Rallying cry, too exclusive for this society
by Chris Taylor, editor-in-chief

    After the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., many businesses and newspapers have been inundating us with patriotic messages.

    In light of what has happened, it’s understandable that people want to show their support for our country.

    However, in typical American fashion, we have found a way to show our pride by alienating others.

    Currently, “God Bless America,” appears to be the unofficial rallying cry for the people of this country. That’s a fine statement if the United States happened to be a Christian-only club.

    But, it’s not.

    This country has different types of people and beliefs to make up its whole.

    We have Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, Wiccans, Hare Krishnas and other less-accepted groups.

    The phrase “God Bless America” applies only to a small percentage of the groups listed.

    It’s almost like we assume that if you’re not Christian, you’re not patriotic. That’s not true at all. I have friends of all different faiths, and they are all similarly outraged by the attacks.

    And this is not about being anti-Christian. It’s about perspective. We all are neighbors, and we should be a little more sensitive in situations that might exclude people.

    Another thing that bothers me about our new rally cry is that it makes it sound as if this is a war about religion … a holy war if you will. That was tried several times before (remember the crusades?).     Maybe that is why some Muslims seem to hate us so much.

    From their perspective, Christianity doesn’t look peaceful. It looks more like a religion bent on world domination.

    And we also seem to forget that the Muslim religion is not inherently violent; it is just misinterpreted that way.

    A good example of this would be a fanatic killing an abortion doctor.

    Such thinking is why I stay away from organized religions in general.

    They seem to bring nothing but eternal conflict. That’s not to say I hate Christians or any other group for that matter. Some of my best friends are Christians.

    It seems that we spend more time trying to divide than to come together.