Like Minded

Last Saturday morning we went to Washington D.C. to the Restoring Honor rally hosted by Glenn Beck. It was amazing to be there in many ways. I felt like I was taking part in a significant historical event. I think it's clear it was a historical event even though some would dismiss it as a sham or hijack of MLK's historic significance. It's like the kinds of events you grew up reading about in history books or seeing on some History Channel episode. But this time instead of watching or reading about "those people" who attended, I was actually one of them; someone actually taking part in history. I keep thinking about what my part in it is. Just being there and adding one more body to the crowd count at a minimum. But is there more to it? I ask myself: "what more can I do?" as if I had all this spare time to do things (like write a blog at 6:00 am).

Several co-workers, upon realizing my family and I went to the rally (mostly because I have a picture of the crowd on my computer wallpaper) ask "what was it about?" or "why did you go?". I find it hard to answer the question on many levels. For one I think "don't you see what's happening?" but then I realize they don't. Not many people have "awakened" to what's happening in our country, except the 30M+ of us who are now paying attention. But the question still rolls around my head: Why was I there? At a simple level I was there because I felt I had to be. My awakening to the realities of what's happening in our country drove me to seek out others who see the same things going on and feel the same way I do about them. I certainly found those people Saturday, August 28, 2010 in Washington D.C.. The place was full of people, 500K+ in my view, all like minded individuals who share the same concerns, hopes, values, fears, and convictions that I do. Much of the theme was centered on God and restoring that component to our nations values. So how does an atheist fit into that group of people, in that venue and still claim to be "like minded"? I think it's easy (speaking from experience): We agree on the message of values and pricipals Even though I don't believe in divine providence or an invisible hand, I don't degrade or think less of those who do. If having faith (in anything) makes it work for you, gives you peace or direction, or strength then by all means go for it. Glenn certainly has been helped by his faith to turn his life around (an inspiring story actually).

Why do some (atheists, progressives, on the left, etc.) have a problem with the concept that our Founding Fathers (many of them) felt that man's rights came from God and that our countries founding principals were inspired by God? I don't have a problem with it. Just because I don't believe in God doesn't mean others shouldn't. I don't think they are deluded in some way by their faith, just like i'm not deluded in some way by my lack of it. To me it's a personal choice: It's part of who you and I are and why (in some cases) I like you. What works for me may not work for you, and that's OK. I respect the faith and convictions of others, even if I don't share them or for that matter agree with them.

All that said: I think it's completely valid to consider God's role in our nations values and founding principals. While I don't agree on the source of them, I do agree on the content and intent of them. To me, the author/source/inspiration is a matter of intellectual debate for some other place and time and I honestly don't mind personally accepting that some guy named God (who was a man or represented the best thoughts and intents of man) was the source of those values & principals. We do need Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith that we can make a difference. Hope that more poeple will share those values. Charity for helping our fellow man (and yes women) in all ways. Those principals apply regardless of who you are or what you think. I completely agree our rights do not come from the government or any man. The Left calls them "human rights" and that works for me. Again the author isn't the issue for me. Unfortunately they (some on the Left) only see those rights as a tool to leverage more power over those same humans so they can ultimately take those rights away from individuals in the name of "the greater good" of scociety. That's what makes blood shoot out of my eyes.

So while you may not find me in church with you praising the deity who inspired those values and principals we both agree on; you can certainly count on me to be there with you applying those values and principals in order to restore honor to our country and our lives.

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