FyreDancer's Speech to the Religious Freedom Festival, 2004. 

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

So begins our Bill of Rights with the first amendment to our constitution.

For more than two hundred years our country has stood as a shining example to the rest of the world regarding personal religious freedoms.

Our constitution guarantees the right to religious expression, as well as the right to be free from religion’s imposed upon us by our Government’s leadership.

Today more than ever in our history, the United States of America has become not only a nation of diverse cultures, but a nation of diverse religious beliefs.

We are embraced by a rainbow of religious diversity celebrated in Mosques, Temples, Groves and Churches across our great Country.

We as Americans enjoy the ability to assemble peaceably and worship our chosen God or Gods as we see fit without the fear of attack or prosecution by our own government.

As wonderful as this sounds, all is not paradise in the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Even here in our own Country peoples of different religious or spiritual beliefs tend to distrust, misunderstand, or even persecute that which they do not comprehend.

Some have even stated publicly that a Country of one religious system is somehow better than a Country of many.

We as Americans above all others should realize that it is our diverse nature that gives us strength as a nation, and not our sameness.

We as Americans should realize that what makes us unique in the world is our ability to come together as one nation of many faiths and cultures, unified by our diversity.

In 1776, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson proposed the phrase, “E Pluribus Unum “ One from Many, as the motto for the great seal of the United States of America.

They recognized more than two hundred years ago that a Country made up of individual states;

Brought together collectively for the good of all;

And governed by the will of the people, would stand the test of time.

They were right then, and they are still right today.

Religious diversity like Political diversity creates a host of problems that we in American Politics face everyday.

Republican’s disagree with Democrats on the issues.

Democrats disagree with other Democrats on the same issues and I will bet that Republicans disagree with each other on the issues as well.

We agree, to disagree. We argue, bargain, negotiate and compromise. And out of this apparent chaos comes policy and at least some sense of order.

Everyday I hear the complaints about our government’s elected officials; ineffective, doesn’t represent my views, wasteful, and more.

Many of those same individuals admit they never vote.

Well today we come together as Americans to celebrate our freedom to worship as we choose.

A freedom that we should not take for granted.

The freedoms granted to us as citizens of this great country were bought and paid for by the lives of our ancestors in a bloody war against the King of England.

And those same freedoms are protected by the continued vigilance of concerned citizens today, such as yourselves, that exercise your right to vote in every election.

Many times I hear the comment that two things should never be discussed among friends; Politics and Religion.

I stand here today to ask you to make a dedicated effort to discuss these two issues not only with your friends and neighbors, but your colleagues at work, and those who may not necessarily share your views.

When we choose to be silent about our carefully thought choices for the future direction of this great country, we allow others to make these important choices for us.

We are in reality saying that what ever is decided by those in positions of power is our will as well.

In a democracy such as ours this attitude is unacceptable.

As a person of faith and a political representative of my community I have found the separation of church and state to be a very real and necessary part of our political system.

As I said earlier, all is not paradise in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Persecution, religious intolerance and bigotry are often byproducts of a national policy of religious freedom. Where many cultures are melded together misunderstanding can, and often does occur.

This is why we as American’s must be ever vigilant in our united purpose to promote and nurture a religiously diverse community.

A community that favors no one faith system or religious belief over another, where all peoples can feel free to worship, celebrate, or commune with Deity, as they see fit.

A nation of many different peoples, from many different places, sharing in this great experiment called Democracy.

I love this Country, I was born here and have lived here all of my life.

We have majestic mountains and rolling plains to the North and West of us.

We have beautiful oceans as far as the eye can see, both East and West.

We have a sky above that reflects the wonders of the Milky Way and paints the land in glorious sunshine anew each day.

All this is here for us to enjoy, we have much to be thankful for.

Nature has always provided mankind with a never ending kaleidoscope of beauty, this as a backdrop for contemplation about the age old questions such as;

Why am I here ?

For what purpose is my life ?
 

And,

Are we alone in our humanity ?

Religions and other spiritual paths have all sought to help mankind answer these and other difficult questions about our very existence.

