The Power of Youth
Wednesday, 5. November 2008, 19:36:47
After eight long years, it feels good to be an American once again. To be honest, I had lost faith in my country. The nation had been hijacked primarily by white, evangelical Christians who were duped into electing a "fellow believer". I simply thought there were too many uneducated, racist, xenophobic, redneck, bible thumping hillbillies in the sticks that would never vote for a black man. That includes half of my mother's side of the family who still live in Virginia. Perhaps I'm not mistaken in holding this assessment, but I forgot one important factor. One I had not yet witnessed in my lifetime. The power of youth.
The youth of America stood up and made history last night. They are the true patriots. A true patriot is one who is critical of his country. Not someone who is submissive to it. Someone who realizes that America must share the world with everyone else and set a good example for others. A true patriot is not obsessed with blind pride, but with building a better world for all. A nation made up of different races, different ideas, and different religions trying to do the impossible. Make a fair place for all. That's something the rest of the world, even a deity, can be proud of.
On that note, it's time to set the record straight. This is not a Christian nation. It never was, and by the grace of good people, it never will be. This nation was founded by people who happened to be Christians, but they were well aware of the dangers of mixing government with religion. If this was a Christian nation the 10 commandments would become federal law. Don't believe in God? You've broken the first commandment. The death penalty for you. Don't think it could happen? In Nazi Germany, out of over 14,000 pastors and church congregations in Germany, only 800 properly discerned the evil Hitler for who he was and openly opposed him. The rest not only tolerated him, but openly praised him, promoted him, and punished anyone who failed to do the same.
There are those who claim those who criticize president Bush or those with a more liberal mindset are un-American. To them I say, "Fuck you." Be thankful you live in a country were you are free to be a lying asshole, but don't need to worry about being put to death or imprisoned. You can push the country back with your paranoia and ignorance, but ultimately you will fail. For the rest of you, who share the American dream as I do, thank you. This is a nation that makes mistakes, but never stops trying to right the wrongs of the past. A country that once enslaved a race of people, persecuted it's own citizens, and suppressed the rights of others in violation of it's own written standards.
To my Christian friends, who are few, let me offer you a piece of advice. Don't worry about it anymore. Your faith in Christ and moral behavior (however you define it) will grant you an eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven. Mathematically, the percentage of time you have spent here on earth will shrink down to an infinite number. The number 1, preceded by an ever growing number of zeros with a single decimal point at the end. Worrying about the affairs of others when you have eternal life in your future is irrational and represents a lack of faith. Enjoy living in a country where you are free to worship the faith you choose, so long as you don't infringe on the rights of others.
Hold these keys close to your heart:
To show his disgust over the Bush administration, my father had not replaced the flag outside his home for the 8 years Bush was in office. Today, a new flag is flapping in the breeze. Here's hope to a better world for all, even if it means a better day for those who lie and cheat us.
The youth of America stood up and made history last night. They are the true patriots. A true patriot is one who is critical of his country. Not someone who is submissive to it. Someone who realizes that America must share the world with everyone else and set a good example for others. A true patriot is not obsessed with blind pride, but with building a better world for all. A nation made up of different races, different ideas, and different religions trying to do the impossible. Make a fair place for all. That's something the rest of the world, even a deity, can be proud of.
On that note, it's time to set the record straight. This is not a Christian nation. It never was, and by the grace of good people, it never will be. This nation was founded by people who happened to be Christians, but they were well aware of the dangers of mixing government with religion. If this was a Christian nation the 10 commandments would become federal law. Don't believe in God? You've broken the first commandment. The death penalty for you. Don't think it could happen? In Nazi Germany, out of over 14,000 pastors and church congregations in Germany, only 800 properly discerned the evil Hitler for who he was and openly opposed him. The rest not only tolerated him, but openly praised him, promoted him, and punished anyone who failed to do the same.
There are those who claim those who criticize president Bush or those with a more liberal mindset are un-American. To them I say, "Fuck you." Be thankful you live in a country were you are free to be a lying asshole, but don't need to worry about being put to death or imprisoned. You can push the country back with your paranoia and ignorance, but ultimately you will fail. For the rest of you, who share the American dream as I do, thank you. This is a nation that makes mistakes, but never stops trying to right the wrongs of the past. A country that once enslaved a race of people, persecuted it's own citizens, and suppressed the rights of others in violation of it's own written standards. To my Christian friends, who are few, let me offer you a piece of advice. Don't worry about it anymore. Your faith in Christ and moral behavior (however you define it) will grant you an eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven. Mathematically, the percentage of time you have spent here on earth will shrink down to an infinite number. The number 1, preceded by an ever growing number of zeros with a single decimal point at the end. Worrying about the affairs of others when you have eternal life in your future is irrational and represents a lack of faith. Enjoy living in a country where you are free to worship the faith you choose, so long as you don't infringe on the rights of others.
Hold these keys close to your heart:
- Abortion will never be illegal, and even if it was you would not stop it. Instead focus on better birth control and sex education. “Abstinence only” does not work for all. People enjoy choices.
- Gays will never go away, and at some point it will be proven that homosexuality is a biological phenomenon. You don't have to like them, but they have a right to pursue their own happiness as you do yours. Marriage does not belong to Christianity. Other cultures and religions have their own marital traditions.
- You can pray in school. You always could. If you need the entire school to pray with you, go to a private school that matches your religious preference. Life isn't fair, but you have choice, use it.
- Abandon the Republican party, who only uses you to get into office, knowing full well the they can't deliver the "moral" government you seek. Their true allegiance is to banks, corporations, and private businesses who wish to eliminate laws that ensure fair business practices and protect consumers.
- Don't let greed for money sucker you into supporting Republican tax breaks, which aren't for poor people like you. You can not eliminate taxes. Enjoy clean tap water, expressways, safe food free of industrial chemicals, and one of the best legal systems in the entire free world. We have a good life here. It costs money. You get what you pay for.
To show his disgust over the Bush administration, my father had not replaced the flag outside his home for the 8 years Bush was in office. Today, a new flag is flapping in the breeze. Here's hope to a better world for all, even if it means a better day for those who lie and cheat us.
WIDGETIZE