Now that the Republican and Democratic Conventions are over I really have only one question. What is the big deal about the Democratic Party omitting GOD from their platform? What happen to the edict – Separation of Church and State? After a firestorm from the media and religious right the word God was returned to the platform as well as Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Even the Democratic convention floor was divided with boos raining down over the platform amendment process.
So what about God?
The word GOD is such a vague three-letter word. Since so many people made such a big deal about the oversight, I thought it might be good to clarify what they mean by God. Maybe when they added the word GOD back to the platform they should have written it this way:
GOD (Buddhism, Islam, Hebrew, Hinduism and Christianity, etc..)
Let’s leave them in that order too – why should it matter? It’s just God right?
Hmm, how do you think that would have sat with Christians? Imagine the upheaval then – Obama would have been labeled a godless man – or worse… a Muslim… oh wait, he has been labeled that already by some right-wing groups. The problem is; this vague reference to God is really a clear reference to a Christian God. How do you think that makes people of other faith feel? Do you think the far right even cares what other people think and feel? I feel that is a fundamental weakness and flaw in our social/political agenda. This mindset misleads and muddles the moral waters with one religion that does not stand for the grand diversity that is now America and the world we are a part of. Sure christianity is still a majority in America but it is not a majority in the world. Having religious absolutism in politics affects foreign policy, immigrants, minorities, social services and it especially affects women’s rights. Hell, it affects my rights! It affects the science and reason that is being taught in our schools. Did you know they still teach Creationism in some US schools? How is that not biased education? How is that not religious discrimination? How is this not absolutism? How is this not complete ignorance?
Trust me, I believe in God and I am about as spiritual as they come. You can’t call me godless and you can’t accuse me of hypocrisy. Truth is, I believe in Karma and know deep down that my actions affect not just me but others too; thus I try my best to live a karmic and compassionate life. We all have the right to worship any God we want. I just think we need to keep God behind church doors and not in our politics.
I have a couple political platform requests I would like to propose:
- Please keep your version of GOD in church where it belongs
- Please keep GOD and the right to marry away from any poultry products
- Finally, when you feel the need to reference God in our politics maybe try not to be so egocentric and self-centered – it is a big Universe out there and some of us are trying to evolve.
As usual, I hope I did not offend anyone… Thanks for listening…. God Bless… and God Bless this World….
John C. Bader
Good post, and no offense taken. I agree that religion should be kept out of politics, and vice versa; but wonder whether or not it’s possible, considering the drive for power and influence that seems to plague politicians and many religious authorities, each fueling the ambitions of the other.
agreed
As I’ve mentioned before, I believe in the Universe but, if that’s true, I must believe in the one, and the same, God.
I have recently expressed an aversion to the word, God but, that was really an aversion to someone else, and their perception of God.
Semantics play such a big role in nothing, sometimes.
Why not just welcome, God?
Dave – I have no problem with God… I just have a problem with one God being more superior than another God and having the moral dogma of this specific God interwoven into our politics which in turn drives our society; yet alienates those of different faith. When my children are forced to learn Genesis I have a problem. When religion gets involved with women’s rights I have a problem. I believe God is an instinctual energy that is everything and created an environment for conscious thought to arise from star dust. God is so magnificent and intricate; we are just beginning to understand the vastness of it all. Further, God is not a he or a who – God is and therefore I am….
John- Sorry I gave you the wrong impression. My reference to, why not let God in, was more rhethorical, and more toward the Democrats.
I do know you have no problem with God. In fact it was you, who gave me a reason not to have an aversion to the word, God. You shared that God is our highest consciousness, and could be a synonym for Universe, I was fine with the word, God.
All of that said, we are a country where many beliefs exist, and in the context of the common Christian/Judaeo meaning, God is not a politiician, and cannot be representative of the entire population. Therefore, God cannot, as you say have a part in politics. What I find so wonderful about the Universe is, it exists for everyone regardless of religion.
Now, it doesn’t matter to me because there is only existence itself as the constant, and that continues to reign supreme.
I have learned on The Responsive Universe.
well said my friend… JCB