, no matter how unsavory a character you perceive them to be. Invite non-believers to church or Bible study or whatever it is that you do. But if they respectfully decline, then likewise you should respect their differences, and leave it at that.

Religious freedom is our right, but for those who are steadfast in ignorance and intolerance of others’ beliefs, I sincerely hope you keep your mouths shut.

We all need to engage and embrace the wonderfully vast palette of humanity, because like it or not, we have to share this big blue pearl in space. I’m convinced it would be a lot easier for everyone to get along if we had fewer zealots in the way.

Live and let live, love and let love.

That is the only way to be fair, and being fair is how I would like to be judged for eternity.