The Hypocrisy of Protesting Race Relations in America

As we see turmoil hit our streets, it seems that the argument has been lost – no longer sought after, never to be sought after again. Protesters in New York City, Berkeley, and Ferguson have been blind to the narrative that they are being used for. To the outside world, it is pretty easy to see that the anger is placed in the wrong direction, and the looming dangers that are now presented. In a last plea of hope, the Democratic campaign is at it again, using the Black community for political gain. From the tragic days of slavery, segregation, electing the first black president, and now racial profiling, the narrative has successfully been placed in the minds of those on the streets: there are racist people out there and you must rely on us (the Democrats) to protect you.

Mind you this is all coming after an Executive Action for amnesty is placed on the table, which would take away 5 million jobs and much needed funds (since our debt clock has now ticked past 18 trillion dollars) that could very easily be used to restore urban communities that are highly populated by minorities. Many of these protesters do not realize that they have been under Democratic rule for many years, and they have forgotten (or just ignored the fact) that there are new faces in these towns. In the Midterm Elections, we saw a wave of red as Democrats were replaced by Republican candidates who have a pretty good rap sheet when it comes to running our government. Not only this, but it really is a slap in the face that we Republicans voted people like Mia Love and Tim Scott into office to give this community a better voice, and now we are being called racists.

Here is a little history lesson about race and the political parties. It is never safe to assume, but it would be pretty safe in this situation to assume that many of these protesters did in fact vote democrat at one point or another. From the 1800’s, the Democratic party has had its hands in the mud of slavery and segregation, once proclaimed as the “White Man’s Party” (they also proclaimed the Republican party to be how do we say politely… full of black people). The 14th Amendment had 0 support from the Democratic party. By the late 1800’s, the Democratic party regained control of the southern states and well that is how it stayed until the 1950’s and 1960’s (oh yeah in the 1930’s they filibustered anti-lynching bills until they disappeared). Also, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that the protesters keep referring to? It was supported by larger percentages of Republicans in both Houses. The Democratic party is in fact, the originating force behind the KKK and pushed for segregation in the south. This is also why you saw some KKK campaign ads leading up to the 2014 elections in Mississippi.

So what is happening now that many have blindly walked past during their rampant and destructive temper tantrums? That the Democratic party has successfully made many Americans, a large majority of blacks, (11% are unemployed by the way) entirely dependent on the Government. They tell you who to vote for, what music to listen to, what clothes to buy, how much money to spend.. But they do not encourage you to have a top notch education, they do not encourage beautification efforts in your communities, they do not encourage a lifestyle that is healthy for yourself or those around you. More black people are killed by other black people than cops ten times over. Thousands have been gunned down on the streets of Chicago, where guns are supposed to be illegal. They have ran campaigns for you to give up your right to practice your religion, whereas 98% of Black Democrats are very religious, this should be something you take more seriously. They have successfully convinced you that “crime isn’t the problem, guns are.” Look now, “crime isn’t the problem, race is.”

Black Criminality is a very serious issue. One parent homes are on the rise, drop out rates continue to climb in urban areas, arrest rates increase and are beginning to trend at younger and younger ages. There must be a time when the black community, and every community for that matter, must look inside and acknowledge their influence on society. If you are selling drugs, it probably is not a good influence, if you are pushing for a degree to one day better your community, it probably is. If you promote a hostile environment, your environment will become hostile. If you continue to break the law, you will continue to have interactions with the police.

There is such thing as accountability. It is an attribute that was once apart of our daily lives, however now escapes us as time goes by. We must not continue to blame someone else for our issues, we must stand up to the occasion and make ourselves better people.

The Importance Of Religion In America

While many claim that there is no war on religion in America, many would agree that there is a serious conflict involving religion and individual rights. Religion has found itself in the feminism, equal rights, and freedoms in the school system debates, often in a derogatory sense. However, many fear that more peaceful religions such as Christianity, Catholicism and Judaism are being replaced by a more chaotic religion such as Islam. Critics of religion, again focusing on western Christian/Judaic faith, include feminists and gay rights activists led by Liberal Democrats. Although that may seem like an unbeatable opponent of religion, the largest criticisms of religion lie in the science and psychological fields of study. Despite all of this, the majority of American people have stuck with their faith, and still believe that religion is merely a positive influence on society, not a negative one. Given the 2014 midterm elections, it seems that the people have voiced their opinion on what they feel is best for the country, which would be what is best for them as an individual and as a nation. Could it be that the anti-religion movement is pulling our nation farther from the country our Framers envisioned? If the American people were the deciding factor, the majority would say yes.

