It’s morning in America, to steal a Reagan phrase. Not just for Democrats, but for all Americans. I say this for two reasons.
The first is that Mitt Romney’s strong showing wherein he won almost half the popular vote was an affirmation that this is a religiously neutral nation. All along the question was whether or not being a Mormon would hurt him. It clearly didn’t, not only among those who voted for him, but among those who didn’t. Their vote for Obama had nothing to do with Romney’s religion. Not since Catholic John Kennedy won in 1960 have the American people made it clear that they still agree with our founders who said there should be no religious test for public office (Article VI of the Constitution).
The affirmation of gay marriage in Maryland and Maine and the defeat of the anti-gay marriage amendment here in Minnesota made the same affirmation. Clergy opposed to gay marriage can continue to refuse to marry same sex couples. What they cannot do now is to force the rest of us to do the same thing. This is something that all Americans can be glad about because it keeps the line between state and religion clear and clean. Make no mistake. Religious liberty is alive and well in this country. People of faith are free to believe what they want about marriage, and to practice their beliefs faithfully, whether for or against gay marriage. This is a good thing for the state and for religion.
The second reason it’s morning in America is because for the first time in our history the white vote, especially the white male vote, did not determine the outcome. It is a great day for America now that it is unequivocally clear that the new political minority in our country are white voters. Since the nation’s founding we have held all the power, and most of that time that power has been in the hands of white males. That day is over. This new reality has the potential for making a huge difference in public policies because the demands for justice and true equality cannot be ignored. Whites still have the money, and that means we still have power. But yesterday’s election also proved that that power is limited, that when push comes to shove the American people cannot be bought. Clearly the big money was on the side of defeating Democrats everywhere. But money did not win the day, and all of us – Democrat, Republican, and Independent – are better for it.
So all in all, I believe the election results carry a message of good news for our nation and for religious communities as well. Freedom, justice, and religion sans tyrannical power were the big winners. Dare I say it: Yesterday was “the day the Lord made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
linnposts.com 
Amen!
John Rodenberg, CFRE
CCH | 303 Hegenberger Road, Suite 201, Oakland, CA 94621 Office (510) 746-4227
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Well-written, Jan. Thanks.
As I see things from my side of the Pond, it’s no small comfort to see that today’s election results have shown, that there are a much larger proportion of US citizens than I hitherto thought, for whom religious beliefs (as defined by your country’s so-called “religious right”) are not the be-all and end-all of living.
Very good post.
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Religion and race is part of human labeling and starts at birth with the awareness of our physical make-up and environment. Cultural conditioning reinforces these. Maturity and education can help us to transcend this shallow view of life, to see our essence, our spirit. This requires us to engage our hearts, our spiritual center. When we leave the analytical mind/ego that focuses on form for the value oriented spirit we find our equality with each other.
I am also proud of this day, Jan. A large, broad spectrum of hard working regular citizens fought to make the voice of human reality heard over that of narrow ideology. It would be wonderful if the powerful monied class, mostly white, would acknowledge their treasure would be better spent on alliance rather than alienation. Movements are pressing for change and demanding respect for their constituents and for the Constitution that still speaks up for their dignity. Wonderful!
My fear, however, is that this group will fight even harder, more aggressively, even lethally to protect a percieved set of rights and priveleges passed down from generation to generation in mansions, guilds and private or secret clubs. When I learned about major general Smedly D. Butler, WW I leader, author of “War is a Racket”, and that during the depression representatives of many of the country’s largest corporations offered him 500,000 troops and $3 million dollars to overthrow the government and set up a fascist regime to allow them to get back to making money I recognized these capitalist types are capable of ANYTHING! Every possible conspiracy theory from “was the Lusitania sent into submarine infested waters?” to “was Sept. 11 an inside job” became probable! (C’mon! Three buildings falling straight to the ground? That’s controlled demolition!) I do hope I am wrong. The movements are all worth fighting for. Our human and spiritual integrity is worth fighting for! Carpe Diem!
AMEN.
I would say sunrise in the United States because a lot of folks voted against Obama simply because of the color of his skin. We liberals had a great nite but the right wing still in denial are planning their next move regardless of what it will do to our country.