I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.
-- John Adams
Our nation absolved allegiance from the British Crown in order to rule itself on July 4th, 1776 by issuing the Declaration of Independence.
This event makes every Fourth of July special. Each Fourth of July marks one more year that this nation has remained free. And today, we've reached 233 years now.
Let us all contemplate how wonderful liberty is. Let us all appreciate our freedom by learning about where it came from in the first place.
Let us be grateful for all servicemen and servicewomen who sacrifice and join our all-volunteer military so that our freedom is protected.
Be grateful for the democratic process and our elected officials who participate in this great political experiment. And be grateful for our justice system. Even with the flaws and frustrations of our legal system, we could be worse off.
And be grateful that we can complain to our elected officials and even poke fun at them when it suits us, because we have freedom of speech and expression.
And, thank your God, should you believe in him (or her) -- exercise your freedom of religious expression.
And if you are a non-believer, breath in the fresh air of freedom because you may exercise your freedom of personal expression and freedom of any sort of religious oppression.
Think of how ancient Greece and Rome once stood as beacons of light to the rest of civilization. Then consider how these empires fell and plunged the world into the Dark Ages. Consider the events which characterized the Dark Ages, then think on the Age of Enlightenment and how it emerged from that period of darkness. Consider how great minds, great discoveries, and great words of expression re-kindled the flame that illuminated the dark world once again.
Know that liberty is the cornerstone of enlightenment; Liberty enlightens the world.
Think on the original name of our great Statue of Liberty. Consider how it was a gift from the French who helped us during our Revolution. Then take time to contemplate the French's role in the Enlightenment era. And take time to think about how a French sculptor took symbols from the best of world civilization and embodied them in our greatest monument of freedom -- a token given to our country to celebrate it's centennial birthday.
Celebrate this day. Eat some potato salad and barbecue. And if your vegan, eat some barbecue tofu in honor of this day.
If you had to work today, I hope you can still take time to celebrate. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your freedom -- even if you have to take a rain check and celebrate tomorrow.
My Dirty Little Secret . . .
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About Me:
- Uruk
- United States
- So . . . ya wanna know about me? Read my blog! Okay, okay . . . seriously -- I'm a closet ex-Christian. There. I said it. I've been so afraid to tell my Christian friends and family members that I've lost my religious beliefs. I've hid this since 2005. But now I'm desperate to pour out my thoughts about my changing beliefs. Yes – this is my dirty little secret. I can't keep it to myself any longer. But, I can't tell this to the believers still in my life. I don't want to injure their faith. I don't want to infect them with the doubt that I've contracted. I don't want to drive a wedge between me and my Christian friends and family members.
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5 comments:
During an attack on my faith, I was once accused of being "typically American" in my staunch beliefs. I found that I was actually quite proud of that.
America is certainly not perfect (what country is?) but she is great. Yes, we make mistakes (I can think of quite a few) but we also feed the world's poor while we could be rebuilding our roads. We provide homes for those who have lost theirs to war and famine and corruption while our own are living in the streets. We put other people's needs before our own and yet the world dares to call us selfish?
I am proud to be American. I don't see America the way the rest of the world (and even many Americans) view her. I see her as a beacon of hope. A place where anyone really can be successful. A place where anything is possible. I see America as something really and truly great.
I believe in the Progressive America theory of historians. The idea is that even though we stumble and slide backwards (Vietnam War, Japanese internment camps, Iraq War, torture etc), America is progressively getting better. We are a better land now than we were 10, 20, 30 years ago. And in another 30 years we will be better yet. Yes, there will be times when we question what the hell we are doing, but in the end: we improve.
So yes, I do love my country. I love her because when she is right she helps the world be better and I love her because when she is wrong, she rallies and forces herself to change to be better.
:whistle:whistle:whistle:
Nevermind me....just hanging out here...Uruk? I'm going to need to you swing by. :)
The Lion:
First, a little FYI-- I tried to comment on your most recent post, but the comment box doesn't come up. I tried in both IE and Firefox. I'll try again soon.
As for me, I've tried to work on my next blog post but I have been inundated with new responsibilities because a loved one has gotten into some deep trouble.
Your comment has piqued my curiosity. You said "During an attack on my faith, I was once accused of being 'typically American' in my staunch beliefs".
I'd like to more to hear more details about that. Who was attacking you? Why did they equate your faith with being "typically American"?
I tend to agree with your outlook on progressiveness. I think progressiveness does move in a " two steps forward, one step back" pattern within our country. I'm also starting to believe that the younger generations after us will care more about truly important things rather than keeping the status quo.
I love the United States, too. And I respect the freedom of religion as much as freedom from it. Both must be made available-- not just one or the other.
Well, I'll drop by your site again soon to try and post my thoughts about the story you shared. I hadn't heard about it until reading it at your site.
"First, a little FYI-- I tried to comment on your most recent post, but the comment box doesn't come up. I tried in both IE and Firefox. I'll try again soon."
Well that is just a bunch of crap! Fixing it as we speak! Thanks for the heads up!
"As for me, I've tried to work on my next blog post but I have been inundated with new responsibilities because a loved one has gotten into some deep trouble."
Oh dear. I hope all is well. I shall wait patiently.
"Your comment has piqued my curiosity. You said "During an attack on my faith, I was once accused of being 'typically American' in my staunch beliefs".
I'd like to more to hear more details about that. Who was attacking you? Why did they equate your faith with being "typically American"?"
It was a 'lovely' online poster who happens to be Atheist but also incredibly ignorant and rude and French. He assumed that because he couldn't convince me that my faith was flawed by throwing scientific facts around (all of which I was already well aware of) I must be being willfully ignorant, stubborn, arrogant, closed minded and oh so very "American."
"I tend to agree with your outlook on progressiveness. I think progressiveness does move in a " two steps forward, one step back" pattern within our country. I'm also starting to believe that the younger generations after us will care more about truly important things rather than keeping the status quo.
I love the United States, too. And I respect the freedom of religion as much as freedom from it. Both must be made available-- not just one or the other."
I agree on all points. I think some religious people tend to forget that the same right that protects their practice of faith also protects those that do not practice faith.
"Well, I'll drop by your site again soon to try and post my thoughts about the story you shared. I hadn't heard about it until reading it at your site."
Please do. And anyone else can feel free to do so as well....just saying!
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