1 People

“I still believe that we are one people. I still believe that together, we can do great things” - President Obama.  

This statement really resonated with me a couple weeks ago during President Obama’s State of the Union Address.  I believe the primary reason it struck a chord with me is because of the message it sends about the power of unity.  There are a number of issues that divide us in this country (i.e. gender, race, sexual orientation, political affiliation, class, religion, etc.).  The issue that stands out the most to me (and I see as an umbrella for everything else) is the topic of religion.  As I’ve gotten older, my thoughts on religion have evolved.  Now, I see God’s will for humanity as much more inclusive than I did previously and I believe it is our duty to create communities that do not exclude people because of ideology.  We are one people created in God’s image.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu once stated that Christians do not have a monopoly of God.  He said that in order for us to believe that we have a monopoly, we would have to “dismiss as delusion and vanity the profound religious and ethical truths” by non-Christians.  As I’ve grown and interacted with more people outside of my traditional circles, I have learned a lot.  I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the diversity that God has orchestrated on this planet.  I’ve met people of different faiths who have shared with me the steps they take to become closer to the Creator.  And, I have seen God move in their lives.  

So, is it God’s will for us to spend our time on earth convincing others that our understanding of God is the right one?  Or, does God want us to have a different attitude toward those outside of our faith?

A man once asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus responded and (essentially) said, “Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  When Jesus said this, he was actually quoting Jewish scripture.  This commandment also has parallels in other religions.  Could it be that our call is to love God and others as we love ourselves?  Would this not help us to live out the idea that we are one people and, in unity, we can accomplish great things?  I believe this is the direction in which we must go.  One nation.  Under God.  Indivisible.  With liberty and justice for all.