In a gratifying "have you no sense of decency, Sir and Madam?" moment, Colin Powell went on "Meet the Press" on Sunday and talked about Khan, and the unseemly ways John McCain and Palin have been polarizing the country to try to get elected. It was a tonic to hear someone push back so clearly on ugly innuendo.... The former secretary of state has dealt with prejudice in his life, in and out of the Army, and he is keenly aware of how many millions of Muslims around the world are being offended by the slimy tenor of the race against Obama. He told Tom Brokaw that he was troubled by what other Republicans, not McCain, had said: " 'Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.' Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim. He's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no. That's not America. Is something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?"
I've found myself thinking a lot over the past few days about Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. For one thing, his line of reasoning was truly remarkable in it's spot-on skewering of far-Right Republican wingnuttery that long ago justified equating Islam with terrorism. Powell is, of course, correct in asking what difference it would, or should, make if Obama was a practicing Muslim. And what of the millions of peaceful, America-loving Muslims who want nothing more than to be regarded as equals and allowed to live and practice their faith in peace? After all, what was 9.11 but just another excuse and reason to hate those who look, think, and pray differently?
Terrorism is by no means the exclusive province of radical Islam. Yes, there are those who use Islam as the shield they hide behind as they plot and commit random, senseless acts of political violence. There are also those who use Christianity for the same purpose. Think Paul Hill or Eric Rudolph, por ejemplo. Right; it ain't terrorism when good, God-fearin' White Christians do it, is it? Now when swarthy Islamo-fascist nutjobs blow $#!& up....
So many White Americans seem to have conveniently forgotten that this country was founded by those fleeing religious persecution in England. They would quite happily enshrine Christianity as the official state religion and essentially force Jesus upon those of us who are not Christians. As I am one of those non-Christians, I resent intensely the implication that my "American-ness" is somehow in question. Since I don't have the right imaginary friend, my rights to the benefits of America are somehow something less than one who calls him- or herself a "Christian"...while understanding exactly nothing of the teachings of Jesus Christ?
Whether these maroons wish to admit it or not, America is a secular country, though a majority of Americans happen to call themselves "Christians". That's all well and good, but it's indicative of nothing and apropos of even less. If you happen to go to church and pray frequently...well, more power to you. Here's to hoping that you actually have a clue as to what the teachings of Jesus Christ actually say and mean for your life. And here's to also hoping that you understand the reality that Christianity is about tolerance, and charity, and love...and about all those things that make it easier for ALL Americans to have a seat at the table.
Or is it really easier for you to give your ignorance, your prejudice, and your fear free reign? As if I really need to answer that....