At the metaphorical front lines on the opposing side of religion without a doubt is the feminist movement and gay rights activists. Of course, this does not include all of those who identify in these positions, but it seems the majority have been influenced by the Democratic Party in their attempt at appealing to more liberal and progressive individuals. One of the most debated subjects revolving around religion, is the apparent ‘War on Women.’ While the modern feminist movement has gained a large amount of participants, it has also morphed into an anti-religion movement. While the 2014 midterm elections gained speed, Democratic candidates ran largely on abortion and contraceptive issues. (Reihl, 2014) Despite this, the number of Republican winners made history. For the first time, there are 100 female members of Congress. Mia Love became the First female Haitian American and the first black female Republican elected to Congress. Also we saw a 12 point margin decrease in the 2 year lapse as 47% of women voted Republican, 51% voted Democrat. A huge surprise during the midterm elections was Republican Representative Cory Gardner won over the Democrat Mark Udall. While Mark Udall ran on abortion and contraceptive issues, Gardner ran on a variety of issues including the economy, foreign policy and thwarting high unemployment rates.  (Day, 2014) As if this wasn’t a heavy blow to the Democratic platform, Republican Joni Earnst became the first female elected to federal office in Iowa, fiscally conservative Republican, Sara Blair, became the youngest female elected to the House of Delegates. While it is hard to understand why the Democrats chose to run on such petty issues such as abortion, however religion has successfully become a political decision here in the United States, especially in regards to abortion and women’s rights. This could be a result of our society splitting the opinion, or rather, it could be a political tool to separate and gain dependable votes come election time. However, Dr. Peter Francia concluded in 2010 that: “It is not a culture war between red states and blue states, but rather a war between Fundamentalists and biblical minimalists within both the red and the blue states.” (Francia, 2010)

Another hot topic that involves religion and politics is the discussion of gay rights. We have seen a Democratic demonization of religion in relation to the LBGT community. While popular belief is that if a citizen is of faith, that they will disagree with gay rights, the Evangelical Lutheran, Episcopal, Judaism, the United States Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church all support same-sex marriage. (Pew, 2012) Also, while many claim that the Republican Party is solely anti-gay rights, the vote was split in the recent elections with a turnout of 34% Republican and 37% Democrat and a split vote of 49-48. (Langar, Crowder, 2014) It seems that the Republican angst towards gay rights is fabricated by the Democratic Party to gain votes.

Although there are several theories that seem to discredit religion, their findings ultimately leave questions that can only be answered by religion. Although skeptics (mostly from the scientific crowd) generally focus on Christianity, Catholicism and Judaism, the debate encompasses all religions involving a divine being. First, about 40% of scientists are religious in one way or another. (Collins, Pg. 4) One of the theories that has been used to debunk religion is The Big Bang Theory. However, there have been Popes who support the theory such as Pope Pius XII, and the theory strongly supports the Genesis Scripture. (Collins, Pg. 82) Another theory used to debunk religion is the theory of Darwinism and the Theory of Evolution; or rather the theory that we are all related to each other, and related to the same distant ancestor. Some have used the theory to promote Atheism, most noted is Richard Dawkins who has been quoted stating that: “belief in evolution demands Atheism.” (Dawkins, Pg. 374) Despite this, we can refer to Darwin himself when he stated: “…It is just as noble a conception of the deity to believe that he created a few original forms, as to believe that he required a fresh act of creation to supply the voids caused by the action of his laws.” (Darwin, Pg. 452) What may be best in this argument is to cipher what the American citizens believe is viable evidence for belief or non-belief. In a 2004 Gallup poll, only 1/3 of we Americans believed that Evolution was well supported. While 45% believe we were created in present form about 10,000 years ago. However, 34% believe that the word of God should not be taken literally. (Gallup, 2004) This obviously shows the powerful impact that religion has on We The People, and it is difficult imagining a country void of faith. Perhaps the flaws lie in the science where every member of our species is 99.9% similar on the DNA level, or the fact that Self-Replicating organism (beginning of life) origin still unknown. (Collins, Pg. 125) With so many unanswered questions, religion should be maintained as a personal choice-rather than political. Politics and religion would be best if they revert back to being separate topics. Not only could it eliminate some of the issues preventing growth as a whole, but it could diminish many civil arguments that rest with the American People.

“The highest principles for our aspirations and judgments are given to us westerners in the Jewish-Christian religious tradition. It is a very high goal: free and responsible development of the individual, so that he may place his powers freely and gladly in the service of all mankind.”

–Albert Einstein, 1954.

While many blame religion for poor life choices, religion has been proven to promote mental, spiritual and social grown of the individual. While mental illness is an issue that has plagued the United States, one must ask why there has been a push for its separation from mental health studies and treatment. 43.7 Million adults with any kind of mental illness, 9.6 Million Adults have a serious mental illness and 1 in 5 children have, or will develop a mental illness during their lifetime. (NIH, 2012) According to leading expert Kenneth Paragment, PhD, Faith based programs for rape victims, drug addicts, divorcees, and women with eating disorders proven effective. He also stated that: “Empirical studies of many groups dealing with major life stressors such as natural disaster, illness, loss of loved ones, divorce and serious mental illness show that religion and spirituality are generally helpful to people in coping, especially people with the fewest resources facing the most uncontrollable of       problems.” (Paragment, 2013) It is odd that there is a feminist movement focused on obliterating religion, when religion helps rape victims, which are majorly women.

