In God and Godless Americans We Trust ?!?!

It is amazing to watch folks declare their morality - in an attempt to somehow elevate themselves to the position of GOD, Yaweh, Allah, or whatever they choose to call "IT." In some way, this declaration is supposed to put them over the top and make them - closer to salvation then the next guy or gal.

Growing up Christian, I have gone through and continue to go through the rituals (communion, baptism, praying, etc). As an adult however, I have studied and sought to understand other religious beliefs. I have been exposed to (and have friends) that are Jewish, Muslim, Atheist and some that are just simply Spiritual with no apparent affiliations. What I have discovered in my true friends is that we put aside our differences and engage in conversations that revolve around common things like family, security, relationships, food recipes, books, music entertainment and working together to create better world to leave for the next generation.

Having the opportunity to live in various parts of the world, my associations tend to be more international (for lack of a better description). With that, I have been able to learn a lot about cultural experiences and norms of various societies, which is at the core of my "IT."

So, as we go through this very difficult time in our financial, political and yes-Spiritual journey as a people, I think back to the once famous anthem - "We Are The World, We Are The Children." That song and associated efforts moved millions to take on the challenge of ending hunger, and securing a better world "For You and For Me."

With barely 2 days left to the US Presidential Election, I have wondered time after time what has brought us to this place where polarizing thoughts, words and deeds seem to be at the core of our debates. With so many claiming GOD, is HE/SHE not THE ultimate DECIDER (contrary to the speech of some leaders)? Since when did we start believing that we could somehow cast GOD aside and become THE MORAL MAJORITY standing in judgment of all those that go against what we PERSONALLY believe?

I'm going to put it out there and say that - perhaps we have lost our way and have begun to IDOL worship. Yes you heard me correctly! Our IDOLS have become those same systems, individuals and institutions that we are finding ourselves betrayed by. In the midst of feeling disillusioned, we are clinging onto our "security blankets" to help us find peace and comfort. Talking to and listening to people conducting our national and international dialogue - it seems that we have indeed lost our focus and placed it in something other than the GOD we all so vehemently THINK we are representing.

"IN GOD WE TRUST" is on every single dollar bill and is supposed to represent the core of our economic, political and social systems. So now that the DOLLAR and the systems that have supported it seem to be collapsing, we are lost and suddenly returning in droves to a spiritual or supposedly GOD centered place - to explain things.

Examining the current crisis, I am reminded of the day THE WORLD TRADE CENTER fell and we watched those buildings vanish in front of our eyes, collectively gasping an "OH MY GOD!" It did not matter what language, culture or religion we said it in, but we said it together almost instinctively.

I will also, say that our economic, political and social standing in the world was challenged on that day. The people or persons that wanted to make a statement about our policies did so loud and clear on that day. However, now that we are several gazillion dollars in debt, we still do not know who the perpetrators were, have questionable status on the world stage, and I will go out on a limb and say that perhaps we now have more enemies within and without our borders.

Fundamentally, the practice of AN EYE FOR AN EYE a (very old testament move) seems to have delivered what I would characterize as ECONOMIC TERRORISM. The enemy we have been seeking has somehow INVADED our homes and eroded our TRUST. TRUST in our BANKS, TRUST in our CORPORATIONS, TRUST in our LEADERS, TRUST in COUNTRIES, TRUST in our EMPLOYERS, TRUST in our EMPLOYEES, TRUST in our FAMILIES, TRUST in our NEIGHBORS, TRUST in our COMMUNITIES and plain old TRUST in OURSELVES. - And, when TRUST is lost in ANY relationship, DIVORCE is sure to follow.

So how do we move forward?

Without knowing the shoes someone has walked in,truly KNOWING and making a DECISION about their relationdhip with GOD, IS IMPOSSIBLE. Finally, who are WE to judge someone else? Remember; "judge not lest ye be judged?" Well, the recent DEFAMATION lawsuit filed by Kay Hagan (Democrat) against Elizabeth Dole & Elizabeth Dole Committee, Inc (Republican) shows how far the religious card has been played. Ms. Dole claimed in an ad that Ms. Hagan was intimately involved with a group called the GODLESS AMERICANS, bringing Hagan's religion into question thus her moral character. Since Hagan is a Democrat by affiliation - her association with the "GODLESS AMERICANS" was to somehow prove that GOD Centeredness is not DEMOCRATIC but REPUBLICAN by definition.

If we are to truly heal our nation and world, we must once again become our brothers/sisters keepers, begin doing on to others, and become like little children and finally TRUST enough to TRULY let GO AND LET GOD - We must begin to communicate, share experiences, stop name-calling, labeling, pre-judging, and let the TRUTH bare witness for us.

As I look around and examine the current state of our affairs, I wonder if we can truly stand together as a nation and a world and honestly say; "IN GOD WE TRUST!"