There are a lot of reasons why last week’s election was important, and I have heard joy and pain around all of them. One of the most important reasons, for me and from the point of religious freedom, is that 7 (maybe 8) of the new members of Congress are Muslim. You and I have different opinions about each one of those elections; that isn’t what this thought is about. What matters is what the Constitution says about religion, and what it doesn’t. If you read these thoughts regularly – or if you have actually read the Constitution – you know that religion comes up twice. The first is in the original document. Article VI provides that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” The second is the beginning of the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment guarantees both the freedom to hold religious beliefs and, within limits, to act on those beliefs. That’s it. The words Christian and God do not appear in the most important secular document we as Americans revere.
I have seen a lot of interviews of Americans over the years proclaiming our nation as a “Christian” nation. Messiah College historian John Fea, when asked if America is a Christian nation, replied, “Yes and No.” Many of our foundational ideals are founded in Jewish and Christian teachings, but many of those teachings exist in other religious traditions as well. Many of our founders practiced Christianity, while many did not – Thomas Jefferson, for example, was a Deist, not a Christian. And while many of the colonizers who came here were running from religious oppression, many decided to do unto others as had been done unto them. Pennsylvania was established, in part, to protect people from the torch-bearing, pitchfork wielding maniacs who disapproved of radicals like the Quakers.
If you, or anyone else, bemoans the idea of non-Christians holding elected office in this country, I would suggest that you read the Constitution. I think that it is maddening that our founders give us so little direction about religion; I also think it is brilliant. I think their point was this: practice your religion or don’t, but as long as your neighbor isn’t hurting anyone, mind ‘yer business! Of my five immediate neighbors, I only know the faith practices of one of them, and that’s just fine with me. They live their lives in peace – they pay their taxes – they cut their grass – they follow the law (so far). They might worship Ba’al or they might be Hindus – I have no idea. And while they know my faith, they never say anything about it. Because none of this is anyone else’s business. If these new members of Congress call for the establishment of Sharia law, then we have a problem. If they personally support terrorists or terrorist organizations, they should be impeached. Otherwise, everyone should shut their traps and follow the Constitution. This is America, not Iran. Let’s keep it that way.
Prayer – Holy God, we live in a country that is supposed to allow freedom to worship You, and I am so glad for that gift. Help others to do the same. Amen.
Today’s art is “Heart of the Tree” by Josephine Wall.