"I cannot give up my guidance to the Magistrate because he knows no more of the way to heaven than I do and has less concern to direct me right than I am to go right." -Thomas Jefferson
Apparently, we not only have Thomas Jefferson to thank for the Declaration of Independence, but also the First Amendment. At the time that he helped to forge the way to the amendment, he was helping a group of people who had specific religious beliefs, and while he claimed not to agree to the substance of what they said, he felt that he could and should defend their right to say it.
He believed that there was a bigger picture to the possibilities that existed in the relatively new world. He believed that LIBERTY could bind people together, and that specific religious beliefs weren't necessary. Up until that time the foundation was slowly being laid for a culture that felt that religion was necessary to hold the threads of society together.
The United States, and its people, were the "chosen" ones only as long as they did what they were "supposed" to under God. So all people were more than encouraged to play by the "rules." Saving its people was the way to save the culture that was developing. For that reason, those who didn't play by the rules needed to leave because the "world" was at stake.
The irony throughout time is that people made their way to this world in pursuit of freedom of expression, only to turn around desirous to halt other newcomer's expressions. It is highly unlikely that anyone has ever seen it that way. In addition, there have been people who have managed to look at the same things, and create different perspectives, and therefore different expectations and desires.
In watching God In America I was amazed to see history repeating itself over and over and over. The program itself never said it, but viewing what happened over time it became apparent that various generations came to the same places as those before them. It is also worthy to note that more than once those who were present at certain times in history (the Civil War, WWI) thought that Armageddon had come.
It became apparent to me through the twists and turns of the events and the historic "players" words and roles that religion itself didn't seem to be the "problem" as much as those who represented it. It is worthy to note that people always had the best of intentions in what they were saying and doing, but the idea that "good" only came in a religious form was something that got attached and hasn't been able to be successfully detached over time and, as a matter of fact, a strongly encouraged belief. There have even been times in history when it has been said that someone not religious was not patriotic.
When meanings and things get collapsed, that is when we have the greatest difficulty getting along with others who may have a different idea about how things should be. Also added to the mix was the idea of becoming "Modern." Some religions felt in the name of "progress" things should change. An interesting idea, to say the least. If an idea is a good one, does it have the ability to be dated?
God in America is about 6 hours long. A long time to sit and watch. What I found pretty cool is that on the page on the internet where you can watch the videos, they have the transcripts and a study guide and a group guide, among other things, for free. The show says that it took words from diaries and from history for those figures that it represents. It really seems more like a documentary than anything else, but if it has leanings, I would say that it doesn't make religions look all that great in how the people within them affect other people and ultimately society. It also shows how even though in this country religion and government are meant to be separate, there seems to be an inevitable possibility of a crossover.
I have heard about the Civil War in school, but never heard the idea before that it was a "religious" war, of sorts. The North thought slavery was demonic, the South thought it to be a part of God's gift/plan. Both sides were thought to believe that to preserve the world that God wanted them to have, they were required to pick up a gun and fight. Both sides thought that the other was breaking their agreement with God for this nation, and therefore the nation's relationship with God was in jeopardy.
It also discusses how schools came to be an important factor in creating "good citizens" by, of course, certain religious teachings.
I also have a new appreciation for Martin Luther King. They showed how he chose to stay outside of the circle of political power, instead of indulging in it like others had.
It covers the complexity of all of the issues in a way that makes so much sense and in a way that I have never been exposed to before. I watched the show with great interest over the course of just 2 days.
It is easy to lose track of why things are the way they are. I remember hearing a story about a woman who was cutting off the ends of a ham that she was making for a holiday dinner. When she was asked why, she said that is the way her mom always did it. When they went to the mom, the mom said it was the way her mother always did it. When they went to the grandmother and asked her why, she said it was so it would fit into the pan.
I think things like this create conversations that need to be had and encourage questions that need to be asked. People can believe and do and say whatever they like it this country and the liberty we have is pretty pure and simple, but it's the other stuff that can cloud what we do and how we do it.
Thomas Jefferson apparently had a great respect for mankind and is ability to choose wisely based on a value that all could agree upon, and appreciate. I can only hope that somewhere in the midst of everything that is happening we can find the way best to keep this great vision alive, believing in what wonderful things man is capable of, with or without a religious vision, or a belief in God.
If you have an opportunity to watch the series, please let me know what you think. I don't think it necessarily biased, but could see how some might say or think otherwise. I also realize when there is a bias sometimes it is so much of self that it is difficult to discern. Would love to hear YOUR thoughts.
To view (or explore) visit http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment