Originally posted on May 24, 2014
in the Danbury News Times
"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion -- as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of (Islam)."
Did you read that quote? If not, go back and read it, because it's important.
This is a line from the Treaty of Tripoli. It was written in 1797 by a local legend.
If you know the name Joel Barlow, it's probably because Redding and Easton's high school is named after this hometown hero.
Ambassador Barlow grew up in my church, the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Redding. Our longest-serving minister, the Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, was responsible for Barlow's entire education, even tutoring young Barlow one-on-one through his high school years, encouraging him to pursue a college degree.
When the Revolutionary War interrupted his college career, Barlow put his education to good use, serving as a chaplain in the U.S. military. When 1797 rolled around, Barlow put his Christian upbringing to good use again, writing "America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."
I would argue that it was not in spite of his faith, but because of his faith that he held this enlightened vision of an interfaith America.
Maybe once a month I see a politician or a pundit on TV proclaiming, "Our Founding Fathers made America to be a Christian nation!"
Sometimes they'll throw in a little extra, "These Muslim terrorists don't belong here!"
It's amazing to me that this is even a question in people's minds. This debate was settled more than 200 years ago when Barlow wrote this treaty, a treaty that was unanimously approved by the Senate. A treaty that was signed by President Adams, the second President of the United States: "America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."
Our founding fathers were pretty clear about their views on religious freedom.
This is why I'm proud to be a minister in Redding. When the media paints a false picture of religions at war, we paint a picture of peaceful pluralism.
When politicians tell a false history of a Christian nation, we tell our kids about a more diverse America. When televangelists preach sermons of exclusion, we preach a more open-minded kind of faith.
We preach about John 18:33-37, when Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not from this world." Christ didn't come to be king of America; Christ came to be king of our hearts. Christ didn't come to expand political boundaries; Christ came to subvert political boundaries.
And this is why I am proud to be a minister in the United Church of Christ. Our denomination has continued to uphold Joel Barlow's legacy through the years.
In 1989, our denomination passed a resolution calling for its constituents to learn more about Islam with "open hearts and minds" in order to correct "a history of intolerance, vilification and hostility."
In 2010, our denomination's leaders were vocal opponents to the rash of Qur'an burning events, calling it both anti-Muslim and anti-Christian.
We get some pushback every time we make a stand like this. While some tell us that as Christians we are inherently in competition with other religious traditions, we believe it is our duty as Christians to stand with and for people of all faiths.
Barlow received a similarly negative reaction to his writing the Treaty of Tripoli. Some said he was the prime example of everything that was wrong with society -- that he was no longer a Christian.
But I would argue that being open to other religions transforms us into better Christians.
So that's why I went to the rallu In the summer of 2007, an unknown assailant drove by a mosque in Maine and threw a decapitated pig's head inside. When the mosque held a rally to restore its sense of security and sanctity, a group of us from a nearby Christian camp took the day off from work to show them our support.
I believe openness to the beliefs of others puts our own faith in a new light. It expands our understanding of God. It teaches us new ways to love our neighbor. It transforms us into better Christians.
Did you read that quote? Did you read the Treaty of Tripoli? If not, go back and read it, because it's important.
Did you read that quote? If not, go back and read it, because it's important.
This is a line from the Treaty of Tripoli. It was written in 1797 by a local legend.
If you know the name Joel Barlow, it's probably because Redding and Easton's high school is named after this hometown hero.
Ambassador Barlow grew up in my church, the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Redding. Our longest-serving minister, the Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett, was responsible for Barlow's entire education, even tutoring young Barlow one-on-one through his high school years, encouraging him to pursue a college degree.
When the Revolutionary War interrupted his college career, Barlow put his education to good use, serving as a chaplain in the U.S. military. When 1797 rolled around, Barlow put his Christian upbringing to good use again, writing "America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."
I would argue that it was not in spite of his faith, but because of his faith that he held this enlightened vision of an interfaith America.
Maybe once a month I see a politician or a pundit on TV proclaiming, "Our Founding Fathers made America to be a Christian nation!"
Sometimes they'll throw in a little extra, "These Muslim terrorists don't belong here!"
It's amazing to me that this is even a question in people's minds. This debate was settled more than 200 years ago when Barlow wrote this treaty, a treaty that was unanimously approved by the Senate. A treaty that was signed by President Adams, the second President of the United States: "America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."
Our founding fathers were pretty clear about their views on religious freedom.
This is why I'm proud to be a minister in Redding. When the media paints a false picture of religions at war, we paint a picture of peaceful pluralism.
When politicians tell a false history of a Christian nation, we tell our kids about a more diverse America. When televangelists preach sermons of exclusion, we preach a more open-minded kind of faith.
We preach about John 18:33-37, when Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not from this world." Christ didn't come to be king of America; Christ came to be king of our hearts. Christ didn't come to expand political boundaries; Christ came to subvert political boundaries.
And this is why I am proud to be a minister in the United Church of Christ. Our denomination has continued to uphold Joel Barlow's legacy through the years.
In 1989, our denomination passed a resolution calling for its constituents to learn more about Islam with "open hearts and minds" in order to correct "a history of intolerance, vilification and hostility."
In 2010, our denomination's leaders were vocal opponents to the rash of Qur'an burning events, calling it both anti-Muslim and anti-Christian.
We get some pushback every time we make a stand like this. While some tell us that as Christians we are inherently in competition with other religious traditions, we believe it is our duty as Christians to stand with and for people of all faiths.
Barlow received a similarly negative reaction to his writing the Treaty of Tripoli. Some said he was the prime example of everything that was wrong with society -- that he was no longer a Christian.
But I would argue that being open to other religions transforms us into better Christians.
So that's why I went to the rallu In the summer of 2007, an unknown assailant drove by a mosque in Maine and threw a decapitated pig's head inside. When the mosque held a rally to restore its sense of security and sanctity, a group of us from a nearby Christian camp took the day off from work to show them our support.
I believe openness to the beliefs of others puts our own faith in a new light. It expands our understanding of God. It teaches us new ways to love our neighbor. It transforms us into better Christians.
Did you read that quote? Did you read the Treaty of Tripoli? If not, go back and read it, because it's important.