When fascism comes to America...

Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell

Amidst my continuing joy in response to the election of Barack Obama, my joy is mingled with sadness about a nation that could elect its first African American president but the electorate of some states could also vote to deny marriage to same gender couples. It is time for us to cease being silent in the presence of a charade that pretends denying marriage to same gender couples "strengthens" heterosexual marriage, is biblically mandated and protects the "freedom of the pulpit". I am not a student of the writings of Sinclair Lewis, but these quotations from the writings of Lewis have resonance for me, a week following the election of Barack Obama and the denial of same gender marriage by California and other states.        

"Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country: emotionally I know she is better than every country."

and

"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

I have seen the burning crosses and the holding of flags of and by the Ku Klux Klan. I cannot comprehend how Americans reconcile their faith, their emotions, their intellect and their love of country by voting to deny civil rights to fellow citizens. I could not understand it as I was segregated because of my race, I can not understand it today as some would take away from couples in California, their right to marry that was granted by a Court decision.

America can neither be intellectually nor emotionally "better", when persons use what they claim is their "faith" to compel the state to segregate in 2008!