Cobalt, I completely agree with you regarding tolerance of atheist as well as every faith.
However, we are either spiritual beings occasionally engaged in material pursuits, (like building factories) or we are material beings occasionally engaged in spiritual pursuits. (like prayer). If we are material beings skin color matters. Do we not determine the cars we drive and the clothes we wear on the basis of color? Why should we not choose our friends, or representatives on the same basis? But if, on the other hand, we are spiritual beings, then our relationships with other spiritual beings transcend such superficialities. The encounter is not a materialistic interaction, it is an interaction between two souls, each of whom was touched by the finger of God.
We became united in America, and we absorbed immigrants from so many backgrounds and cultures, only because we passionately believed that humans are primarily spiritual beings endowed by their "Creator".
In America, our national identity springs from us agreeing on certain fundamental spiritual principles while celebrating the diversity we enjoy in the more superficial things. In the history of the world, only two nations have been founded on an idea rather than on a land, ancient Israel and modern America.
So aware were our founding fathers that they were following in the spiritual footsteps of ancient Israel that Benjamin Franklin suggested an unusual motif for the Great Seal of the United States. He wanted the seal to depict the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on their way to the Promised Land.
Only ancient Jerusalem and Washington, D.C. exist as separate entities from their respective countries. In neither case could any one tribe or state claim control over the "Capital City" and deny admittance to others.
Contrast this with England, France, Switzerland or Japan. You could live there five or more years and always be considered a foreigner. The Swiss or the Japanese take pride in how little immigration has taken place to their shores. The reason is that these are all nations whose identity springs exclusively from their land. When they speak of national identity they make us uncomfortable because they are referring to physical appearance. To me, that suggests we are herds of animals who are supposed to resemble one another.
America would not be America were it not for our spiritual beginning. Founded on the principles of Judeo-Christian philosophy and ethic.
Michael
p.s. How did I get on the feelings thread! Did you shift me here or something! :-) |
