Thousands gathered at the Statehouse this past Saturday for a “We Stand with God, Pro-Family” rally.
Speakers included presidential hopefuls former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, as well as South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
We are glad to see so many citizens involved in a civic event. We just wish the overtones of the rally were not ones of fear and divisiveness.
By casting the political debates surrounding gay marriage, abortion and other issues as Christianity falling under attack, those who organized and spoke at the rally perpetrate a falsehood that has taken hold across America.
Those at the rally certainly believe they are being persecuted for their beliefs, with Perry claiming religious liberty is “being put in jeopardy today.” But they're viewing changing social norms as a personal attack. Bibles are not being banned; churches are not being bulldozed. A shifting, increasingly diverse society should not be taken as a challenge to faith.
In his remarks, Perry quoted French writer Alexis de Tocqueville.
“There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America,” Perry said. This still holds true today, and Christianity will remain the dominant religion in America for the foreseeable future.
The very fact that an event of such fervent religiosity can be held at our state’s capitol shows that faith is still a cornerstone in our state and our country. There is nothing wrong with celebrating one’s faith, and we welcome discussion and dissent based on belief.
What is under attack is the idea that someone's faith makes their stance on social issues inarguable, lest it be called an attack on Christianity. And we think that is progress.