With the constant war on religion, one would think many American citizens would distance themselves from any and all religion. However, as anti-religion rhetoric grows momentum, so does the number of people turning to faith along with the number of people who believe it is a) a positive influence on society and b) logical when compared to science. When focusing on the statistics regarding faith, it seems that this decision should be left for the American people. 70% of Americans say religion is losing influence, and 80% of Americans think that Conservative Ideology is losing its impact. This is probably due to the Democratic campaign against religion and the GOP. Despite this, 75% of Americans who are religious believe that if more American’s were religious, it would have a positive impact on our society. Also, 94% of Americans who claim religion is unimportant in their own lives believe it would have a positive influence on society. (Newport, 2013) Many would like to think that religious influence is not related to political influence however, as we see the the left wing anti religion rhetoric amp up, the number of those who identify with a religion and the democratic party are dwindling. 52% of non-religious Americans are Democrat compared to the 29% who are Republicans while 49% of very religious Americans are Republican compared to Democratic affiliation of 36%. It is also interesting to note that religious African Americans lean Democrat, while Hispanic, Asian American’s and Caucasian Americans lean Republican. (Newport, 2014) With known Democratic involvement in the KKK, it is confusing why African Americans tend to sway to blue on Election Day. It seems that the Democrats’ strategy worked in 2008 and 20012, however it did not work in 2014, and hopefully will not in 2016.

In conclusion, when looking at the larger picture of religion as a whole and its influence on American life, it is easy to see that religion has earned its right within our daily influence. While the First Amendment protects the freedom of all religion, we must not use religion as a form of criticism of either side, left or right, and must not victimize certain religions that are deemed ‘intolerant’ (even if they are generalized by fabrications). Religion has become a tool utilized by residents of Washington to split the nation in two, assigning allegiance to being religious or anti-religious. While we focus on issues such as religious freedom, women’s rights and gay rights, our national debt clock still ticks, our unemployment rate is still rising, our border has crumbled and we have allowed large groups of people in the Middle East, Africa, and even here in the United States to continue fearing their surroundings. It seems we have become a complacent society, focusing solely on the individual in America rather than the nation of America. Could it be possible that with a larger influence of religion in our lives that we may overcome the lacking moral responsibilities we have to ourselves and our neighbors to promote a healthier, and more harmonious society? In addition, would we have a more cohesive society if we banished religion from politics altogether? While science only presents more questions and political rhetoric promotes a hostile environment, it seems that this decision will be left for the American people to decide. As of right now, religion seems to be what the American people are longing for: That religion has taken the place of the American government as something we can believe in, a solid foundation we can stand on and real hope we can rely on in times of sadness and dismay.

Riehl, D. (2014, October 17). Democrats Losing Mid-Term War for Women.             http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2014/10/17/Democrats-Losing-Mid-Term-War-for-Women

Day, S. (2014, November 13). Midterms brought a wave of ‘firsts’ for GOP and USA.             http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/a-wave-of-firsts-for-gop-and-usa/article/2556102

Bass, D., Francia, P. (2010, May 25). Lost Democrats: Faith and the 2010 Elections.             http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-butler-bass/lost-democrats-faith-      and_b_587431.html

Pew Research. Religious Groups’ Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage. (2012, December       7). http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/07/religious-groups-official-positions-on-same- sex-marriage/Midterms brought a wave of ‘firsts’ for GOP and USA

Langer, G., & Crowder, A. (2014, November 4). Midterm Elections 2014: National Exit Poll Reveals Major Voter Discontent.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/national-exit-poll-reveals-major-voter-discontent-midterm/story?id=26688877

Collins, F. (2006). The language of God: A scientist presents evidence for belief (p. 305). New       York: Free Press.

Darwin, C., & Beer, G. (1996). The origin of species (p. 452). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dawkins, R. (2006). The God delusion (p. 374). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Newport, F. (2013, May 29). Most Americans Say Religion Is Losing Influence in U.S.

Einstein, A. (2005, May 28). An Ideal Service to Our Fellow Man.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4670423

Mental Health and Education Statistics. (2012, January 1). Retrieved from             http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/index.shtml

Newport, F. (2013, May 29). Most Americans Say Religion Is Losing Influence in U.S.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/162803/americans-say-religion-losing-influence.aspx

Newport, F. (2004, November 19). Third of Americans Say Evidence Has Supported Darwin’s     Evolution Theory.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/14107/third-americans-say-evidence-has-supported-darwins- evolution-theory.aspx

Newport, F. (2014, July 28). Religion Remains a Strong Marker of Political Identity in U.S.             http://www.gallup.com/poll/174134/religion-remains-strong-marker-political-identity.aspx