Politics is an interesting arena-- despite all protestations, no one side is right all the time, and what one groups considers "the good fight" the others consider a vicious attack, or vice-versa. The end result is an endless series of compromise that, yes, often spins out of control, but it also prevents a lot of damage done. And the rules aren't constant-- they vary from situation to situation to situation, and you have rules that contradict each other.

For example, one rule is "you fight the fights you can win." This is an important rule, because you can expend too much energy fighting an uphill battle. And not only will you lose the time and resources, but people will see you fighting and make conclusions about you based on the fight. And if it's an uphill battle, most of your spectators won't be on your side.

Allow me to cite an example.

In my last piece, I said how thrilled I was that we weren't choosing this time to attack leaders for religious statements. Sadly, I spoke too soon, as one group has chosen to protest the "God Bless America" banners that are going up at local schools. Also, a number of atheists are raising complaints on the issue.

Many American people are having a hard time dealing with life after the attacks, and they're returning to faith, and to patriotism. These banners aren't just going up at schools; they're hanging from overpasses, in front of stores, and even in rear windows of cars. The song "God Bless America" is getting a lot of airplay, and in some places it's even replaced the elevator-pop music that you hear when your call is put on hold. Some sporting events are playing the song twice during the game.

This is not a fight you can win.

Of course, "you fight the fights you can win" is occasionally superceded by another rule-- "you fight the fights that need fighting." The separation of Church and State is an important issue, and sometimes you have to take a beating when you fight for important issues. Sometimes you have to rise up in the face of overwhelming opposition knowing that you're going to go down fighting. I recognize this. I respect this.

But this is not a fight that needs fighting.

This isn't religion trying to force itself on the masses. This isn't a teacher, principal, or school board making decisions or judgments about the religions of the students. This isn't the posting of scripture in the public hallways. This is barely even about "God" and what's meant with the use of that particular word. This is about National Pride, expressed by people with a spiritual need.

The right wing loves to accuse those of us who support the separation of Church and State of trying to remove God from the Nation. By refusing to allow children to be forced to pray in school, they say, we are attacking the concept of prayer. This is, of course, propaganda. We're not against prayer, we're against it being shoved down our throats by mandate of law.

Forced prayer at school never solved any problems, and never will, but this isn't forced prayer. "God Bless America" is a song, and it's about America. Yes, God is mentioned. No, they weren't specific as to which one, but yes, we know Who they meant. Yes, God is asked, in the song to... well, Bless America, and "...stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above." Yes, you could probably make a good argument that the song constitutes a prayer, but the truth is that it's a song about America, and not the God that's blessing her.

I understand that it's kind of frustrating to hear everyone talking about God, and knowing that it's not the God(s) you believe in. But this wave of religious sentiment is from the people, not just our leaders. Yes, George W. Bush has said "God Bless America" a lot lately. Are we saying that because he holds a public office, he is not allowed to hold a religious sentiment? Or are we saying that he can feel what he wants, but he's not allowed to talk about God because we don't like it? I reject this. As a man of faith, even if Mr. Bush doesn't think it's a faith, I must defend his right to express a religious opinion.

This is not about promoting a specific religion over all others. Yes, we of the religious minorities need to be on our toes to make sure that this crisis doesn't get used as an excuse to promote religion. For that matter, we have to keep an eye out for other civil liberties as well. But we should show a little perspective.

Religion serves a need in my life. It gives me strength to keep moving, and it helps hold me together in times like this. Many, many others feel the same way, but they're not my religion. Big whoop. We still have America in common, and not only is that good enough for me, it's good enough for most of them, too. These people are not a problem.

Falwell and Robertson have said that the terrorist attacks are partly because the Nation hasn't upheld THEIR notion of god. Fred Phelps is celebrating the murder of Matthew Shepard with a "God Hates America" rally. Ignoramic-Americans are harassing-- and in at least one case I've heard, murdering-- Arab-Americans. These people are a problem.

Screaming at people for praying-- or even just expressing a simple statement such as "God Bless America"-- is pointless. At best, it's exaggerating the issue, and at worst, it's Publicity Profiteering.

So let's concentrate on the United States of America. And the next time you hear "God bless America", just remember...it's cool. She probably does.

© 2001 by Cather "Catalyst" Steincamp