Recently, I had a small exchange with somebody about NBC leaving "Under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance. This writing isn't directed towards that person, but the more general attitudes the short conversation brought to mind.
They expressed that the powers that be are in a constant push to eliminate God from our lives and Christians should stand up and let themselves be known with a loud, unified voice against this supposed attack on their faith. While I can appreciate being annoyed at the exclusion of "Under God" (even though it wasn't in the original pledge at all. It was written in 1892, adopted by Congress in 1942 and "Under God" wasn't edited into it until 1954. But that apparently is beside the point), I find the idea that Christianity in this country is being threatened with extinction rather silly. But then again American Christians love a good persecution complex; after all, martyrdom goes with the whole Christ thing. There's no greater martyr icon than Christ on a cross.
I single out American Christians because the kind of uptight zealotry I'm talking about seems to be a product solely of the Land O' Uncle Sam. It may not have been invented here but it has been perfected. Citizens of other countries have said as much. Sure every nation has it's zealots and extremists, but when it comes to good old fashioned obnoxious Christian evangelicalism, we take the cake.
And before I go further, I'm not trying to paint all Christians in this light. Far from it. I know some damn fine Christians that I'm proud to associate with. They are humble, giving, accepting, non-judgemental and peaceful folks. Sadly, they seem to be an anomaly among the majority. So this is directed to the rest of the masses I encounter.
To my eyes, Christianity is well represented in this country. Christianity is the biggest religion in the world and the U.S. has the largest number of Christian citizens in the world. Not a bad start. Stats like that take you right to the front of the line. There's not a single day that goes by that I'm not reminded of some body's Christian faith. Just walk down the street: Churches on every corner, crucifix pendants around many a neck and rear view mirror, vanity plates and bumper stickers praising Jesus (In fact, the Virginia DMV is now going to be making available "In God We Trust" plates), businesses with those little Jesus fish on their signs like some sort of secret code, Christian Family Bookstore chains in large shopping complexes accessible by all major roadways, people on street corners (and sometimes even knocking on your door) handing out Christian literature and at Christmas time, there are large groups of folks who will walk around in public singing Christian Holiday songs to anybody who will listen. And sometimes people will even throw money at them for it. MONEY! Not stones, spears or knives but sweet, sweet green.
I see tattoos all the time, openly displayed, of Christian images: crosses, Jesus, angels, saints..I've even seen a couple people with a crown of thorns tattooed around their heads.
Turn on the radio or TV. There are multiple stations and channels dedicated 100% solely to the Word. People like Joel Osteen fill entire STADIUMS with the faithful. And he profits handsomely from it. Legally. Songs like "You Light Up My Life" and "Jesus Take The Wheel" have been number one, best selling songs. And let's not forget a film called "The Passion Of the Christ" that was kinda popular.
How about our government? Churches have power where they aren't even SUPPOSED to have any. Separation of Church and State is largely ignored. The Founding Fathers (who were DEISTS, not Christians...look it up) were explicitly against having clergy involved in political affairs. It's only logical they were touchy about that. They just fought a little war of independence (you may have heard of it) to combat, among many other things, the theocratic power of the Church of England, who cheerfully imposed rules on the colonies such as that missing a certain consecutive amount of days of Church warranted jail time. Yet from the very beginning, the clergy began exerting their influence in political matters. There were to be no official religious tests to hold office, yet unofficially, even today candidates have to claim a Christian set in order to be down in the 'hood to have hopes of even being considered for an election. There's not alot of openly Muslim, Hindu or (gasp) atheist folks on the halls of Congress or the White House. Christmas receives a Federal holiday as does Easter; we don't get any days off for Hanukkah, Kwanza or Ramadan do we? Hell, the biggest Christmas Tree in the nation is in Washington D.C. every year. Churches also wield an influence in government decisions and candidates, yet they are exempt from paying taxes. They get to have their cake and eat it too.
That doesn't seem like persecution to me and it sure doesn't reek of victim hood. It sounds like Christianity has the lion share of freedom and influence when compared to everyone else. When I think of religious persecution, I think of the Middle East, where you can be jailed or killed for showing expressions of the wrong faith in public. I think of the Holocaust where millions were slaughtered because they were the wrong religion. I think of the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition where Christians themselves murdered and tortured those of opposing beliefs. How about the Jesuit priests who came over to this new land to bring the message of eternal love through torture, imprisonment, thievery, rape and execution to the Indians?
