July 4th, the birthday of the USA, has come and gone. I considered writing about the holiday, but my website is related to Spiritual Literacy. Tying the two together raises my fear of criticism for “mixing church and state”. Maybe I’m mixing them, and maybe I’m not.
Independence is essential to me, as evidenced by my mother’s comment that I was “too damned independent”. It meant I didn’t want anyone giving me advice, “helping” or taking over my projects. I felt my parents constantly did that. Independence or freedom meant doing what I wanted, when and how I wanted. One of the hardest tasks in my life has been to follow someone else’s timeline. Tight schedules drive me nuts. Bossiness drives me nuts. Maybe I’m a squirrel in disguise!
In reality, freedom provides choice, not external control. Freedom and choice are elements of Spiritual Literacy. Spiritual Literacy opens me to see all the choices and the consequences of those choices. I see Spirit as a component of all things: people, animals, plants, earth, and the universe. Spirit is like the air we breathe to live. Within that spirit is a shared existence. As a result of that common factor, my actions and words affect others, at times helping or, sadly, impinging on others rights. An example is not yelling “fire” in a theater. Freedom of speech is very important, except when it is used to bully, slander, manipulate, etc. How I use my freedoms has consequences.
So what is the function of Spiritual Literacy related to “church and state”? The spiritual person focuses beyond himself, sees the interrelatedness of people and the world. His choices for justice and fairness aim at the good of the country, not personal gain.
Our Constitution outlines the country’s organization and values. On Independence Day I celebrated the foresight of the founding fathers, the history of our country, and our struggle to maintain its values. With gratitude I celebrate the privilege to be myself. I examine my life to reflect on whether “being me” enriches the world or injures it.
On past Fourth of Julys, my thoughts centered on arcades, cotton candy, and fireworks. I knew US history, but it was more intellectual than heartfelt. This year I was surprised at seeing the connection between being me and the Constitution: the right to make choices. I recall the stories I’ve heard of people killed for criticizing the king or attending a church, the stories of governments taking children from their parents to indoctrinate them in the government values or to train to fight in the army. That frightens me. Thankfully that’s not the life I’ve had to live. That’s not “being me”. Overwhelming gratitude fills me.