This gentle cynic has become puzzled and curious about the capacity of dependence or devotion many American’s give to the presidency or executive power of this nation. This social phenomenon, of course, has been recently amplified with the current presidential race. One could think with all the energy given to the prospects and assumed roles of this office, my community, my family, and self would be in jeopardy without the right person presiding in the executive office.
Granted, one sitting president has the potential of making an awful mess out of things as well as making a significant mark in the course of events; yet I cannot conceive how this individual and his or her administration can make much difference in my life of hopes and dreams, unless he or she has become for me (us) a high priest of sorts in what has been termed an "American civil religion." All the talk of faith with individuals running for the presidency informs this cultural notion and a clearly vibrant fight to keep it alive.
History has proven too many times that nationalism and religion do not mix well; for there becomes a strong tendency of religious influence on a national level or movement to produce a greater likelihood for discrimination and human rights violations. As Stjepan Gabriel Mestrovic argues, civil religious notions actually smack the genuine face of true religion. "Civil religion is neither bona fide religion nor ordinary patriotism, but a new alloy formed by blending religion with nationalism. If civil religions were bona fide religions then one would expect to find a soft side to them, teaching love of neighbor and upholding peace and compassion. But this is not the case." (Quoted by Gerald A. Parsons, "From nationalism to internationalism: civil religion and the festival of Saint Catherine of Siena" in Journal of Church and State, September 22, 2004)
Hence, refusing to be part of supporting civil religion does not mean abandoning religious commitment and belief. If anything, it requires of us a rigorous re-examination of our religious traditions with our current experience with religious nationalism. Thus, this gentle cynic is glad to see and hear of a growing civil unrest against a belief in this kind of America among various religious groups, communities, and organizations. He is thankful for the present polarization of the so called "right" and "left" and the many growing, organic groups that make up a chaotic bouquet seeking a more universal order transcending any merely human office and power.
