Within the vast expanse of human experience, faith emerges as a beacon of hope and resilience. It represents a universal phenomenon, capturing the human capacity for belief and trust in the unseen, the unproven, and the yet-to-come. Faith empowers us, lending authority to forces greater than ourselves and providing strength against seemingly insurmountable odds.

This profound power made faith one of the earliest tools corrupted by the ruling class to divide the working class. Messages of love and acceptance were twisted into instruments of fear and hate, turning neighbors into enemies based on the religious texts they held sacred.

During my youth, I immersed myself in apologetics for the Christian faith. I believed that if I could substantiate my faith, I could fulfill a crucial command given by God: proselytization. This endeavor nearly cost me some of the most important and closest relationships I cherish to this day.

It is essential to recognize where faith fits within our personal life journey. For some, focusing on the unseen and unproven is unnecessary if not foolish given the myriad of pressing daily concerns. For others, faith in the unknown provides solace in the most troubling of times. Neither perspective is wrong, provided there is mutual acknowledgement of the objective reality science unveils.

Faith, being an intensely personal experience, consequently must remain separate from governance. Matthew 6:5 cautions against ostentatious displays of piety, critiquing those who parade their faith to be seen by others. The most egregious hypocrites are the leaders who mock faith, using it to amass support for their ultimate idol: themselves.

In our increasingly divided nation, faith acts as a bridge to understanding and reconciliation. Every vote cast is an act of faith that our voice matters, that we are actively contributing toward the common good. It urges us to transcend our differences, uniting us in our shared aspirations for peace, love, and harmony.

• Protect all religions from persecution by any individual or group.
• Reinforce the boundary between legislation and religious doctrine.
• Punish organizations masquerading as legitimate houses of faith.
• Penalize those who manipulate faith to oppress others.
• Denounce religious celebrities exploiting faith for personal gain.

Thank you.

« Back