"No matter how rich you become, how famous or powerful," quipped comedian Michael Pritchard, "when you die the size of your funeral will still pretty much depend on the weather." It might also depend on your religious beliefs. When thomas Paine died - the man some called the "Father of the American revolution" - only six people attended his funeral. He had been ostracized largely because of his cynical views of Christianity and passed away in obscurity.
The newly elected 113rd Congress which convened this week includes members who, like Thomas Paine, are not adherents of the Christian faith. Included in the mix: the first Buddhist to serve in the Senate, the first Hindu to serve in the House, and the first member to describe her religion as "none." This diversity reflects the makeup of the nation as a whole, but is it a good thing? And should Christians be alarmed?
The pursuit of diversity, as it has come to be defined in modern America, has become the Holy Grail in academia and in much of the political world. Many major Universities, for example, now employ a "Chief Diversity Officer" or "Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion." These are high-level positions which frequently pay more than $200,000 per year and come with staffs of twenty or more - all to ensure that an acceptable number of "underrepresented persons" are recruited to enroll as students, or teach. The idea that Americans should "celebrate diversity" has become so ingrained that the election of lawmakers who are followers of other major world religions did not generate much interest.
Living with - and learning from - people of different backgrounds is a valuable experience that adds to our understanding and empathy. It is much more difficult to condemn or caricaturize people who are our neighbors and friends. Jesus certainly associated with people who were not at all like Him, and commanded us to love the world ( John 3:16).
But diversity has come to mean much more than treating people fairly. To embrace diversity now requires affirmation, not just acceptance and tolerance. This becomes a particular issue when every religious belief system is deemed equally valid. Buddhism is no threat to take over the world, and Hindu has its violent elements, but a great danger lies in the explosive growth of Islam, which has often proven itself unable to peacefully coexist with other belief systems. European nations are experiencing the consequences of their own diversity initiatives and discovering that when Musims reach majority status in neighborhoods and cities, the rights of others are blotted out.
When it comes to individual politicians, though, Christians should be looking beyond religious labels. There was a time when a politician who identified as Protestant or a Catholic could be counted on to respect the Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was founded. That's no longer true. While Muslims or Hindu legistlators will predictably have scant regard for the Bible as a source of truth, just as much harm can be done by politicians with Christian credentials who in reality are more faithful to the gospel of diversity, or multiculturalism.
Though he wasn't a Christian,Thomas Paine believed in liberty as a supreme right and rejected other forms of government that many are now trying to present as respectable and equal alternatives, though they have through the ages produced tyranny and untold suffering.
Diversity, in its true sense, has been a good thing for America. Thomas Paine's funeral, were it held today, would undoubtedly be well-attended and he would be appreciated even by those who disagreed with his religious views.
But in this quest for diversity, you should not diminish America's unique role. "The leadership of the free world was thrust upon us two centuries ago in that little hall in Philadelphia," Ronald Reagan once said. "Into the hands of America God has placed the destinies of an afflicted mankind. We were indeed - and we are today - the last best hope of man on earth."
And as you pray for your neighbors and leaders today, remember that while America is the last best hope on earth, Christ is the only hope in heaven. "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne....crying out with a loud voice. 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Revelation 7:9,10 ESV).
(Jim Ray, www.presidentialprayerteam.com/issues, Jan.5, 2013)
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