Some Americans need to reread their country’s sacred text.
Despite humans having written it centuries ago and having subjected it to various interpretations throughout time, the Constitution remains the core for how Americans guide their country. It offers rules and values to help us live together.
Of all of this document’s sections, people seem most reverent of the First Amendment, which promises, among other things, the freedom of religion — Americans can practice any religion that doesn’t violate American laws.
On Sept. 11 of this year, two rallies demonstrated how some people interpret this section of the Constitution. Both rallies failed to achieve what they should have accomplished.
The American Muslim Public Action Committee first organized the “Million American March Against Fear.” The idea was to promote tolerance of minority beliefs, and the committee invited non-Muslims to participate. They planned to march from the National Mall to Congress, then to the Supreme Court, then the White House. Acknowledging the day on which they had gathered, participants even held a moment of silence for the victims of the infamous 9/11 attacks.
There were a couple of problems with this gathering, however. First, the speeches that were held were geared toward vilifying the American government, claiming the plane crashes were an “inside job” and the government was purposely fueling a fear of Islam in the country.
Obviously, there are citizens that agree with these ideas and people should voice them. Still, by allowing these accusations to be a focal point of the “Million American” rally, it negated any chance that the mainstream culture would feel more amicable to accepting the demonstrators’ views of peace among differing religious beliefs. Had participants brought up this issue directly a week after, I expect there would have been a negative response of less strength.
The second rally, 2 Million Bikers to D.C., had potential as well. However, as one can see by the title, the idea that this ride was mainly to honor those affected by 9/11 quickly disintegrates, for the group intended to double its impact relative to the “Million American” march. The group’s Facebook page is overrun with pictures of Jesus, references to God, requests for prayers and even condemnations of the Muslim rally. One of the main points made by the organizers is that the riders were people against a “fundamental transformation of America.”
Christianity is not exactly in this land’s roots. Our coins and “The Pledge of Allegiance” were transformed when people stuck “God” in them.
It saddens me to see humans so intolerant and inconsiderate of other humans. People across the globe come to their ideas of truth in different ways — some ideas may be right, and others may be wrong.
But whether a person is a Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Wiccan, Christian or Satanist, if he or she is a legal, law-abiding American, then they are free to practice the religion they choose.
If you try to take that identity away from someone, do not bother celebrating Independence Day. Do not recognize President’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Flag Day, because these are not geared toward
anti-Americans.
I recognize the tradition of the majority is a safe place. I also think the right thing to do is sometimes the harder thing to do.
In our lifetimes and, unfortunately, for probably more than a century, I know there will be violence from religious zealots, whether they be radical Islamists, members of the Westboro Baptist Church or believers of some new threat.
Our true battle is fought on the plain of assumption — we must stop judging majorities for the actions of minorities. If Americans can eliminate this way of thought, we can be a stronger and more knowledgeable country.
We can be a United States.
We can be fundamentalists.