Last week, I watched a series I found on Netflix streaming called ‘Billy Connolly’s Route 66′. Actor/comedian Billy Connolly takes a very entertaining ride on one of America’s most beloved roadways and introduces us to colorful people and places he meets on the way. He also teaches us important history about the country that many not know or remember. There are a many shows out there with this same format but Connolly manages to make this travelogue fresh and humorous and also emotional and thought provoking. I highly recommend a viewing.
Connolly begins his trek in Chicago and talks with an African-American artist who lived during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. They talk about the different levels of racial discrimination and the policies of segregation that existed back then and what it was like for African-Americans to travel. Many hotels, restaurants and other public establishments did not allow “people of color” and the artist mentions a book called The Negro Motorist Green Book. Its publisher, Victor H. Green, “wanted to save the travelers of his race as many difficulties and embarrassments as possible.” The book contained a list of hotels, restaurants, boarding houses, hair salons, barber shops and other establishments that were “safe” for African-Americans to patronize during their road travels.
The Green Book was published from the late 1930s until 1964. I was born in 1964 and it still boggles my mind that that level of racial unjust took place during my lifetime. Racism, of course, still exists in many forms but we have come so far since 1964. However one feels about his performance as President, the election of Barack Obama in 2008 was an incredible and historic stride in overcoming our ugly racial discriminatory actions and policies of the past. This country was founded and has flourished from revolutionary concepts of freedom and government. The Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights are monumental documents detailing the rights and freedoms of all individuals. But this is also a nation that produced the Indian Removal Act, The Klu Klux Klan, The Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese American internment, The Jim Crow Laws and many other forms of sanctioned racial segregation and discrimination.
During the recent presidential election cycle, there was talk (as is in most election cycles) that America needs to return to its Christian roots and values. I have always had a problem with the belief is that this country was founded on the principles of Christianity. I do not have a problem with Christianity — I am a Christian — I believe in the teachings of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ. I try to live my life by His teachings and His example (sometimes successful, sometimes not). What I have a problem with is the belief that the United States was established as a primarily Christian nation. Maybe that sounds strange coming from a Christian, but I believe it’s important to take a realistic look back to our past and acknowledge that we were never the Christian utopia that some think we were.
The first group of pilgrims that came to this country in 1630 left England because of religious persecution and wanted a place to worship freely. As the years went by, it became clear that this new nation could and should not be a theocracy because there were already several different Christian sects/denominations that each had their own rules and ways of worship. Most of the founding fathers did believe in Judeo-Christians ethics — that is a fact. But there were some like Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine who did not adhere to the principles of Christianity and made it very clear that the government of the United States should not be grafted to a particular religious belief. Freedom of Religion and the Separation of Church and State were integral parts of this country’s creation.
History shows us that there were many Godly people in our past and it is true that the Judeo-Christian Ethic has been deeply rooted in our government and society. But this country was also created with the hope that all could come here without fear and worship as they please. Check out these excerpts from an excellent and detailed article about America and its religious past by Kenneth C. Davis (link to full article below):
…the U.S. Constitution clearly stated in Article VI that federal elective and appointed officials “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution, but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” This passage—along with the facts that the Constitution does not mention God or a deity (except for a pro forma “year of our Lord” date) and that its very first amendment forbids Congress from making laws that would infringe of the free exercise of religion—attests to the founders’ resolve that America be a secular republic. The men who fought the Revolution may have thanked Providence and attended church regularly—or not. But they also fought a war against a country in which the head of state was the head of the church. Knowing well the history of religious warfare that led to America’s settlement, they clearly understood both the dangers of that system and of sectarian conflict.
In 1786, the Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom, modified somewhat from Jefferson’s original draft, became law. The act is one of three accomplishments Jefferson included on his tombstone, along with writing the Declaration and founding the University of Virginia. (He omitted his presidency of the United States.) After the bill was passed, Jefferson proudly wrote that the law “meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew, the Gentile, the Christian and the Mahometan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.”
Even if none of the preceding statements were true, one major contradiction remains: slavery. How could a nation based on the principles of Christianity coexist with the evils of slavery? Since developing a love for history in my youth, I always wrestled with that question. In my school textbooks, I was told of a new nation with great promise that eventually made decisions that were contrary to the ideas of freedom and justice that they were declaring to the world. The gradual removal of virtually all of the original inhabitants of the “New World” and the decision to engage in the slave trade were direct contradictions of the information I would read in other books (some with an obvious Christian influence). I read about how this country was the apple of God’s eye and established as a City Upon The Hill for other nations to emulate and admire. But how could this be when that same country had no difficulty using another race of people as personal property?
Granted, there were some God-fearing (and not God-fearing) individuals who spoke out against slavery as the United States was in its infancy but they were few and far between and it wasn’t until 1865 that slavery was officially abolished under the 13th Amendment. That’s almost 90 years after the Declaration of Independence stated that “all men are created equal” and over 200 years since the first Africans were enslaved and sent to the Jamestown colony.
Unfortunately, this country has always had an ugly past regarding racial discrimination and that type of hatred does not jibe with the true teachings of Christianity. It upsets me to hear the ignorance of others as they wish we all could go back to the glory days of our once perfect Christian society. That society never existed. But do not take my word for it – look it up — read about our history — read letters and diaries written by the founding fathers themselves — read the text of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 — read about the concept and actions of Manifest Destiny — read the Jim Crow Laws — do not rely on hateful email forwards and factless photo internet memes. It’s so easy in this day and age with so many ways of accessing information to educate yourself. Take the responsibility of knowing this country’s past — that is the only way we can strive to make it a better place. This country has accomplished so many great things and without the cloud of racism hanging over us, we could accomplish even more greatness.
Unfortunately we have a long way to go. As I write this, I see that a new Tumblr called ‘Hello There, Racists!’ is making its way around the internet (foremost on Facebook) – according to MSN.com, “the site tracks racist comments on Twitter and Facebook, then posts the author’s full name, hometown, and even their school or workplace to shame them for their bigoted comments.” I’m no so sure what my stance is on that type of cyber-vigilantism, but it is very stupid to think only your closest friends will see what you post on the internet. The really sad thing is that most of these people saying these vile statements are young…very young. And some do call themselves Christians.
The story that America was created as a Christian theocracy and ordained by God, I believe, is a myth. I do believe that, as a new nation, we were given great opportunity and ability to create a land of freedom for all. It’s just taking a little bit longer than expected to get there.
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