So on January 23rd,
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 states and country.
The resolution states that “renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through
holy scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people….” 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 contributes 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…not because of a book.
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