Labeling the U.S. as a purely “Christian nation” ignores the diverse multitude of values and beliefs that have shaped, and continue to shape, American society. Meanwhile, reimagining infrastructure projects, like the Iris road diet, can offer broad benefits, enhancing safety and efficiency for all road users.
Short Summary:
- The U.S. should not be labeled as a “Christian nation.”
- Properly designed infrastructure can benefit all users.
- Diverse beliefs and road safety initiatives should be embraced.
America’s religious landscape is a vibrant tapestry comprising myriad beliefs. Contrary to popular sentiment by some, the United States was never established as a “Christian nation.” This is underlined by the First Amendment, which ensures that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The founding fathers aimed to prevent religious tyranny, having themselves experienced the dire consequences of intertwining state and religion.
As James Madison astutely remarked in 1785:
“During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? … (P)ride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity, in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution.”
Madison’s cautionary words remain relevant today. Despite a historical backdrop that features assertions of America’s Christian identity, such as the addition of “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 and “In God We Trust” to U.S. currency in 1956, these were reactions to geopolitical anxieties during the Cold War rather than foundational truths.
Phyllis VanBuren’s viewpoint that the abandonment of Christian values spells America’s doom illustrates a common misunderstanding. Rather than an enfeebled nation, America’s resilience stems from its pluralistic foundation. By embracing diversity, we adhere to our most profound principles. It’s not about despotism under the guise of Christianity, but about respecting all religious expressions. Denise Fazio, Ed.D. from Longmont, captures this sentiment well:
“Are you a patriot and defender of our Constitution? Read the Bill of Rights. Become a student of history. Inform yourself with trustworthy sources. Support interfaith ministries.”
Religious freedom has bolstered America’s plurality and grandeur—Christianity included. Yet, to claim an exclusive national identity erases the contributions and beliefs of myriad groups that enrich our social fabric.
Iris Road Diet: An Inclusive Approach
As cities evolve, infrastructural initiatives like the Iris road diet in Boulder exemplify how thoughtful design can result in safer, more inclusive roads for all users. The plan to overhaul Iris Avenue by eliminating car lanes and adding dedicated bike lanes and turn lanes is a move towards efficiency and safety. While at first glance, this might inconvenience drivers, it’s quite the opposite.
When considering how this redesign could benefit the community, it’s crucial to take into account the sources of current traffic woes. It is often due to cars waiting to make left turns across multiple lanes or slowing down for cyclists who lack a dedicated space.
By transforming the road to one lane in each direction, flanked by a protected left-turn lane and a separated bike lane, the result will be smoother traffic flow and fewer accidents. Emergency vehicles too benefit, as the center turn lane can be utilized for quicker response times.
This perspective is affirmed by active road users. For instance, an invested Boulder driver commented,
“Even if you have no plans to traverse Iris Avenue as a cyclist or pedestrian, a lane reduction would make the road safer for car drivers too.”
Wide roads may give an illusory sense of security, often encouraging distracted driving. Narrower lanes with proactive traffic-calming measures could indeed “dummy-proof” the road, enhancing safety and potentially lowering insurance rates for drivers over the long term.
The Broader Context: A Vision of Unity and Safety
Combining principles of religious freedom with intelligent urban planning reflects deeper societal aims. In his book Margin, Dr. Richard Swenson touches upon the essence of aligning everyday choices with larger values:
“There are two ways to process food: God’s way and the factory way. God has our best interest at heart; the factories sometimes don’t. The ground, taking its orders from God, fortunately doesn’t process food the way factories do. And, generally speaking, the less factory processing, the better the food.”
Swenson highlights the dichotomy that resonates beyond food production into the realm of societal development. Just as the move towards less processed, more natural foods promotes individual health, strategies like the Iris road diet encourage communal well-being through inclusive infrastructure.
Further, theologian Norman Wirzba in his work Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating, reminds us:
“Eating reminds us that we participate in a grace-saturated world, a blessed creation worthy of attention, care, and celebration.”
Similarly, embracing a shared road space—where cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers operate in harmony—celebrates the diversity and respect that underpins our fabric. Indeed, such initiatives foster a connected, considerate community, much like America’s broader principle of pluralism.
Change is rarely easy, but thoughtful, strategic modifications, whether in recognizing the diversity of beliefs or redesigning city streets, can lead to local and national gains. Integration, respect, and forward-thinking must lead the way.
