Autumn of America

Daily Note

Every day, a photograph, a poem. These times are sad. Sad to see America crumbling, losing its humanity, taking away the rights of individuals to pursue their happiness with liberty and justice. [Declaration of Independence].

I am so sad that religious propaganda and beliefs are infiltrating our government with laws that discriminate and take away our freedoms to live our lives in our way. I don’t want someone’s Biblical beliefs that counter my own to rule over me. We are guaranteed religious freedom and to act according to our own beliefs— not someone else’s, especially the current brand of white nationalist religious dogma. Do you want someone else whose religion is different than yours to create laws that will affect you and your family in your pursuit of living in your faith? Please, then, pay attention to what’s happening in the United States.

On the national level

The U.S. is growing more diverse, younger, and more open to government action. The Supreme Court continues to head in the opposite direction. https://t.co/PYatEhSRXX

— Brennan Center (@BrennanCenter) July 12, 2023

On the State level

This is one of the most disturbing, uninformed, and un-American statements I've ever seen a Superintendent make. I sincerely hope state colleagues can talk him out of the the educational and civic desert in which he's walking. The harm that would come from such policies would be… https://t.co/6kZw067z9d

— Rick Wormeli (@rickwormeli2) July 12, 2023

Ryan Walters was elected; he wants a Christianity-centered history curriculum. See Enid News, which posted a poll on on of this man’s possible actions:] I voted no along with 64% of those voting. America wants freedom— not laws that restrict rights to our free choices as human beings.

If we care about our democracy, we need to pay attention and be active in our local and state communities to counteract the slippery slide into authoritarianism and Christian nationalism.

And who is working towards saving our rights? Democrats. And what is keeping inflation at bay building our infrastructure? Democratic Administration under President Joe Biden.

Bidenomics in action:

The U.S. is enjoying the strongest post-COVID recovery of any major economy in the world. pic.twitter.com/JKUuDanEaU

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 12, 2023

I have family who have Christian faiths, different ones. I want them to enjoy and worship according to their beliefs and not be ruled over by someone else’s faith. These laws based on religious beliefs must end. Separate church and state. According to Pew Research, more people want separation. Separation of church and state protects us all. See the New York ACLU current article about this: Don’t Mess with Separation of Church and State.

I worry that religion is making our country unfree.

And so, a poem….

Poetry

Autumn of America

Once free
Freedom of choice
In speech, religion, assembly,
press, petition;
A strong path to
Enlightenment
Justice for All;

Now religious
Propaganda curtails
Speech, others’ religions, assembly,
press, petition;
White power
Justice for whom?

Two paths
Diverge in the world
Your world
Hope for humanity
rests with our continued
Freedoms
In this, the sad
Autumn of America.

Sheri Edwards
07.12.23 194.365.23
Poetry/Photography [See-Frame-Focus]

Live and Let Live

#clmooc #smallpoems #America #FirstAmendment #separationofchurchandstate

Resources

Refresh yourself on our history— read founding documents. Consider the reasons we become a nation free of religious governmental indoctrination.

• Declaration of Independence
• Bill of Rights
• National Archives Bill of Rights main page
• The Constitution [National Archives main page]
• Founding Fathers, part 1 at National Archives
• Founding Fathers, part 2 at National Archives
• Protecting Religious Freedom [Obama White House Archives]