An Alternative (Humanist) Invocation

[salvorhardin]

This is something I published both at my blog and FreeThought Fort Wayne. Thought I'd share it with my DU A&A friends. I'll cross-post it to R&T but it'll probably be better appreciated here.

A few weeks ago, after it was learned that Barack Obama had chosen mega-church pastor, schlocky self-help guru and homophobic bigot Rick Warren to give the Inaugural Invocation, many of us liberal types were shocked and outraged. Obama had run a campaign based on hope. Hope for change, hope for a better world. Yet he had chosen a man who would deny not only that hope, but the basic civil rights of a large segment of our population.

And while most of us were ranting, and frothing at the mouth, at Obama’s insensitivity, Quaker Dave from The Quaker Agitator had a better idea. Instead of highlighting the hate and bigotry of Rick Warren, he believed we should post our own messages of hope, compassion, tolerance and diversity. And what better day to do it than on Obama’s Inaugural Day. So The Alternative Invocation blog swarm was born.

I happened to think this was a pretty good idea and a nice example of a positive protest. Of course, I am an atheist and a humanist so it was unlikely I was going to be invoking the blessing of any gods, Christian or otherwise. Instead I present you with an alternative, humanist, invocation.

Today we come together to celebrate the 43rd time we the people have reaffirmed the founding principles of this great experiment we call America as our country turns its eyes to a new leader. A leader who did not come to power by violence, bloodshed or chicanery but through a peaceful, democratic expression of the will of the citizens of the land. It is this moment, the culmination of the democratic process, that distinctly marks us all as Americans.

At this time of transition it is traditional to call upon the Almighty to sanctify, bless and guide the new President and our country. And this is a historic transition for our country. Even while we rejoice in the election of the first African American to what is arguably the most powerful office in the world, we are faced with unprecedented hardships at home. We remain at war, our economy is collapsing, and people everywhere are without jobs, without healthcare and losing their homes. So it is not unexpected that we seek divine providence to guide us and our leaders through these troubled times.

Yet I can not think of a better time to break from tradition because it is not through supernatural forces that the long and bloody tradition of African American oppression has been overcome. It was the hard work and unflinching moral principles of thousands of Americans who would not stand by while their fellow man was not afforded the sames rights and privileges as all others. And it will not be gods that will see us through the turmoil and bring back the glorious promise and prosperity of the United States.

It’s us. Mere mortals, bound by our common humanity and love for those same democratic principles we are here to celebrate today. It doesn’t matter what we believe about the hereafter, or the fount of creation. These are human problems brought about by all too human faults and failings and can only be solved by human action, insight, understanding and compassion.

So let us not call upon the heavens, but ourselves, all of us, to carry on the great legacy of our Founders. Let each one of us work to the best of their capabilities to do what they can to ensure that all Americans are free from the scourges of war, poverty, crime, and disease so that they too may aspire to the Office of the President of the United States just as Barack Hussein Obama did. Because in the end, our leaders are only as good as the people that produce them and hope does not come from on high, but from our hearts and our deeds.

Thus I choose to invoke not the power of deity, but the power of the people. The power of us all.

http://freethoughtfortwayne.org/2009/01/20/an-alternative-humanist-invocation

Anyway, it's a little clunky but it's the message I would have liked to have heard today.

[beam me up scottie]

1. Saving to read when I get back.

I'm a little biased but I'm sure it's spot on as usual. :)