Rabbi Sherwin Wine:
There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom.
The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity.
This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008, 10:16 pm | 
Free Thought, Politics | 
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12 August 2009 at 2:33 am
These same people have been bellyaching about the need for “change” in the way government does business, but when that kind of change comes knocking on the door, there seems to be no-one at home.
29 May 2009 at 3:15 am
Was a good read. I'll be back for more.
29 May 2009 at 12:58 am
Some good points raised in that post. Will be back to check for more.
4 December 2008 at 11:09 pm
nicely put! the results of the 08 presidential election have cast some light on some of those quarters. while inclined to lay it off to simple ignorance, I feel a stronger inclination to put it on something very deep-seated and visceral. these same people have been bellyaching about the need for “change” in the way government does business, but when that kind of change comes knocking on the door, there seems to be no-one at home. good things can come, but not without some discomfort and effort
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