Now we have reports that Justice Alito’s wife wanted to have a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag at their New Jersey beach house because of her feelings seeing a pride flag across the lagoon. She is certainly entitled to her own opinions, based on her conservative Catholicism. However, what the religious right is not entitled to do is to try to force the Nation into its understanding of what a “Christian nation” should be.
Politicians catering to the religious right claim they will bring tie country “back to God,” whatever that means. Kissing up to a narrow understanding of religion and totally misreading history, they increase the divide that is becoming deeper. The Constitution is not a religious document, nor was it intended to be.
The First Amendment not only guarantees freedom of religion but also protects us from government interference and establishment of what religious beliefs should be and do. As we look towards November, we must speak to our history that embraces the full varieties of religious belief not to a narrow reading by certain particular denominations.
Prayer for the Day
Spirit of Wisdom, open us to the variety of your creation,
So we are able to broaden our vision of your work in the world;
Spirit of Understanding, expand our sight beyond the narrow,
Refusing to accept those different than us.
Help us to overcome our inability to welcome difference,
And heal our deep divisions, bringing us back into community.
In the name of the One who welcomed all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The freedom of religion cannot exist without a government that is free from religion (nor can the freedom of religion exist without the freedom to choose no religion at all). True religious freedom depends on a secular government.
Andrew L. Seidel, from The Founding Myth
[T]he very term Christian nationalism really means white nationalism and stands opposed to virtually everything Jesus taught, as embodied in the gospel vision of justice and compassion.
Pamela Cooper White, from The Psychology of Christian Nationalism
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you,
Which lives alone in a forest, in the midst of a garden land;
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days of old.
Micah 7: 14