Overcoming Diversity, Creating Harmony

AMERICA IS THE LAND OF DIVERSITY. Europeans, Africans, Asians. A new and vibrant national culture sprang forth in America, fueled by contributions from everywhere in the world. Therefore, when someone uses the term "national interest", it is always very misleading. In reality, in the United States there is no "national interest", but instead, a great number of group interests. The old, the young, the rich, the poor, men, women, straight, gay, Christian, non Christian, all have their separate, disparate interests. And often times, indeed all the time, these various group interests conflict, and whatever is called the "national interest" turns out to be in the best interest of one group, at the expense of other groups. Consider the twin pillars of American culture: capitalism, and Christianity. Those are the two main influences, unless someone has a better nominee. The point here is that even the two fundamental institutions upon which America is based, capitalism and Christianity, are in conflict with each other, in every way. Free enterprise goes better with religious freedom, religious diversity. Christianity, the teachings of Jesus, is much more compatible with socialsim, than with capitalism. Jesus did not tell people to develop a sound business plan, exploit resources, maximize profit, and become wealthy. He told people to share everything, all the time. Render unto Caesar, said Jesus. Go thy way, and sell whatsoever thou hast, and give unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, said Jesus. This is not a capitalistic message. It is a socialistic doctrine. Freedom means diversity, diversity in all things, including politics and religion. Diversity means that people who are different from each other must live in peace with their differences. We have as much difficulty doing that in America as in any other country, but at the same time, we have great obstacles to overcome, in the form of extreme diversity.