I couldn't vote for this bill. I don't like that whiff of defensiveness that clings to it, as if the authors had spent too much time thinking about an alleged "war on Christmas" to which a certain television network has devoted much attention.
But could it be amended? Not easily. But let's see. We might start by dealing with the numbers quoted. They represent an extremely diverse group, theologically and ecclesiastically, and incorporate a great many who don't recognize each other as Christians as well as those who might be described as only nominally within the faith. On the other hand, we might insert a statement I once heard from the great Rev. Gardner Taylor, a fellow panelist here, in response to a question he got about the success of so-called megachurches. Don't be overly impressed by crowds, I recall him saying. Wise and memorable words.
If Congress wants to honor Christianity... Gee, I can't finish that sentence. It seems out of place here in America, among whose unique, founding ideas (see the First Amendment) is that neither Christianity nor any other faith needs such a thing. Jefferson and Madison, among others, knew that religious organizations would better endure, even thrive, when acting as their own interpreters, without elected officials getting in the way. Sure, politicians are free to say whatever they will about their personal faith or lack thereof. In general, they tend to be lousy theologians (Lincoln excepted). But getting together as a body to write a declaration that amounts nearly to a recognition of a state religion...? That takes us back to Emperor Constantine, doesn't it?
Look, if our representatives want to say something truly meaningful about religious faith in the United States, let them quote verbatim from George Washington, who said it best in a letter he wrote to the Jewish congregation at Newport, R.I., in 1790:
"The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support."
Amen.
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