What Is God’s Zip Code? A Discussion of Faith in America, By Dilara Hafiz

Posted on April 17th, 2009 | Filed under Best Practices/Non-Profit, Faith and Politics

 

"Hi, I'm Anne and I'm a Christian Scientist."  "I'm Tex, a Methodist."  "I'm John, a member of the LDS church."  "I'm Dilara, a Muslim." No, this isn't a religious Alcoholics Anonymous meeting (admirable as AA meetings are); it's the monthly meeting of the Arizona Interfaith Movement, whose mission is “to build bridges of understanding, respect, and support among diverse people of faith through education, dialogue, service, and the implementation of the Golden Rule.”

Interfaith groups like the AIFM exist all across America. God is not limited by zip code.  Whether I kneel in a pew or press my forehead upon a prayer rug, my observance of a higher power is a spiritual act of remembrance and devotion.  But why do some Americans focus on differences in dogma, rather than the common denominators of tolerance, knowledge, and unity?  Their intent is to divide us.

Prior claims American Catholics will place allegiance to the Pope over allegiance to their country are reminiscent of current allegations wielded against American Muslims. By implying that Muslims pray to a different God, (they don't – Allah is the Arabic word for God – the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus), some insinuate that anyone who is not a Christian is not an American.  Un-American? The February 2008 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life on the “US Religious Landscape” provides a useful breakdown of our country's religious diversity. Of 35,000 respondents, 78% identified themselves as “Christian.” Another 5% belonged to other faiths. But a significant number (16%) labeled themselves “atheist,” “agnostic,” or simply “nothing in particular.” Yet they are all Americans!  The insinuation that a non-Christian is un-American defies all logic and reason – and religious discrimination disguised as a "personal value" is still discrimination. I'm blessed to count Muslims, Christians, AND agnostics amongst my relatives.  I'm certain that many other American families can claim the same diversity around their Thanksgiving table each year, as well.    

While faith and good works remain the core values of many religions, their expression in America is ultimately within the private domain for each and every one of us, whether or not we believe in a Higher Power at all.  I'm able to serve lemonade and cookies at the Open House of my son's Jesuit high school alongside mothers of different faiths, because we're not demanding adherence to the minutiae of each other's religions. We're simply uniting for the common good. Isn't that commonality of purpose the basis for citizenship – a tacit acknowledgment of the Golden Rule?  

Arizona recently added a new license plate to the AZ Motor Vehicle Division website, a picturesque plate which depicts the Grand Canyon at sunset with the logo 'Live the Golden Rule'. This special license plate serves as a travelling billboard for the virtue, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” a life principle shared by many faiths.  Imagine the possibilities for social justice, civic involvement, and simple acts of kindness if we all adopted this motto as our own.

Dr. Paul Eppinger, Executive Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement, is always the last person at each board meeting to identify himself.  He does so beautifully. Opening his arms wide in welcome after listening to the litany of faith groups represented, he says, “I'm Paul, and I am all of the above.” You can't get more American than that.

Dilara Hafiz is Vice President of the Arizona Interfaith Movement and co-author of The American Muslim Teenager\'s Handbook.