Post 10

This is a response to Caro Leach's post from April 26, 2007 titled "Ethiopia".

I would disagree with her statement that "In our culture, individuals go to great lengths to not be associated with their religious beliefs. In the United States, we are taught to keep our social life separated from our religious life."

Caro cites the tattoos on the womens' foreheads in Ethiopia as evidence that they wanted every one to know that they were Christians. I can agree with this statement. However, it's when she cited U.S. culture as the converse to Ethiopia's that I disagree.

Front doors of house across the country are littered with crosses, devout Christians where crosses on their necks, and the "WWJD" emblem is posted on countless car bumpers. It seems today that most Christians are trying to be evangelists, more or less, in converting non-believers into believers. There are orginizations like Young Life that bring in kids with games and sing-a-longs that are just there to serve the purpose of instilling Christian beliefs in today's youths.

I would also like to point out that God is often referred to in U.S. politics as well. President George Bush, a fervent Christian, uses prayer and God in many of his speeches regarding the war in Iraq. There are also songs like, "God Bless America" and the "Pledge of Allegiance" that references God. I just think America is different in that there is a broader range of religions, so it's harder to announce your religion without offending others.