Everyone is posting...
And I'm part of everyone. Today, right now, I'm proud to be part of that everyone. I'm proud to be American. I'm proud to think we may actually be on the right path, and of a right mind to follow that path. And, as tenzil noted, as things go as they do, and there are stumbles and mistakes along the way (because there will be), I would like to remember how I felt today.
A Note About the Non-Believers.
On September 12, 2001, I wrote an impassioned plea to be included. My personal spiritual journey over the past 15 or 20 years is of little consequence to anyone but myself, but on that day I was at a place where I had no faith in any higher power. When we gathered, when everyone gathered that night to hear what words our shocked and hurt and bewildered president would say to us, in our own shock and pain and bewilderment, I wanted comfort. I wanted a sense of unity, of togetherness, an acknowledgment of everyone affected, no matter how threadbare the blanket of rhetoric would seem. I knew it could happen; I had felt it that day on the Metro, riding home with what felt like the entire Federal Government, where the crowds seemed a comfort and not a burden. When a stranger would give hand to a stranger, it helped, even if it was only because the same fear was echoed in everyone's eyes. We were already so united. Surely, surely these words would help.
President Bush made a speech, and I was right there with him. I watched with friends, and we felt all together, surely, with the rest of our country. But the words started to wear on me - there were nods to people of all faiths, as there needed to be. Because the nature of the attack stemmed from adherents of a particular religion, I understood the need to clarify the unity of those practicing every religion, by their own choice, in America. But there was no moment, no nod to those without religion, without faith. You can tell me there are no atheists in foxholes, but I am certain that there were atheists on those planes. I am certain there were atheists who lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends that day. There was no word of comfort, no matter how thin, that day for those citizens from their own elected leader. This led to my plea written on the 12th.
Today, as I watched President Obama deliver his inauguration address, I am at a different place on my spiritual journey. My relationship with God is complicated and personal, but at this point, it does exist. Whatever umbrage I may have taken with the choice of minister to lead it, the text of the Lord's Prayer still moved me. But when President Obama included "the non-believers" along with the faith communities in this country, when he stood them up to be counted, God or no, faith or no, Americans all...that was when my tears really spilled over.
Thank you, Mr. President.
A Note About the Non-Believers.
On September 12, 2001, I wrote an impassioned plea to be included. My personal spiritual journey over the past 15 or 20 years is of little consequence to anyone but myself, but on that day I was at a place where I had no faith in any higher power. When we gathered, when everyone gathered that night to hear what words our shocked and hurt and bewildered president would say to us, in our own shock and pain and bewilderment, I wanted comfort. I wanted a sense of unity, of togetherness, an acknowledgment of everyone affected, no matter how threadbare the blanket of rhetoric would seem. I knew it could happen; I had felt it that day on the Metro, riding home with what felt like the entire Federal Government, where the crowds seemed a comfort and not a burden. When a stranger would give hand to a stranger, it helped, even if it was only because the same fear was echoed in everyone's eyes. We were already so united. Surely, surely these words would help.
President Bush made a speech, and I was right there with him. I watched with friends, and we felt all together, surely, with the rest of our country. But the words started to wear on me - there were nods to people of all faiths, as there needed to be. Because the nature of the attack stemmed from adherents of a particular religion, I understood the need to clarify the unity of those practicing every religion, by their own choice, in America. But there was no moment, no nod to those without religion, without faith. You can tell me there are no atheists in foxholes, but I am certain that there were atheists on those planes. I am certain there were atheists who lost husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends that day. There was no word of comfort, no matter how thin, that day for those citizens from their own elected leader. This led to my plea written on the 12th.
Today, as I watched President Obama deliver his inauguration address, I am at a different place on my spiritual journey. My relationship with God is complicated and personal, but at this point, it does exist. Whatever umbrage I may have taken with the choice of minister to lead it, the text of the Lord's Prayer still moved me. But when President Obama included "the non-believers" along with the faith communities in this country, when he stood them up to be counted, God or no, faith or no, Americans all...that was when my tears really spilled over.
Thank you, Mr. President.