For Goodness Sakes

There is a new message that is going to be commuting through Washington D.C. on Metro Buses. The message is: “Why Believe in God? Just be good for goodness sakes.” This ad has sparked a movement to keep CHRIST in Christmas (as the movement leaders putting).

Granted, this argument has been around for a while. Ever since the politically correct phrase became, “Happy Holidays,” instead of, “Merry Christmas,” most Christians feel offended and that their freedom of speech has been infringed upon. However, the politically correct phrasing generally applies to work settings, to not favor one religion over the other. (Which is not entirely possible because most religions don’t celebrate a major holiday during December?)

Now, I consider myself to have faith. I believe that there is a God and I pray to him or her in my own time. I don’t feel like I need a priest to mediate for me. Nor do I feel a pull to be in church because I believe the practices have become so formalized that they’re idolized. Over all try to be a good person. In general, however, my faith is very personal to me. I hate public prayer, even around a dinner table. I also don’t believe in pushing my faith on another.

So I guess I have to wonder, in the age of diversity and acceptance, why are Christians so up in arms about, “Happy Holidays?” It reminds me of the prayer in school argument, which I always thought was funny. The law does not eliminate prayer in school, it eliminates administrative led prayer. If a student wishes to pray before a meal, before class or before taking their test, all they have to do is bow their head and no one will question them. They also will not be expelled for practicing their faith either.

The advertisement that will appear this holiday season does suggest that faith is unimportant. But, in reality, religion will always be important to those who believe it is important. An advertisement won’t affect this. I seriously doubt people will read the advertisement and decide that god is merely a fantasy and the teachings a hoax.

In the end, what’s really wrong with just suggesting to people to, “just be good for goodness sakes?” Isn’t that what we all want during November and December (as well as the entire year)? Don’t we all want peace and harmony regardless of our faith?

Religion is not something you can push on your friends, family, or even co-workers. It’s disrespectful and the tactic doesn’t work. All you anyone can do is keep their own faith, live a good life, and be respectful of each other. In reality, Jesus’ teachings (for a Christian example) were to love one another? Why is it that some people forget this?

So, this upcoming holiday season, I will wish you all peace and happiness and all I’ll ask in return is to, “just be good for goodness sakes.”

Another Brick to be Laid with Calloused Hands

After months of campaigning, supporters for Senator Obama had tears in their eyes as their President-Elect stood before them, thanking them for their support and promising to unite this country, promising to work towards the vision that inspired a nation. On January 20, 2009, the nation will watch as the first black man is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. For most of us, we are still pinching ourselves, scrolling through Facebook status updates, and reading global headlines about the road to victory. But this victory, while historic and a keystone for change, is only the first step. As Senator Obama promised, there are many more bricks to be laid on this path toward change. Yesterday, I wrote how the nation needs to come together, work together to solidify its greatness. Today, let us take the steps to have real discussion about immigration, same-sex marriage, abortion, taxation, and the War in Iraq. If we keep the lines of communication open and build trust, we can find common ground. Specifically, today, I want to speak about same-sex marriage. With 95 percent of the precincts reporting, it looks as if Proposition 8 will pass in California which would restrict marriages to one man and one woman. Since the California Supreme Court overturned the law in May of 2008, LGBT couples have been able to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples, applying for marriage licenses, exchanging vows, and having their commitments recognized by the state. And thought this race is still too close to officially call, similar initiatives passed in both Florida (which restricted the rights of heterosexual domestic partners) and Arizona. Why are we as a nation, founded on the premise of minority rights, so willing to restrict the rights of its minority citizens? Is it because people don’t understand it or believe being gay is a choice? SO I ask, who in their right mind would, “choose,” to come out to a society that will deny them equal treatment and equal protection under the law? A society that would judge them, persecute them, deny them jobs, and spousal benefits. Is it because a lot of Christian denominations preach that same-sex relationships are sinful and immoral? Not that I agree with this interpretation of the Bible, but correct me if I’m wrong, aren’t we all sinners under that text? Jesus never preached hate; he preached love, acceptance, and not judging your neighbor. However, biblical teachings aside, our Constitution clearly states in the First Amendment that the government shall not establish religion. Therefore, state and federal law should not be defined by religious doctrine. My freedoms should not be limited by another citizen’s faith. Further, if the word, “marriage,” has religious overtones due to its historical connotation, then why is it used in our laws? Again, invoking the First Amendment, and using the religious activists argument here, the word should therefore be removed from the government’s vocabulary and instead substitute the word, “union.” Everyone could enter into a legal union without violating the sanctity of marriage as seen by the church. However, this argument still doesn’t satisfy those against same-sex marriage on the basis of protecting their religious beliefs. Another popular argument against same-sex marriage is in regards to if children were brought in the picture. Could a child be raised by a same-sex couple and in turn be straight? Be healthy? Function in society? What about the other children raised in non-traditional families—single mothers or fathers, grandparents, or even aunts and uncles. Having been raised in a non-traditional family, I firmly believe that it’s not the number of people in the household or their genders, but instead whether the child was loved, provided for, supported, and encouraged to succeed. Also, plenty of gay children are raised by opposite-sex couples. Social justice for LGBT citizens in America is going to be an uphill battle. The opposition is strong and that was proven during the campaign to toward the election. But nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Equality is an American value that I’m not willing to live without. As we continue to celebrate our victory, let us also begin the discussion; let’s open up the dialogue to see if we can lay another brick for LGBT rights.

But What About Tomorrow

Today, the nation holds it breath, consumed with anticipation and dare I say hope. Today, we are a nation that is divided, divided by our political ideology. Months of campaigning, media frenzies, and excitement by each party’s respective volunteers and base has split us based on whether we plan (or have) cast our ballot for either Senator Obama or Senator McCain.

I have not made a secret of where my allegiance has been during this election. And tonight, I plan on watching with anticipation as the results are reported state by state. I feel as if the country has decided that it is time for a change and I have been proud to be a part of that initiative.

But what happens tomorrow? There can only be one victor. We are a nation that, ideally, is united, regardless of our differences. But the past 8 years has proven that we are anything but united. The nation became entrenched in their respective ideologically driven battles after Bush v. Gore and has remained that way with the exception of the months surrounding 9-11.

No, I’m not naïve enough to believe that our nation has never been divided or that a utopian society is possible. Over the years, divisions have arisen over many issues, including abortion in the 1970s and Civil Rights in the 1960s to name a few. With that said, tomorrow, we will have to find a way to put aside our differences so that we can work together.

Also, tomorrow will not mean, ‘to the victor goes the spoils.’ Since my prediction is that this year will be a Democratic victory for both the presidency and in congress, we (as Democrats) cannot ramrod our ideals through congress at the expense of others. Coalition building still needs to be at the heart of all of the initiatives.

So tomorrow, after the celebrations, the mourning, the history making (either way it is), and things begin to return to normal, I encourage us, as a nation, to see beyond the platforms of the political parties and instead look next door at our neighbors, family members, and colleagues so that we can work together to make this nation great. Because what is at stake is more than just an election, it is the principles behind ‘United We Stand.’