Last month, my mom and I took a 24-day car ride where we drove 8,129 miles across 26 states! There were so many times that we uttered the words, “So beautiful!”
Yes, the USA is a gorgeous land. I feel so blessed to live here, not only for the beauty of the land, but also for the freedoms that I enjoy!
I also admit that it makes me nervous when religious faith comes up in conversation pertaining to patriotism or love of country. Many people believe that the founding fathers built a Christian nation.
Some may want this to be true, but it’s simply not. John Adams wrote “The United States is not a Christian nation any more than it is a Jewish or a Mohammedan nation.” (The Treaty Of Tripoli November 4, 1796.)
So what is our place as people of faith living in this country? No matter what our faith may be, I believe we can all find commonality in the fact that we are free to worship and participate in our faith as we wish.
We are also free not to! We are free! For this fact, let’s be grateful!
As people of faith, instead of trying to take over the rule of this country, let’s look for ways that we can co-exist with all people. Judaism teaches: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).
Jesus taught, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Luke 10: 25 – 27).
The Qur’an tells us, “Because everyone is created by God Almighty, the Maker of all, humans must treat one another with full honor, respect, and loving-kindness” (Qur’an 17:70).
As we celebrate the birth of our nation, let’s simply be grateful. Let’s do our best to show our love for God (as we understand God) by loving each other.
It’s all about LOVE. Let’s live that truth!
