UNITED WE STAND

A Familiar Phrase Redefined

By: Carlos Solórzano

Ever since 9/11 many Americans have posted the United We Stand bumper stickers pretty much anywhere and everywhere. It is meant to serve as a reminder of a horrible moment in our nation's history as well as the proper attitude that Americans in general should share. Sadly, it's still missing a reference to the most important thing that has kept our nation together, God!

Many have argued and continue to argue whether the United States of America is indeed a Christian nation due to the faith traditions of many of our Founding Fathers. But one thing that cannot be ignored is that whether one of these men was indeed a Christian or a Deist, they still believed in the existence of God, regardless of how the Supreme Being was addressed.

Now we live in a nation of secularism, depraved morality and most tragically, Christians that probably have more faith in their political ideology than they do in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, we also have a nation of fervent Christians who not only share their faith with others but sadly, insist that their faith tradition is the only true expression of Christianity.

Why do I make mention of this? Because if you look carefully at everyone that is indeed part of the American way of life, you will find that we as Christians have more allies than enemies. And if we take the time to get to know our neighbors we will find that they have more in common with us than we thought.

Perhaps that's what led the Founding Fathers to make the decision to work together on the formation of a more perfect union .

For example, many of you read my letter to President Obama on behalf of the unborn. I was floored at the number of greetings that this letter produced. But what touched me most was the fact that these well wishes came from so many people from so many backgrounds; IE. Catholics, Evangelical Christians, Lutherans, Mormons, Muslims and even scientists, counselors and several teachers. That's when it really hit me. Yes, so many people are indeed on the same page as I am on the issue of abortion but yet, how many Christians, regardless of your denominational affiliation reach out to other Christians and for that matter, other people with similar views on particular issues when it comes to rallying the troops? We are living is some rough times right now and we need to reach out more than ever to others with different beliefs.

Just like our Founding Fathers.

Consider this for future reference: One of the biggest issues of our time is Same Sex Marriage. Tragically, there are many Christians and churches that ignore their bibles and again, find themselves being more loyal to their political persuasion rather than their faith tradition. However, how many of us know of the number of people that are on the same page as us when it comes to preserving traditional marriage? Aside from the many Christian churches that defend the sanctity of traditional marriage how many of you are aware of the amount of money that the Mormon Church put into opposing California 's famous Proposition 8? This I know since my neighbors are Mormons who are in fact, an amazing family that my wife and kids have had dinner with on several occasions and even prayed with. Also, how many of you are aware of the number of scientists that also oppose Same Sex Marriage due to their belief in what they call Natural Law where the language of the human body as well as its function has led them to believe in traditional marriage and relationships. The question should then be, why weren't all of these people invited to join the cause to preserve this more perfect union?

  United We Stand is supposed to mean something.

It's supposed to refer to a nation where the oppressed go for a better life.

And how has that better life been best displayed? Consider the number of multi-ethnic children that go to our schools and play in our parks. How many of them now exist because their parents realized that they indeed had so much in common with those neighbors that looked a little different from them. I myself am one of those people. In most cases, neither parent had to compromise their beliefs or integrity because the other person in the relationship loved them for who they were.

  Now, as Christians we need to look past the boundary markers to those that look a little different and yes, believe a little different than us when it comes to certain things and ask them to join those important causes that we might be able to agree on. Who knows, if some of these people don't yet believe in Jesus Christ their fellowship with good loving Christians in political matters could be the motivating factor to get them to ask us about the man Jesus Christ and what He's all about.

  God Bless America !

CARLOS SOLORZANO has a BA & MA in Religious Studies from Cal State Long Beach. He lives in Southern Arizona and teaches theology at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson , AZ

Contact Carlos at: desert_drumming@yahoo.com