Dear J.A an T.J,
Much has changed since your demise nearly two centuries ago. The nation you founded was one built on the Puritanical beliefs brought by the first settlers of Colonial America, in hopes of finding their very own, city on a hill. Nowadays, the United States has come to signify, diversity and acceptance of all creeds and faiths living and practicing, as they so wish.
If you were both alive today, I feel you’d understand the notion, of what and who God is, is indeed very different in the year 2010 than what it was in your time. What you may find unsettling is that people have stepped out of God’s shadow. By this I mean, we no longer measure our strengths by God’s grace but more by our own actions and capabilities.
Thus the role of religion, has been somewhat relegated. It’s function in matters such as politics and education challenged over and over again until it has become painfully obvious that it’s in the very best interest of both State and Church that the two be kept separate from one another.
Having said this, it would be a mistake to believe that the people of America have become Godless. In fact the majority of the American population, still favor the belief in divine presence be it Christ, Allah or Yahweh. There is also a growing emergence of those who profess no faith at all and others who believe in a higher power but don't know for sure. In the year 2010 , this is their God given right - no pun intended !
Finally, the definition of God is ineffable. Some call him, " The great man in the sky" others may refer to him only through the use of the word Karma. To each his own. That should be the definition for God in the dictionary.
To end this letter, I offer only the phrase “One nation under God”, to convey the attitudes of The American people. God has not been forgotten in the United States. He lives in the very foundation, America rests on.
I had to comment that this picture actually made me crack a smile. I also stopped by to expand on your post. I definitely agree that God 's definition is different from the time JA and TJ wrote their letters. Many people claim they are atheists, but they believe in karma. Though people may or may not believe in God, it seems that everyone still believes in the same thing and have a common thread though it may not be labeled God. Everyone strives to live to the best of their ability and do good. They believe whether it is karma or God that energy does have an impact on the universe. Maybe everyone does believe in an outside power, whether it be Mother Nature with hurricanes creating a Noah's Arc like story, or the Virgin Mary appearing to Saints. God or not, something else is in control of the world and not just humans. So define God.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input! It's very much appreciated. : )
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