On Sunday evening, July 6, the Braver Faith team of Braver Angels hosted a webinar entitled “Faith and Freedom Through Reflection and Prayer.” The event was scheduled to honor the Fourth of July weekend. A link to the 75 minute webinar can be found here.a link
It has often been said that religion was regarded as a load-bearing wall to partner with the documents of the founding of America, which include the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The strength of the country was predicated on the presence and power of both religion and democracy. They needed each other, and at the same time needed to be kept separate.
In the late 18th century, religion in America was confined to Protestant Christianity, at least as it was understood by the authors of our founding documents. Nearly 250 years later religious expression in the United States has expanded exponentially. Protestant Christianity is no longer the sole voice of religious proclamation, despite the fact that there is a substantial and powerful segment of American religious life that seeks to establish a unique brand of Protestant dominance. Today, religion in America has a diversity of story and practice that has the capacity to expand horizons and deepen mutual understanding. The webinar reflects that reality.
We had four speakers on the webinar, and ten people offering prayers from their particular religious tradition. We were Protestant, Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Unitarian, and Bahai. The words and accents were different — but there was a common message: America can and should honor one another, can gain strength from the diversity of religious expressions and practices, and share a love and commitment to the vision contained in the original American motto: E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one.
The Braver Faith team is committed to offering more events that celebrate religious freedom and at the same offer hope and reconciliation at this challenging time in our country. We are committed to fortifying the important load-bearing wall.
