The hands that built America were those of god-fearing people. The richest and most powerful politician and the poorest and weakest homeless man both want to convince you of one thing: that they believe in God. As I passed the Freedom Tower today, a guy held up a sign–“Hungry. Please help. God bless you.” Every man that any American has ever voted for to lead their country has been a believer. “God has a plan, and we’re an instrument of His will…”, right? Or so says Barack Obama.

A few days ago, almost a hundred people lost their lives because they couldn’t recite a Muslim prayer in Nairobi. More people died in a terrorist suicide bombing in Pakistan. Last week, the Pope openly criticized the Church for being too focused on issues of birth control and homosexuality. A few days before that, a Muslim cleric chastised a woman reporter for not wearing her hijab during an interview and “provoking him.”

Our public leaders aside, this generation is the most godless to date. America and other Western countries are becoming increasingly secularized. This progressive detachment is paralleled by the increasing Islamification of the Middle East and Africa. Some would say that we are losing faith in God at a time when we are most in need of Him.

But—look back upon your last five years as an adult human being. Think about one ongoing conflict that you remember vividly—and now try to determine the root of that conflict. Almost everything boils down to a difference of ideology—and every ideology boils down to animosity due to perceived religious differences. So what I’m wondering is—do we, as a country, really need God? Is the exportation of a personal belief so important to us that we must have our leaders ascribe to a particular religion, and the right religion, at that?

I don’t think any religion teaches its follower to hate his neighbor, to kill him in the name of god, to impose upon him a way of life, to deny him love and partnership in god’s name. Religion has become a battle ground, but believers are fighting a war over which there can be no victory. Using religious verse to further arguments that are fueled by xenophobia, fear, and hatred is futile. Religion was created as an answer to man’s fear of death, his questions about the meaning of life, and his quest to find that meaning within the toils of daily life. It was created to dispel fear, to foster brotherhood, and to give hope. Today, it is used as a weapon.

 – Helena B.
 
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