This is my first Independence as an atheist.
I asked my girls what holiday today was and they both said “4th of July”, I explained the “4th of July” is a date not a holiday. My youngest said “Independence Day” which surprized me. I told Karen that if it had been on another day we might not refer to it as the date itself. For instance, we woulnd’t refer to “Independence Day” by it’s date had it been October 23rd or the 23rd of October. It just so happens that “4th of July” rolls off the tongue easily, that has to be the only reason we refer to ID that way.
I’ve never appreciated or understood ID more than I do now. While I don’t really have an allegance to America I do think this is a good country even with all of it’s problems. I’m not proud to be an American, I don’t understand how you can be proud of something that you never had a choice about. That’s like saying you’re proud to be short or proud to be old. Most people believe in the God that is believed by most of the people in that area, how can you be proud of that.
I’m very ignorant about other countries because I’ve never been outside the US, not even to Canada. I was born and raised here, I didn’t have a choice to be American.
What’s great about this country is that after 36 years of being a christian I did the research and realized that Gods aren’t real and I became an open atheist and no one is trying to kill me. I believe if I had been born in the UK no one would be trying to kill me either. However, had I been born in a country that believes in Allah I don’t think I could be an open atheist.
Independence Day is a great holiday but how long before it doesn’t matter anymore and no one cares? As long as people think “4th of July” is the holiday they get to shoot fireworks it may never end.
Independence was a step forward for this country but with all of the religous policy in government too many steps backwards are being taken.