I don't view reminding Christians that while they want people to respect their boundaries, they need to respect others as well to be oppression. Hordes of Christians with signs, yelling angrily at somebody entering an abortion clinic? I see oppression of some body's birthright to make their own reproductive choices. When I see Christians rallying to stop same-sex marriage, I see oppression of civil rights. When Christian groups seek to teach creationism in schools and attempt to block scientific advancements such as stem-cell research, I see oppression of intellect and progress. When they attempt to ban books, music and movies I see oppression of creativity and choice. When I see them oppose other people's constitutional rights to freedom of speech and religious freedom, I see the oppression of a civil and free society.
And I don't count banning prayer from public schools, the ten commandments in courthouses or nativity scenes from the front of government buildings as an assault on faith. Sorry. They don't belong there. Having reasonable boundaries is not a raping of rights. I know Christians generally have a hard time with the word "no", especially when it prevents them from steamrolling over everyone else. But there are countless other unhindered ways to express faith in this country...they don't have to hog them ALL. Also, by the way, saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" isn't an affront to God either. There are other major holidays in December besides Christmas. It's just a nice way to include everybody without making assumptions. While we're at it, though I celebrate Christmas, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I was told "Happy Hanukkah". Let's be adults and accept the kind sentiment behind the words instead of getting hyper about technicalities.
It seems like Christians have never gotten over being fed to the lions in Rome all those years ago. They've carried that underdog mentality with them to this very day, even though they've taken over most of the world. It's a very militant mentality. It's in their language when they refer to themselves: "Soldier Of Christ" "God's Army, "Prayer Warrior" etc etc. It only reminds me of what Robert Ingersoll said: "If there be an infinite being, it doesn't need us to defend it." But what more do they want, honestly? Bibles delivered to every home like phonebooks? Is their current slice of the ecclesiastical pie not big enough? There's not much left to take, really. They already have the most influence, privileges and funding of any religious group in the country. I thought charity was an important virtue..leave something for somebody else. I think many modern Christians are too busy trying to be Christians rather than trying to be like Christ. There is a very real, and very huge, difference between the two.
So, Christians, let's just calm down shall we? Stop being afraid you're going to be kicked out of the sandbox. You won't be. You know why? Yes, you may be the loudest, biggest kids in the sandbox shoving all the other kids around but you can't be kicked out, because you also own the damn sandbox. Nobody can make you go anywhere. You've elbowed your way to the front of the buffet line and are there to stay. So sit down, eat your food and quit whining; nobody feels sorry for you. And is writing letters to television stations for what they did or didn't say really the best use of your spiritual energy? Does God really need the airtime that badly? Are you protesting for God or for your own need to be validated? It just seems to me those tightly clasped hands that are praying unceasingly for somebody you recognize you as a righteous Christian could be better put to use doing something for the poor, hungry and ill of our society. All this other stuff seems superfluous by comparison doesn't it?
I challenge you to put your Christ where your mouth is. Instead of standing outside a clinic waving signs at some frightened and ashamed teenage girl trying to scare her into keeping the baby her scumbag father may have impregnated her with, why don't you go visit an orphanage or the child cancer ward of the hospital? Those children are already here, very scared and very alone. Instead of espousing terror, anger and bile at people you don't even know, go give THOSE kids some hope and love. Go spend time at a nursing home and visit some people whose friends and family have all passed on and left them behind. Feed somebody who may not have eaten a decent meal in months. Quit worrying about how other people are worshipping (or not) and keep your eyes on your own paper.
Listen, I'm not out to stop somebody's religious expression. Sure, I'm not religious but that doesn't mean I don't respect other people's right to be. To quote one of our Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson,"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." Go ahead, wear your crosses, drive your Christ encrusted cars, build more churches. I see the value in religion; it gives many a person hope and comfort in a harsh, cruel and unfair world. Celebrate and find joy in your faith. I won't even turn the hose on you if you show up on my doorstep to hand me a Bible. I may even invite you in and discuss it with you; there's no reason we can't be friends because we believe differently. But every once in awhile we gotta remind the guy who is talking on his cellphone in the theater that there's a time and a place for everything. Having the right to own a cellphone doesn't give that guy the right to use it when it's inappropiate. Nobody is trying to pick on him and take away his phone, people are just trying to remind him to use his manners while he's out being a part of society. So let's all relax and enjoy the movie together before I run this metaphor into the ground even further.
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