UNORTHODOX

I recently had a great trip to Colombia, the country where I was born and spent my childhood and most of my teenage years. As soon as I walked out of the plane, I immediately felt like if my senses had gotten much better. I smelled the fresh air with its still foreign, but yet unforgettable scent, of green pastures and coffee. Although the streets seemed smaller than I remembered, the mountains around them seem just as majestic and presumptuous as the tall buildings in New York City. In short, all the things that before looked small and sincerely meaningless to me, now seemed to have grown bigger and impossible to ignore. One of the things that really caught my attention was that every time my wife and I would take a taxi somewhere, the courtesy of the drivers was just impressive; Most of the times, after paying for our ride, the driver would wish us a good day and say "God bless you".  I assumed that was the norm for a country that is Catholic in its majority, but I couldn't but wonder multiple times the implication that such a phrase could produce in the "Land of the free".
Just days before our trip, my wife told me of a story she had heard of a high school valedictorian in South Carolina who ripped his school's approved speech, and started telling the audience of how proud he was of his parents for having him raised as a Christian, finalizing by reciting the Lord's prayer, in defiance of the decision of school districts of banning prayer at graduation ceremonies. My immediate response was to think out loud: since when did the Lord's prayer become unorthodox and a threat to our freedom?

This "rebellious" act, performed by 18-year-old Roy Costner IV, immediately sprung into countless arguments from groups that defend the "freedom" in our country, who argue that their freedom entitles them to not to have to hear these things in public events. In fact, the Washington times quotes Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, saying that the young man "insensitively inflicted Christian prayer on a captive audience". Reading this, honestly produces in me the greatest indignation since it degrades something that is precious to a person, and good in its essence, to an act of rebellion and torture to others. Imagine if our city's taxi drivers start "inflicting" us with the pain of the now apparently unorthodox "God bless you, have a great day". Probably a lot of "tolerant" New Yorkers would start suing the city for such a disgrace.

It was very interesting that in a country that is still economically developing, such a freedom can be found. But once again, a person from any "modern" country can counter-argue by saying that that is not true freedom, but ignorance, since it doesn't give enough room for atheism. What is true freedom then? Every time I go to the grocery store, I have to deal with the fact that the pornography industry is making me see things I don't want to see, by publicly displaying dozens of magazines next to potato chips. When I share this thought with atheist friends, they tell me I am free to not look. Well, I can also say to Mrs. Gaylor, you are free to cover your ears, and not be tortured by people who want to honor and praise their God, even when they bless you.

A couple of verses to ponder on:

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5: 43-45

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" 1 Timothy 2; 1-3

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/7/atheist-group-blames-school-student-reciting-lords/