"We the People...."

So on January 23^rd, 2012…….The House of Representative in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania unanimously adopted a resolution that calls 2012 ‘The year of the Bible’. Why? House Representative laid claim that “the Bible, the word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation of peoples.” Never mind the challenge to its constitutionality, which is being argued by everyone on both sides of the debate; I would like to draw attention to the idea that our Representatives have gone out of their way to recognize the minority influence on this country and not the majority. Who is this unspoken for group that accounts for more of the population than any sectarian group? Why it’s the citizens of our country that represent the pluralistic, multicultural, multi-religious combination of peoples. But this point is ostensibly neglected, and instead the Representatives feel that a more appropriate ‘congratulatory’ resolution should state that, “renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people….” However, this seemingly innocent excerpt is much more damaging than any of the Representatives could possibly imagine. Why? Because this phrase is set to only unite ONE sect of our very diverse Commonwealth and nation. As an Atheist citizen, I share my district, my state and my nation with Muslims, Jews, Hindus, African Americans, Chinese Americans, etc. who contribute to the striving businesses and unrelenting community support that is what makes our collective unity in this Commonwealth and nation transcend the recognition of any one religion.

So I am going to make a new resolution. My resolution is to make 2012 ‘The year of all Pennsylvanians’ as to recognize the influence of all cultures, religions and ethnicities that have come together in lieu of their differences to make this Commonwealth what it is today. This state belongs to everyone and everyone deserves to be recognized, not just Christians and their pandering Representatives. I don’t believe in God, but I believe in our better natures and I believe that the solidarity of the peoples of Pennsylvania goes far beyond recognizing a book that has been interpreted more than any other piece of literature where its meanings are disputed daily. What is not disputed is that with or without that book the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and this nation is built upon and strives toward greatness because of its diversity and solidarity. We’ve had to overcome slavery, Civil War, Depression, and terrorist attacks and we did so holding hands and looking toward each other for support….not because of a book.