A Dominant Religion

I live in a society that has a dominant religion, of which I choose not to be a member. These are my choices, both to live here, and to not join the dominant faith. But, as do many, I have opinions on the dominant religion, and its’ relationship to those who choose for what ever reason not to become members (of the dominant faith). This is a discussion of those differences of opinion.

The first amendment to the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

In the society in which I live, it is not at all unusual for someone (of the dominant faith) to say, “Well, that is the way we belive (dress, act, pray, socialize) and if you don’t like it, you can leave.” Perhaps-but I do not want to leave or be forced out; I enjoy the land, the outdoor experience, the varieties of cultures, foods and dance that exist here. This section of the country was first populated by Native Americans, then Spanish explorers, trappers, fur traders, gold and silver miners, and finally the Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Along the way, we had immigrants from the “old world”; Greece, Italy, France, Germany, England, Russia, Yugoslavia, Poland, and yes, China and Japan. Now we have peoples from every land here, and I am grateful. I can eat food from Native America, Africa, France, Germany, Lebanon, Vietnam, Korea, Russia, Poland, and various Baltic states; and if I wish, I can observe/participate in (open) ceremonies of those countries. But, back to my point, please.

Yes, you are dominant. You, and your fellows, hold most of the elected offices, most of the appointed posts, and indeed are a major factor in the daily lives of all of the citizens here. But, that does not give you a blank check to discriminate against those who do not have the same beliefs and lifestyles as yours. Nor do I believe the vast majority of individuals –within and without the dominant faith- wish this discrimination to continue.

I will readily grant that you have every right to live a lifestyle that agrees with you, and your beliefs. You deserve the right to worship, eat, dress, study, and live close to those whom you agree with. You have the right to love who you want, and to participate in those relationships you feel are good, worthy, and fair; insomuch as those practices do not cause harm or undue mental duress to anyone, including those who have different religious or social beliefs.

So do I. I, and my family and friends, have every right to live a lifestyle that agrees with us, and our individual beliefs. All Americans deserve the right to worship, eat, dress, study, and live close to those whom we agree with. We have the right to love who we want, and to participate in those relationships we feel are good, worthy, and fair, again insomuch as those practices do not cause harm or undue mental duress to anyone, including those who have different religious or social beliefs.

To make clear a certain point. This freedom I believe in-the freedom I am proposing- does not include those who claim their beliefs entitle them to cause harm to any person or groups of people, i.e., that which is deemed illegal by the laws of this country or state.

We share many factors, you and I. Together, we need to educate all children, provide for our families, and see to the general welfare of the populace. The functions of government should be blind to all mentions of race, religion, national origin, sexual politics, and age. These common needs should not be discussed in language of “us or them,” who “deserves” these items more, or any other manner of separation or division.

It is time-nay, past time-to put divisions of religion and the sad bias it creates, behind us, and work for the good of all the population, the estimable good that will be beneficial for you, I, and all of the peoples of this state. It is time to stand up and say, “I care for all people.” It is time, and this is an election year, for all of us to say to our so-called elected representatives “We ALL deserve your care, your embrace, your consideration. Do not make decisions based upon bias, be it religious, national, sexual, or age-based. Make your decisions instead on what is right for all of the people, decisions based on knowledge not myth; fact not fiction; people not politics.”

It is OUR call, citizens, our call to make. Will you accept and tolerate another election of division and distortion, or will you and I demand better of our politicians?

I will. And I hope you will join me in making the same demands of our officials. It is OUR call.