So here I am, a Canadian in the United States on this, the inauguration day of the 44th president of this country.  There’s no denying that today was momentous for a variety of reasons and being in this country on this historic day was moving, even if I wasn’t among the crowds in Washington.
I have to give credit to Americans. They do patriotism like nobody’s business. It is inspiring to see people to passionate about their country even if I sometimes feel like some overzealous citizens occasionally misplace that passion. Some have said that it matters more what the new president does with his position than all the pageantry of the ceremony itself. Of course, this is true. You’d have to be insane to think otherwise. But I think that the fanfare is useful in that it is a marker. That’s what ceremony is – a line in the sand, a point of origin. It doesn’t matter as much to some as it does to others but as a nation, I can see the value in having a moment to look back upon. Yes, the words spoken today mean nothing if not supported by action. But I think celebration is worthwhile and what I saw today was a celebration that will be remembered for generations to come.
As many commentators noted today, watching President Obama stumble over the oath of office drove home his humanity. The new president is not a Messiah and it’s nice to have a reminder of that. Personally, I just like to see the human side of leaders. Sometimes they seem so robotic.Â
Even more striking to me, was to see the very prominent role that religion still plays in American government. It is very foreign to me to see the mixture of church and state so accepted and even seemingly celebrated. I have my own opinions on this issue but it was definitely a lesson in American culture to observe the very Christian overtones of today’s ceremonies.
Most poignant of all was the participation of Reverend Joseph Lowery who is considered one of the founders of the American Civil Rights Movement. There were many Americans in attendance today who have lived through decades of intolerance and hate and to have a very visual representation of how far the country has come was very touching. What a long way this country has come and how grateful I am to have witnessed it!
January 21st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Hi! First time on your blog. I completely agree about the church/state thing. It always surprises me.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
I also agree about the church/state thing. I remember being very surprised, when I first arrived in North Carolina, to see churches on the UNC campus.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I am amazed at comments that refer to a “Church State Thing.” The First Ammendment provides freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion. From the first Inauguration Christianity has played a major role. The country was founded on Christian priciples. Our laws were guided by Biblical Premise. In the beginning of our Country if it was immoral it was illegal. Obviously that has changed. It was nice to see and hear references to the values and the beliefs that established us and have sustained us as a Nation.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for your comment Jeff. I can see this issue is important to you. While I do personally disagree with religion playing a role in government or civic ceremony, I was not making a judgement on it here. I was simply expressing my surprise at seeing it in the inauguration ceremony as I am a Canadian citizen and religion plays a much quieter role in our culture and government. The other comments seem to be expressing a similar sentiment. They are simply comments, not judgements!
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Shannon, Thanks for the comment. I am not surprised by your position. You are from Canada, one of the five countries that have legalized gay Marriage. Now I believe God loves everyone but I also belive there are certain moral laws we live by. I am interested to know though how you think this world appeared here from nothing. That would contradict the very laws of physics. Matter can not be created nor destroyed, so how do you account for all you see?
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Seriously Jeff?
You want to debate Gay Marriage and creationism in post reflecting on how religious the inauguration was? It sounds like you have a lot of pent up rage against the majority of the world’s population that doesn’t abide by your very narrow, fundamentalist evangelical southern interpretation of the world.
And for the record, Canada also treated slaves as equals when the USA believed that owning a slave was a god-given right and a moral imperative. Canada also gave African American’s access to non segregated education and free healthcare while places like Virginia claimed segregation as a moral law.
Funny how history repeats itself.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
When it comes to the patriotism of our southern neighbours “you ain’t seen nothin yet” is the best advice I can impart. Having lived there myself and made many wonderful friends, I was still shocked to learn that despite our similarities, we are VASTLY different in our ideologies. Religion is but the tip of the iceberg.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Jeff,
I find it surprising that you are jumping to the conclusion that my beliefs about incorporating religion into civic ceremony somehow imply that I don’t believe in God. And what does legalizing gay marriage have to do with my beliefs about religion in civic ceremony??? You have jumped onto a tangent that is clearly your personal agenda and honestly,the sense I get from your question is that you are only asking my opinion so that you can “correct” me.
For the record, I call myself a Christian and do believe in God and the supernatural creation of the world – just not in the 6000 year old earth. My opinions on evolution are based in scientific fact and it is not something I am prepared to go into on this forum. I will simply say that any religion that blatantly contradicts science (or promotes discrimination against people) is not one I am prepared to embrace.
PS-Canada is one of SEVEN countries to legalize gay marriage.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
…and one of 16 to recognize civil unions between same sex couples…amongst which is the United States.