O P I N I O N

THE SOAPBOX

Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.

I am a Christian. I had an old fashioned, come-to-Jesus conversion experience as a young woman during the “Jesus Freak” era. For me, it wasn’t a fad; it was and is the real deal. We find ourselves living in an era where we have witnessed the rise of White Christian Nationalism in the United States; a trend that has now become a movement that is determined to make the U.S. a “Christian Nation.”

I don’t worship a Jesus who thinks it’s okay to take food away from children and poor people. I don’t worship a Jesus who has no problem depriving people of medical care. My Jesus teaches me to love others, not turn strangers away. I certainly don’t worship a Jesus who would ever bless the annihilation of a whole civilization, never mind carelessly murder defenseless children and old people. I certainly don’t worship a god who would think it amusing when anyone would post a meme as though they were Jesus healing the sick.

I had an older brother who, as far as I know, until the day he died, wasn’t a Christian, as I understand the definition. But he was a good person. He was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Like all the young men of his era, he grew up poor and wasn’t a shirker. Two weeks after graduation, he received his draft notice. When asked by the Army what he wanted to do for his country, he didn’t show up with a doctor’s note. He said, “anything but cook.” So, Uncle Sam set him up behind an AK47 in the jungles of VietNam. He was lucky enough to come home and was honorably discharged.Like so many, he left far too much of himself in that faraway world of forever wars that never had anything to do with him and never should have devastated a generation of young Americans.

My brother became a master finish carpenter. If you ever go to Logan Airport, look around. My brother was a member of the Carpenters Union, Boston Local. He was a Union Steward at Logan when the huge expansion took place. His name isn’t on anything he built, but he left a legacy of wonderfully crafted things. He mentored many young carpenters. He was a very kind person. He loved animals and took care of injured and orphaned critters. He helped people out in times of need. Viet Nam eventually caught up with him and he was declared disabled due to PTSD. He carried on. He became active with other Vets and was always willing to help others. He volunteered at a food bank. His carpentry skills were invaluable to many. He was a voracious reader and a wonderful listener. He loved to laugh and tease and could always laugh at himself.  My brother was also an immigrant who became a US citizen and was a homeowner, voter and taxpayer right up to the time of his death. He once told me he had to live a good, decent and moral life. You want to know why? Because my brother was an atheist. He said he had to be careful not to transgress – because he didn’t have any supreme being to whom he could ask forgiveness. Think about that. He was an atheist.

One of the things Jesus said was “judge not lest you be judged.” I don’t spend any time thinking about who’s going to heaven and who isn’t. My job is to be concerned with my spiritual path. I do know last-minute decisions can be made. I know where I hope he is. What I know for sure – I’d rather have an atheist in charge of the U.S. government than a U.S. President and people who are maliciously, irresponsibly and dangerously careening through and damaging the lives of millions – detrimentally changing the course of history. A government that insists it is doing so in the “name of the Lord.” I have never attempted to second guess a pope. But I think Pope Leo just might agree with me on this one.

Beg to differ? Agree to disagree? Comment below using our DISQUS app. Got issues of your own? You can DIY your Soapbox submission here.