A life concerned only with matters of our earthly existence soon finds life somewhat hollow, lacking in substance, seeking something more.

For some of us this drive for that something more, leads us to a Humanistic perspective. We want to give back to our fellow man in honor of that which we have been given in this life.

Others among us wish to thank the creator, or honor our ancestors, for their part in our happiness and success.

And still others, are driven to find that small quiet spot among the oaks, and commune with Mother Nature.

Sometimes we just need to vent our concerns to that all knowing, ever listening presence we call by many names.

True Religious freedom in America must mean all religions, all faith systems and include all people.

These past couple of years I have been witness to several events that have galvanized my view on religious freedom in America.

Shortly after the September 11th attack on the twin trade towers in New York, I was alerted by one of my Moslem friends to attend a local church and hear their guest speaker.

My friend saw a billboard posted in front of the Church on her ride home from work and it read:

Sermon this Sunday, the true meaning of Islam.

Well this sounded innocent enough, and I agreed to go with a small group of Muslim Americans to the Sunday service.

As we entered the Church that day I could feel the fear emanating from the people around us.

Several of the women in our group wore the traditional headdress common to Islamic women all over the world, and they made no attempt to hide the fact that they were Muslims.

There were about 10 of us all together that Sunday, we sat up front near the Pulpit, and the Guest preacher was soon introduced.

Well I will never forget that day as long as I live.

Holding a copy of the Koran in one hand the guest preacher boldly proclaimed, “ this is the word of Satan! ”

It was all down hill from there, I along with my Muslim friends were then subjected to the most degrading, inaccurate and insensitive so called sermon I had ever heard !

About 10 minutes into the presentation the women sitting to my left tapped me on the shoulder.

When I turned to face her she was sitting there visibly shaking, tears running down her cheeks.

In a somewhat feeble voice she said; “ We do not worship Satan “

This guest speaker continued on for about 30 minutes before ending his personal assault on Islam and the many American citizens that share this faith.

I stood firm, I reported the incident to the authorities, I felt sadness for my friends, I wrote the newspaper about the event.

Later that night, at home, I cried.

I found out some time later that some of the same people who shared this horrific experience with me were being taunted by passing vehicles, as they walked home from work.

Some had things thrown at them from passing cars.

Why ?

Because they were Muslims…

In another unrelated incident, a local Wiccan group had their sacred circle area desecrated by unknown persons.

The alter was overturned, some ceremonial items were stolen, and others were burned.

No one was ever charged with the crime…

In my life I have known of Swastikas being painted on synagogues.

Churches being vandalized and burglarized.

Mosques being desecrated with religious slurs.

And other such atrocities not fit to speak of today!

All this in a Country that proudly proclaims, religious freedom for all.

I don’t wish to leave you here today with the impression that all, or even most, Americans share this attitude of religious intolerance.

Fortunately for us, most American’s share a genuine desire to live, and let live, when it comes to matters of religious beliefs.

We realize that we live in a world of many cultures and differing systems of faith.

I have also seen Churches working together with Mosques and Synagogues to feed the poor, house the homeless, and care for the indigent.

I have heard of a Church coming to the aid of a Jewish Temple to offer their sanctuary after a fire destroyed it, so that Temple services would not be interrupted.

I know of Wiccan groups collecting supplies and money to send to a battered women’s home, and to help support a local animal shelter.

And there are many more examples of peoples of differing faith systems working together for the good of all Americans.

I guess you could say that I have seen the some of the best and some of the worst that religion has to offer the people of this great Country.

To those of you who wish to take this Country to new and even greater heights of prosperity and unity I say to you;

You are not alone, how may I help you ?

To those of you who think that intolerance, hate and religious persecution are a part of the American way I say to you, watch your back, I am there to make sure your ideas never prosper or see the light of day.

I am but one person, but as American’s we are many, and we will not tolerate religious persecution in the United States of America.

Not in my City,

Not in my State,

And not in my Country !

Remember the words of Adams, Franklin and Jefferson more than 200 years ago; E Pluribus Unum. One from many.

We stand united !

We are a Free People

We are American’s !

Thank you.