I'm not one to pick fights. I don't believe in using Facebook as a platform for political/religious/personal viewpoints and I definitely don't believe in attacking the opinions of others via a social networking site. Or in real life, for that matter. While I wholeheartedly respect everyone's views, I no longer feel comfortable silencing my disagreement with some of the things I've been hearing and reading lately, especially related to the Sandy Hook shootings. I will try to state my viewpoint as clearly and concisely as possible and I mean no offense to anyone in particular.
First, many people seem to believe that God has been pushed out of our culture. I'm the first to acknowledge that religion in society looks different than it did 20 years ago. As immigration increases, we see a pluralization of the American religious landscape; Buddhist and Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, and new brands of Protestantism and Catholicism have sprung up everywhere you turn. New restrictions on what is kosher when expressing religious sentiments in public arenas have been implemented to protect the rights of those without religious affiliations. We hear, "Happy Holidays," instead of plain old, "Merry Christmas" when we shop at Target and Kohl's this time of year. Our culture glorifies consumption, promiscuous sex, selfish, excessive lifestyles, and all manner of things which I believe hinder our right relationship with God. I see all of this.
While religion's role in society may have changed shape since the founding of this country, it has by no means been eliminated. Many fear this constant threat of "secularization" and see myriad evidence to suggest that God and Christian values are losing their social significance in our culture today. On the contrary, many sociologists believe that the secularization theory is partially a myth and cite evidence, including steady church attendance statistics, an actual increase in the amount of money donated to churches, and the growth of stricter churches, to support their point (although I couldn't locate the actual article, this evidence is cited in the 2nd edition of Sociology of Religion: A Reader, edited by Susanne C. Monahan, William A. Mirola, and Michael O. Emerson. I can provide more information on this book to anyone who is interested or wants to check my facts). When compared to many other developed countries like France and Japan, the U.S. is far and away the most religiously-centered nation. Religion, moral values, and spirituality are alive and well in American society.
I don't believe that God and religion have been pushed out of our culture. Why? Not only because of the evidence cited above, but because it has merely shifted its appearance to accommodate the individualism we so dearly treasure in American society. Officially at least, religion has become an individual thing. You are free to practice and express your religious beliefs on an individual basis as long as they don't infringe upon the rights of others. Contrary to popular belief, students are allowed to pray in schools as long as the activity "[...] is not coercive and does not substantially disrupt the school's mission and activities" (http://www.adl.org/religion_ps_2004/prayer.asp). Organized, school-sanctioned prayer is outlawed, and rightfully so. Think of it this way: if Christians lived in a predominantly Muslim state, would we want our children to be forced to utter the Muslim Zuhr and Asr prayers every afternoon in their classrooms? Doubtful. But if a child wishes to say a quiet prayer before a meal, he or she is absolutely free to do so. Individualism is both a blessing and a curse in many ways, but in this situation, I believe it to be necessary and beneficial because it preserves the rights of every citizen, not just those who happen to think their beliefs are the only "right and true" way (which is basically everyone, by the way).
This individualization of religion is not contrary to the ideals and laws on which our country was founded. According to the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [...]". The beauty of America is that everyone has the right to practice his/her religion individually without the infringement of government entities. Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, agnostics, and everyone in between has the right to exercise these powers of freedom of religion. We do not live in a theocracy and we never did. You can do what you want, with one tiny restriction: your right to practice your religion cannot infringe upon someone else's rights.
In my opinion, people are most concerned about the Christian God being "pushed out of our culture". For those who lament the loss of Christian morals in American society, I have this question: are you advocating for a theocracy dictated by religious law? Because that's exactly what Muslim fundamentalist extremists are fighting for as they shed innocent blood. As for me, I'd rather live in a society which gives me the freedom to practice my religion on an individual basis without restraint. I don't long for the U.S. to be subject to Christian law because I think it is wrong to force my beliefs on others don't share them. Because we live in a diverse society, we cannot constitutionally advocate for a society run by a particular religion.
Second, many arguments are being made to the tune of, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." While I partially agree with this statement and believe in the constitutional right of citizens to own firearms, I don't understand how harsher gun control laws and restrictions on the most dangerous weapons like assault rifles hurt anything or anyone. If you want a gun so badly, why aren't you willing to submit to stringent laws and processes to ensure that you're mentally sound and are not going to use those weapons to take innocent lives? If it comes down to a "you can't tell me what to do" attitude or a mere annoyance with inconvenience, I don't see either of these as strong arguments against guaranteeing public safety. I'd encourage everyone to take a look at this article about Japan's gun control laws and their results (http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/a-land-without-guns-how-japan-has-virtually-eliminated-shooting-deaths/260189/).
Furthermore, in congruence with strict gun control, I strongly believe in increased mental health treatment as a deterrent to these tragedies. Instead of viewing this man (I'll admit, I don't know his name as I've been trying to avoid reading too much about the shooting. I believe the sensationalized media attention only encourages copy-cats trying to be remembered in death as they were not acknowledged in life.) as evil incarnate, we must look at him as Jesus would, as an utterly broken, fallen human in immense pain. I do not believe Jesus would condemn the shooter. Instead, He would look on him with absolute sorrow and pity and would seek to restore him to right relationship. If people who are hurting can receive access to the help, love, support, and treatment they desperately need, I believe these atrocities can be avoided. Call me naive. But by labeling this man as "evil" and "crazy", we are giving ourselves permission to hate and we write him off without attacking the root of the problems in institutions, systems, and culture which pushed him to this extreme act.
Finally, I disagree with the notion that because we have pushed God out of our culture and lives, He abandons us and allows events like the Sandy Hook shooting. I do not believe in this God. I believe in a God who is so utterly pained by our brokenness that He is present and works in all things to further His plan of reconciliation. Just before His ascension into heaven in Matthew 28:20, Jesus declares, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." We have not been abandoned by God as some sort of sick punishment for rejecting Him. Instead, God is actively working in the world to restore everything to how He meant it to be at the beginning of creation. We may not understand this plan at times, but we can cling to the knowledge that God is present and active, always. I don't believe God caused this to happen but I do believe He can bring good out of this horrible situation.
I fully acknowledge that my positions are incomplete and imperfect. If anyone has an argument that might sharpen or adjust my thinking on this issue, I'm open to hearing opposing points of view. I suppose I've said my piece. The End.
Love Always,
Mandy
