I’d like to respond to John Bossange’s excellent commentary on Christian Nationalism.
As a young man, I found religion. I believed I was holding the Word of God, the perfect truth, in my hands. The teachings opened an exquisite world of understanding. The deeper I went, the stronger my convictions. “How could anyone not believe this?”
The more I learned, the more I felt many had strayed into error. I sought to spread the word, a form of religious advocacy. I also became judgmental — clearly a false path. And religious advocacy is a perilous one: It can ensnare a person in the matters of this world.
But Jesus taught, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36). Jesus was offered all the kingdoms of the world, but he declined. (Matthew 4:8-12). Sending his disciples out to teach, he advised them to be “as harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).
There are many paths of religious devotion: ritual, obedience, faith, scholarship, emulation of the teacher, relationship with higher power, spiritual understanding, inspiration, spiritual growth, and real-world application. Many have observed that the deeper one goes into religion, the less difference there is between them all.
It is a temptation to believe the world would be better if everyone was under the guidance of your favorite belief system. Unfortunately, this has never worked out. The fact is, we all would still be human, each a unique creation. Diversity will never end, and it need not be feared. The Creator hears all prayers.
Duane E. Sherwood
Winooski
