The Atheist Chronicles Part VII: Yes, I am a Patriotic American!

[mizkaye]

"...I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."   Former President George H. W. Bush

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers."  Current President Barack Obama 

      

  My how things have changed...the first quote was uttered in 1988...twenty-one years later, the second quote was broadcast out across the land.  First, allow me to respond to Former President Bush...suck it, George.  And for anybody who may agree with him...you can suck it, too.  I'll also respond to President Obama...thank you, sir.  For years and years atheists have felt marginalized in our country.  We've been harassed and ridiculed and been told all about what a 'Christian' nation this is...much to our dismay and the contradictory historical records. 

Much has been made about all this 'new atheism' we've seen in the last 5 years or so in our country...as if atheist didn't exist before the days of Dawkins, Hitchens and Harris.  But, we have always been here amongst you.  Oh yes, we were silent...kept to ourselves and didn't make much noise, Madelyn Murray O'Hare aside.  But we were here.  We've always been here...living, growing, marrying, raising our families.  But we've been doing something else, too.  We've been participating in our government and helping our country.  We've been fighting in our wars and teaching in our schools.  We've been volunteering in our communities and working our jobs.  And all along, we've been supporting our country and the dream of it's citizens.  A dream of equality for all...of safety and freedom and peace through strength. 

See, I consider myself a Patriot.  Do I think America is perfect?  Absolutely not...that would be silly and foolish.  But, I do think America is a wonderful nation full of wonderful people.  I do think that if you are lucky enough to be born here, then you already have it better than about 90% of the rest of the world.  I also believe that as great as we are...we can be better.  And we will be better.  After all, isn't that the dream of everybody that ever loved anything?  Take our children, for instance.  We love them, but we want them to be their best so we encourage them to do, grow, become better than they ever imagined.  We tell them if they apply themselves and really work hard and learn all they can, then they can achieve greatness.  This is what I believe patriotism is...a desire for your country to achieve greatness.  Some people would say that our country is fine just the way it is...I disagree.  There's always room for improvement for you, me and our country.  We just have to be willing to work for it...and most of us are willing to work and work hard to see our country become as great as she can be. 

I'm often told that as a liberal and an atheist that I hate America...that I blame America first for all the world's ills.  Not so...not so at all.  I don't hate America.  I don't agree with the way she has behaved in her history...but I don't hate her.  I look at what our country has accomplished...it's amazing!  I remind myself that my mother, grandmother, great-grandmother...and the women who came before them...didn't have the options and choices I have in my life.  I'm excited at the prospects my own daughter has before her...and I'm keenly aware she might not  have had these prospects had she been born in another part of the world.  I look at the racial minority family members and friends I have and my heart swells with pride...because even though things aren't perfect yet, they are much better than they were 100yrs ago...and I know that this was only possible because the people in this country came to recognize injustice and correct it when they saw it...and I am so excited that this same attitude is showing itself in regards to my LBGT friends and family members. 

I have a long family history of military service.  At this time, my cousin is preparing for his first tour or Afghanistan even though he's done 3 tours of Iraq.  My husband's cousin has also done his duty in Iraq.  Various friends have gone to Iraq and served as well.  Don't get me wrong...I strongly DIS-agree with the war in Iraq.  I think it was a huge mistake.  But, I have nothing but hope and pride for my friends and family members who picked up and left us all behind and bravely did what they promised they would do when they signed the papers and raised their hands and took that oath.  Yes, you can support the troops and not the war...yes, you can support your country but not the current policy it is pursuing.  I watched, with my husband and my baby boy as the towers fell.  I cried with the rest of my country.  I would love nothing more than to see Bin Laden's head on a stake and should we ever find him, I would be the first to champion his slow, agonizing death...but I do not, can not, support the Iraq war...and this doesn't make me less of a patriotic American...nor does being an atheist. 

I look back with pride at my country...at where she's been, what she's done and where she's going.  I am a bit fearful about where she is right now...but I am hopeful that she will come out of this like she's come out of the other scrapes she's been through.  I am excited about what my country could accomplish in her future as far as gay rights, environmental issues, and new technology.  We have a knack of going a long way in a short amount of time.  Fifty years ago, Dr. King was marching for civil rights...last year, we elected a black President!  How can anyone look at that and not be excited for our country!  How can anyone look at that and not be proud?!  I'm proud...of my country and her people and I'm proud of any small bit I may have done...yes as an atheist and as an American...to help her progress and develop to her full potential!

To all my fellow Americans...believers of every creed and religion and non-believers, HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY! 

 

[devtysmom]

Jul. 2, 2009 at 10:17 PM

Very well said!

[KelleyP77]

Jul. 2, 2009 at 10:29 PM

That was wonderful! Happy 4th to you as well.

[KristiS11384]

Jul. 2, 2009 at 10:41 PM

As a former member of the United States NAvy and an atheist, I want to sy thank you for this post.

[krisr169]

Jul. 4, 2009 at 8:45 AM

Brilliantly done Kaye!  Absolutely wonderful.  From an Atheist Airman :)