The John Wick

This is difficult for me because it will offend people I admire and respect. For that, I apologize. But, I must say these things because they have gone unspoken in my heart for too long.

I do not feel Americans believe in what America stands for. This election is the final straw. Not only the election, but other factors as well.

Last night, America voted for a President who is openly hostile to non-Christians. He has, on many occasions, spoken of alternate faiths in a condescending way. In this land, where religious tolerance is stated in our very first law, this President has disregarded the basic courtesy of respecting the faiths of others.

It would be simple and easy for me to define myself as an atheist. I do not believe in any religion. But I do believe in Gods. More accurately, I am an omnitheist. I believe nearly every religion has a powerful and potent message that is worthy of learning. But, in the end, I do not believe that any divine energy guides mankind’s actions.

I have studied all the world’s religions and found those powerful messages. Because of my studies, I admire and respect the religions of the world and the people who actively seek out the meaning behind their faith.

Unfortunately, there are people in the world who do not feel as I do. They believe in one God, one faith, and the damnation of all others. An everlasting torture for those who do not agree.

George W. Bush is one of these people. A man who is condescending to alternate faiths. A man who believes this country is a Christian country and no other faith belongs. Oh, we’ll let them practice their strange, backward religions, but they aren’t right. When the Judgment comes, they’ll find themselves before God and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and they’ll have to pay for their wrong-thinking. An everlasting torture for them.

If I met George W. Bush and he was aware of my lack of faith, would he treat me with respect? Would he treat me with admiration for my accomplishments? By all evidence, he would not.

We’ve heard stories from the White House. We’ve heard the stories of Bush and his circle. Those of the faith may remain. Those not of the faith are not invited. Despite their education, despite their intelligence, despite their expertise. They are “on the outside” because they do not “understand.” They aren’t “one of the chosen.” They haven’t “heard the Word.”

It is difficult being an atheist in this country. When the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” are put on the back of every dollar bill. I do not trust God. I trust people. And only certain people.

It is an ugly assumption that “we” trust “God.” An assumption that alienates the Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, and every other faith in America.

America should not trust God. It should trust itself.

Last night, eleven states added amendments to their Constitutions recognizing marriage between a man and a woman as the only valid marriage. Why?

When I got married, my wife and I went to the court house, filled out pieces of paper, signed them, and we were married. No Bible was involved and the word “God” was never spoken. We were married. Why can’t a gay couple do the same thing? Why are we forbidding a gay couple from doing that? From having the same right Jennifer and I did. From having the right to walk into the court house, sign a piece of paper and be married?

“Because marriage is a sacred institution.”

If marriage is a sacred institution, then our government has no right to sanction it. The First Amendment forbids it. The government cannot forbid some couples from being married because of a religious belief. But, that’s exactly what nine of the eleven states did last night.

Because of a 2,000 year old book that’s been through so many translations and alterations that it’s impossible to determine the original text.

I’m an atheist. It is impossible for me to gain office in this country. Impossible. Why?

Because of my lack of faith. Because I refuse to believe in anything I can’t prove. Because I don’t believe in a soul. Because I do not believe in miracles.

In short, because I believe in the science that allows me to write this on my computer at work, edit it, then send it to my live journal. Because I believe in electricity and physics and all the things that fly in the face of every religion on the planet, I cannot run for public office.

When Clinton was elected, he made his oath of office on the same Bible used during his marriage. A known adulterer, swearing on the Bible used in his wedding ceremony.

If I ever won public office, I wouldn’t swear on a Bible. I’d swear on the Constitution.

I’D SWEAR ON THE CONSTITUTION.

NOT “SO HELP ME GOD.” NO.

“SO HELP ME, AMERICA.”

 

We invaded Afghanistan. Why?

Osama bin Laden wasn’t in Afghanistan when 9/11 happened. In fact, he was never in Afghanistan after 9/11. He was in Pakistan.

Did we ask the Pakistanis to give up Osama? No. Did we know he was in Pakistan? Yes.

We asked Afghanistan to give up Osama.

But we knew he was in Pakistan!!!

The hijackers weren’t Afghanis. They were Egyptians with Saudi Arabian passports. Why didn’t we invade Egypt? Why didn’t we invade Saudi Arabia?

Did Afghanistan fund Al Quaeda? Yes. So did Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Iran and a ton of other countries.

Why did we invade Afghanistan? Because we could. Because America wanted blood and this administration gave us blood. We were a bully. And we got what we wanted.

Oh, but we didn’t. Because bin Laden is still alive and at large!

We fell for it. We were stupid. And we fell for it because we got told what we wanted to hear.

We don’t need to have kids read 1984 in high school anymore because they can read about it every day in the newspaper.

A war without end…

Against an idea…

An enemy painted to appear the way we want him to appear…

An enemy we’ll never capture…

And a state that fills its people with hate and fear.

Welcome to the New America.

I don’t like it here anymore. And I want to go somewhere else.

Somewhere where I won’t be told I’m stupid for not believing in an Invisible Man who judges my every action.

Somewhere were being gay isn’t a crime.

Somewhere where… just anywhere.

It’s cold and hateful here. And I don’t feel welcome anymore. The “American people” have told me so.

 

So, I’m packing my bags and moving to a part of the world that accepts me for who I am. A part of the world that will not judge me for my religious beliefs (or lack thereof). A part of the world that doesn’t care about what I read. A part of the world that doesn’t call me a traitor for thinking perhaps a non-violent solution may have been the right answer to 9/11.

And strangely enough, that part of the world is not America.

And that breaks my heart.