AMERICA  IS   A  MULTI-FAITH   NATION

by Rev. John Heidel 

In our brief history, the United States has evolved into a nation of many faiths.  These thoughts are inspired by several recent pieces in the Star Advertiser about the connection between morality and voting and based on my personal experience, locally,  in interfaith activities.

This national evolvement hasn’t been easy and we’re still working on our attitudes of acceptance and assimilation toward those who appear different.

For 400 years, each recent arrival has faced the unwarranted prejudice of fear and hate; ignorance and misunderstanding toward people of a different race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion has been the experience of most immigrants.

Of course, it began with the first immigrants from western Europe and their prejudice toward the Native Americans.  A similar history is portrayed in Australia and Hawai’i by the treatment of native cultures.

Regarding the cruelly archaic attitudes of prejudice, we all need to encourage the modeling of openness and acceptance  within the basic institutions of American society; family, religion, education, government and business.

Without the fundamental undergirding of moral character that include basic manners, decision making skills, how to maintain healthy relationships and what it means to be good citizens people will continue to suffer from prejudice.

Regarding the issue of religious pluralism, we encounter areas that are equally complex but also more deeply personal and individual.

As a Christian minister for over 50 years, I’ve witnessed the wide range of beliefs and practices within this religion and have experienced the difficulties of complete acceptance and understanding.

My conversations with people of other faiths have made me aware that they experience similar complexities and difficulties.

Those of us within the interfaith community are, no doubt, considered progressive in the practice of our respective faith traditions.  We believe all faiths deserve equitable acceptance within the parameters of compassion and non-violence.

We are united in our efforts to challenge all manifestations of extremism, absolutism, prejudice, violence, and  exclusivism.  We are also united in our engagement toward the fostering of community cooperation and mutual respect between all faith traditions.

In addition, we reject all suggestions of ever becoming a Christian nation or state.

Every two years, as America holds it’s free elections, some conservative Christians become active in two ways: 1) suggesting that we should declare ourselves a Christian Nation and 2) by publicly endorsing particular candidates from the pulpit; usually those who support their personal socio/political agenda.

Progressive people of faith not only think these actions are unconstitutional but, also, contrary to the fundamental principles of justice and freedom – upon which America was established.