wrightandleftreport.com

Glenn Beck, courtesy of Thunderpigblog.blogspot.com

It’s remarkable that people who invoke the Founders so regularly and in such tones of devotion could be utterly deaf to the Founders’ concern to ensure freedom for mistrusted minority religions. They might start by reading George Washington’s once-famous letter to the Newport synagogue, paying special attention to this sentence: “It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts.” In Washington’s understanding, it is misbegotten even to ask the question, “Should we tolerate this?” …

A little background first:  Settlers to this wondrous new land arrived at her shores teeming with possibilities, and brimming with hope of a new life–without the scourge of religious persecution.  Early settlers, or pilgrims, were Protestant Christians who fled England because of the monarchy–and religious indifference.   They landed in search of freedom, and the right to practice their faith indiscriminately.  In the 21st century, America conservatism has effectively vilified religious and cultural difference–offering its own brand of religious persecution.

Above all else, we are a nation predicated on the freedom of religious expression.  We are allowed to practice our faith in this country–whatever that faith may be–so long as it does not violate any laws.  It was because of Protestant migration freedom of religion was included in the constitution.  The very document conservatives seem to rise and sleep with.

How do conservative Christians reconcile their ignorance with their faith here?  Surely tolerance and love– and a clear fundamental understanding of this nation’s founding document might elucidate matters more effectively.  What’s taking place now in conversations and debates on this matter far outstrips logic and reasonable disagreeance.  There is a poison strain of conservatism–more modern yet wholly archaic in its application–that seeks to engage in fear baiting, and presupposes an unnatural level of culturally superiority.  It has nothing to do with real Christianity.   How Christian is it to deny those of other faiths a place to worship and fellowship with their fellow man?  How does their God give them the power to ridicule and spit and curse those who simply need and want the space to be one with their higher source?

A funny dynamic is at play here.  Most conservatives consider black Americans blithe victims of identity politics–both by their own hand–and by the hands of their liberal benefactors.  Conservatives have no desire to fruitfully discuss matters of race–at least those matters that deal with suspected white oppression and discrimination.

It’s always assumed that blacks, for the most part, hide behind their race in order to avoid perceived real issues affecting black communities.  If that is the case, how much different is this new style conservatism Gingrich, Palin, et al. are advocating?  This fear mongering is just another example of identity politics, where conservatives feel America is under assault by undesirables whose patriotic cred pales next to their own.  How often have we heard the take America back mantra?  Too often.  How long is the exploitation of culture issues going to be accepted?  Why is it tolerable to demonize minority culture and religion and not mainstream society– where most malfeasance is not only practiced, but encouraged?

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