Religion has, and forever will, reflect in our cultures and politics. Since the beginning of America, we have made our religion heard all over the nation. “One nation under God…” (Francis Bellamy, 1892). Our religious beliefs even echo in our pledge of allegiance. While the pledge was created in 1892, the echo of our spiritual convictions still rings throughout our country like the indomitable sound of the Liberty Bell. This can be perceived in our schools, in politics, and in casual social settings as well.
Within my own school I have become aware of the way religion affects the students as a population. We have a Christian bible study in a public that meets every week for lunch. Then we have Christians, Catholics, and Atheists. While the Christians and the Catholics usually do not segregate from each other, we do tend to avoid the Atheists. I, personally, do not shun anyone who does not share the same beliefs as me, however many people cannot accept anything other than what they believe to be true. Nevertheless, at this age (high school) much of the beliefs we have obtained are learned from the people closest to us.
Politics, politics, politics….it seems that political affairs are all we hear about in the United States. Yet, can’t I say the same thing about religion? In my opinion, both religion and politics are the major focuses of this country. When Obama was elected president, the majority of the people took one look at him at dubbed him Muslim. Come to find out, he is Christian. Now Obama is considering the idea of a Muslim Mosque near Ground Zero and you rarely hear people saying, “Obama supports other religions. He is a Christian willing to trust Muslims enough to approve their Mosque in New York.” Instead one man organizes a Koran burning, which was fortunately canceled, and more people insinuating Obama must be Muslim. My first instinct was to critique this man organizing the burning of Korans but I realized, as angry and upset as I was, he was feeling the same things I was. Granted these emotions were not toward him self, rather they were toward the Muslims who collapsed the twin towers on 9/11. Yet this man was judging a religious group for what two men did. No one can inarguably say that these men high jacked the plane because they were Muslims with a grudge against Christians or even Americans in general. These men could have been mentally ill or just wanted publicity but automatically we jump to the conclusion that it must be because they are Muslim.
Earlier I mentioned that I do not shun people who do not share my beliefs, however, when I am in a casual social setting I do not let others talk down to or disrespect them either. For example, I am Catholic and I do believe it is wrong to take the Lord’s name in vein. My sister conversely believes that there may be a god but she does not have to take precautions on being respectful because she is uncertain of his existence. I have heard her take the Lord’s name in vein more times than I can count but every time I hear that I make it a point to let her know I am offended by it and that I do not appreciate her disrespect. I understand that she does not think it is offensive to use a holy name with repulsive language. Still, in respect of the beliefs of who do believe in God, she should not degrade his name around us.
You see, it is natural for us as humans to live within our comfort zones. For some of us this includes our religious beliefs and morals. We become uncomfortable with the thought that someone else beliefs may differ from ours and we use that as an excuse. America is scared of Muslims because the men who caused 9/11 were Muslim. Some parents don’t want religion taught in school because they fear the beliefs of their children may change for the worse. Furthermore, some people will go to the extremes to avoid someone of another religion just because they believe differently and/or practice their beliefs in a different way. Back in the day white children use to be taught that black children were not human, we are sending the same messages about religion. This is not healthy. We need to open our minds to the beliefs of others. No, you do not need to believe the same things as the next person, but respect their religion. Mosques, churches, temples; these are all places of worship. I pray to God, my cousin prays to Allah, some of my families friends pray to YAWEH, but as Gunny Flores says “we all bleed red”. I believe God wants for me what Allah wants for my cousin and what YAWEH wants for the Jews. So why turn to religion as an excuse for anything they do that might make me uncomfortable? Why dub Obama Muslim because of his background and support of a Mosque? Finally, why avoid those who don’t believe in God instead of praying that they find God? Diversity is what the American culture is about. Praise it.
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