Well here we are again, blogworld! It's been a while, but I am just bored enough at work and in life to write a post again. This one was inspired by a blog post by Steven Stroud, which can be found here: http://stevenmstroud.blogspot.com/. Allow me to dive right in...
So if you've been watching the national conventions lately, like I have, or following the presidential campaigns in any capacity, you have probably noticed the God language that works its way into nearly every speech. Or, perhaps you are so used to hearing it that you don't notice; you have become habituated to it and may only notice if it is omitted. The Republicans love to tote their belief in God or their Christian values as justification for legalized discrimination, as well as for why you should trust them. But even the Democrats can't finish a convention speech without the token, "God bless you all, and God bless the United States of America!" Without condemning those who are religious and who believe in God, this is what I want to know: What does God have to do with politics, and why do we let politicians assume that all their constituents are religious or theistic?
Self-disclosure: I do not subscribe to any religion and I consider myself a theoretical agnostic and practical atheist. Does that mean I'm a heathen? Does that mean I don't deserve political representatives who acknowledge my values? Does that render me virtually invisible when it comes to anything on a national scale that matters? And an even bigger question might be, how can we believe in the separation of Church and State, while we allow Christian-based values of marriage to make the cut on presidential platforms and while we question the integrity of any leader who doesn't reference God or faith?
Every time I hear politicians, or any leader for that matter, reference God and religious faith, as if it is the guiding belief of everyone they seek to represent, I feel resentment. I am reminded of the fact that, despite being part of a rising demographic in this country and in this world, as a non-theistic person, I am marginal. Sure, there are plenty of people in my daily life who either support me in this identity or are simply indifferent to it, so then why can't I expect this on a public scale? We do not have to discriminate against religious folks in order to actualize our supposed belief in a secular government. I have no desire to impose my nonreligious, nontheistic beliefs on others, so why should I constantly face this imposition? I refuse to give my vote to someone simply because they claim to believe in God and be a "man of faith," and regardless of your personal beliefs, I hope you feel the same. I also refuse to give into God language as the norm for political and governmental rhetoric, and I hope all of you who are like-minded will stand up to it whenever possible.
Thanks for reading!
