NOT THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT

As America becomes a theocracy, one person of faith ponders ...

I am a person of faith who is does not wish my religious, spiritual or theological views to be foisted on anyone. Especially not politicians, judges or public policy makers.

I have some ideas about how the universe came into being and how the earth came to be populated with humans. I'll keep them to myself. I am not very interested in anyone else's ideas unless we are engaged in a discussion about mythology, theology or religious ideology with mutual respect to one another's beliefs. Most of all, I do not presume to know the true nature of the universe or of other humans and I really think it would be a bad idea if education or public policy was influenced by my personal beliefs.

I am growing weary of apologizing for my faith. I watch SOME people of faith assume not only a moral high ground in public debate, but warp their religious ideologies and mythologies into pseudo-science to introduce those views as valid scientific theories that ought to influence public policy and education. I am NOT such a person and I want people to know it because I do not wish to be characterized as a person who desires to live in a theocracy or insist that others learn and adhere to my faith. I have doubts about anyone who insists on preaching their personal views to people who aren't interested; personally, I wonder if such people are secure in their own faith. I don't care how often you attend religious services or what sort of religious garb you wear or what sort of theological degrees you posses -- you CAN NOT know more about the nature of humans and the universe than the rest of us. MY BELIEF IS AS VALID AS YOURS AND I DO NOT ASK ANYONE ELSE TO EMBRACE IT.

The last I checked the Bible, the Koran, the Torah, the Talmud, the Vedas, the Sutras, the Upanishads and other religious books were written by people. Some people of faith believe some books to be divinely inspired, I accept that. I also accept that people make errors when writing, copying and recopying books. I have books that I look to for religious and spiritual inspiration. I do not presume that you should read those books and I don't care if you find them inspiring or not. You can read whatever books you like. As a person of faith, I am happy to tell you what books I find inspiring if you ask me and if you don't ask me I don't assume you want or need to know. I don't presume my books are right and your books are wrong -- that would be the acumen of self delusion. I am just a person; I do not have any claim to a moral or theological high ground.

If you use religious rhetoric, quotes from religious writings or theological arguments to inspire division, hatred, murder, slander, torture, terrorism, oppression or to promote human suffering I'm not listening and I suspect you've got the message of your faith wrong. I turn to spiritual and religious teachings with an attitude of acceptance and respect for other people. In fact, I believe my faith promotes acceptance and respect. Again, you certainly don't have to believe as I do, but I ask that you respect my faith and not use it as a reason for us to not be civil to one another.

My faith includes some teachings on sexuality. Yours might too. I do not presume that my faith's teachings on sexuality should be law. I think public policy on sexuality ought to be left to those more capable of rendering sound legal judgment. I agree that faith can inform legal debate but I believe it ought not dictate the legal debate on sexuality.

My faith includes teachings on life and death -- issues about the beginning of life and the appropriate treatment of the dead and dying. It also includes teachings about the circumstances under which life can, should or should not be ended. Again, I do not presume that my beliefs should be law. Nor does my faith call for the harassment of policy makers, legal officials or medical personnel. In fact my faith does not call for the harassment of anyone. Most of all my faith does NOT deal with public policy surrounding questions of life and death. There are those who would like to hijack the political and judiciary process to advance their spiritual beliefs. I prefer to express my political opinions as political opinions. To advance my political opinions in terms of my faith debases my faith.

I do not care what religion a political candidate or appointee does or does not practice. I don't care about what their spiritual belief does or does not say about policy issues. I do care that elected officials are true to those citizens for which they speak and I don't really see how their faith enters into the discussion unless they are trying to coddle votes from those who think the Constitution an ill-worded document and would like to see it replaced by a moral code based on a particular religious stance. Those who believe political power is in any way divinely appointed or inspired should, in my opinion, say that they would prefer a theocratic state and not be hypocrites hiding behind the same Constitution they wish to subvert. I am a person of faith who is secure with a constitutional democracy, public debate and checks and balances.

In conclusion, I would invite all people of faith to practice their faith while being mindful of the beliefs of others including non-belief. I would also like to state to the quiet many that a loud few are not representative of faith in America nor is their hijacking of the moral high ground and aspects of the political process an act of faith -- it is politics, pure and simple. No matter how one tries to justify hypocrisy it is still ugly. It is particularly ugly when it is couched in religious terminology.

If you find that you agree with the sentiments expressed in this document, please feel free to forward it with your name and email attached.