The De-Spiritization of America

There is no question that Americans have a lot on their plate. Oil prices are creeping back up, our international reputation has been hard hit and we seem to be blamed by everyone for all of the ills in the world. That being acknowledged, there is still a de-spiritization of our national psyche that cannot be accounted for by these times of trouble and uncertainty.

As a nation we have almost always treated problems as a challenge to our will, skill and ingenuity. We have a history of rising to the occasion and of overcoming obstacles. However, my observations would indicate that this strength of spirit is now dwindling. In this normally festive season a cloud hangs over our emotions. There is less cheer, goodwill and laughter. One of the major reasons for this less than stellar attitude is the concept of “political correctness.”

In offices, schools and commercial media there is a constant admonition that celebrating things like Christmas may be offensive. We are told to wish people a ‘happy holiday’ rather than the traditional Merry Christmas. We are told not to overly decorate since it may be offensive. Presents are exchanged quietly and the office Christmas party must now be held in private. I do not mean to imply that anyone should through their celebrations in the face of another. What I do imply is that ‘All’ holidays are beginning to loose their meaning and their uplifting effects in the name of political correctness.

In Florida an exhibition of old pirate treasures cannot be displayed because the resurrected ship was once used to carry slaves to the New World. Where will this madness stop? Perhaps we should not celebrate New Year’s since it is not the same date as the Chinese. Maybe birthdays should go by the wayside also. After all, one member of the family receiving a gift may offend another. Perhaps the Roman Coliseum should be torn because of the countless deaths within its walls. War memorials must certainly offend those who lost the wars. The Alamo must certainly offend Mexicans.

We are headed for a time when nothing can be openly be celebrated because someone somewhere may be offended. We are headed for a time when we will no longer communicate with one another because an opinion or idea may become offensive. Human interaction is becoming a lost art. We are shopping more and more ‘on-line.’ Our children do not know how to play with classmates. They all sit around with earphones on their heads or playing on the computer. They chat fine on their “im’s” but they use this even when they are in the same room. There are fewer ‘holiday’ cards on the walls because it is hard to hang an e-card.

As we loose our ability to communicate our festivals and holidays we are also loosing our ability to share and rejoice in the things that matter to others. When this is lost, so is the ability to understand different faiths and cultures. Instead of hiding our celebrations we should expand the festivities to encompass those of others. Let all faiths and cultures decorate the town squares, the school room walls and offices when their holidays come around. We are supposed to be a society that is open to new ideas and where all can practice their beliefs freely and openly. This is how we come to understand that all such faiths have more in common than once thought. This is how we come to understand that we are all just people, brought up in differing cultures but all seeking a life of happiness. This is how we come to recognize our oneness. A sterile society is a dying society. A society that has lost its spirit has lost its reason for being.

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Mr. Harris was born in Massachusetts. He attended The American University in Washington, D.C. and received his degree in Political Science. His graduate work was done at the University of Northern Colorado and Howard University. While in D.C., he spent several years working for local and regional government agencies. Upon moving to Maine he worked with three governors and served as the Assistant Director of the Maine State Planning Office. He worked on a White House Task Force for the development of a National Rural Policy and later served as Rural Policy Coordinator at the Federal Regional Council of New England. He has worked on gubernatorial and senatorial political campaigns and currently works in Special Education. Mr. Harris is co-author of the novel WAKING GOD and is a nationally syndicated and featured writer for The American Chronicle. He is working on Book II of the Waking God trilogy and writing features for literary E-zines. His second novel, A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL has been released by Cambridge Books. Contributing writer for UPI's Religion&Spirituality web site.

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