*sighs* Ok.
This nation was founded on several beliefs. One of them was the separation of Church and State.
Why is having a secular nation so important?
Well, for a few reasons.
First, not everyone believes in God. Those that do? They don't believe in other people's Gods. Nor should they have to. You're free to believe or not believe anything you want. Free of judgment and free of persecution. While some forget this and some try to insist their beliefs upon others, it's important to note our nation was founded by those escaping religious persecution. There was a time where your refusal to follow the Catholic religion resulted in torture and death. Holy wars are an extension of that thinking. In this, we must recognize the importance in allowing tolerance.
Second, you can't force your way of life on others. There's actual discomfort that results from forcing people to mirror your thinking. Imagine someone making you do things their way. Imagine someone forcing you to pray to Mecca. Imagine them limiting television to a single government approved channel and forcing you to watch it. Imagine forced diets, forced hobbies, forced routines. This is the antithesis to freedom. The very opposite of what we are as a nation.
Third, it won't be long before every individual is at the mercy of a single mind in a position of power. His whims, his discrepancies, his opinions will dictate your present and future. You will have no say. You cannot express discontent. You must give acquiescence and promise fealty. We've seen this throughout history. It is a terrible way to live. And it can have serious long lasting consequences.
Personally? I grew up wanting to believe in God. This all powerful omnipotent being making sure things went according to some master plan. There's a comfort in that. You can find solace in what you don't know. But I couldn't believe. Religion has a dark, bloody history. Scriptures are chosen a la carte. Some followed, some ignored. The "Judge not lest ye be judged" is rarely implemented. The Golden Rule is hardly followed.
I'd love to believe. But when I think back during those formative years, there's too much evidence that kept me from it.
And that's ok. I'm allowed not to believe.
My biggest reason for not believing? There are multiple religions. There are multiple versions of the same religion. And all of them fight.
Guy 1: "Believe in my God! Your God is wrong!"
Guy 2: "No, your God is wrong!"
Guy 1: "You should celebrate on Sunday!"
Guy 2: "No, you should celebrate on Wednesday!"
Guy 3: "Hey guys, why not celebrate on both days?"
Guy 1 & 2: "KILL HIM!"
If you believe? That's awesome. I think you should.
If you don't believe? That's awesome. I think you shouldn't.
However forcing God places? That's wrong.
Forcing God into schools is wrong.
This narrative of "Lack of God contributes to shootings" is asinine and disrespectful. God was at the Texas church last year where everyone inside was shot. His presence can't deter these acts of violence. His lack of presence doesn't create them.
People have killed for God longer than they've lived peacefully for him. In the end, it's not about religion. It's much more complicated than that.
Biological. Environmental. Spiritual. Psychological. Societal. There are many contributing factors.
But not any one of them is solely to blame.
So, what do we believe?
Believe that what you want for yourself is what you should want for another.
You want to worship God? Let others worship theirs.
You want the freedom to believe? Give others the freedom not to.
In the end, we are a group of individuals fighting for our individual ways of life.
In the end, let's treat others as we wish to be treated.
