Unfortunately, I had to attend the funeral of a young child this morning. As someone who has struggled with religious identity for years, being in a church is unfamiliar these days. However, as I listened to the minister's sermon, it inspired me to reflect on religion, my beliefs as well as that of our nation.

Religion is what drove the Pilgrims to America to begin with. It's also what conquerors/colonizers used as a justification for the decimation of millions of native peoples. Our country fostered religious freedom, yet a large ( Christian) majority still stands in judgement of anyone who does not share and/or practice their beliefs. They also would like to see religion play a part in politics and look down upon any politician who does not make decisions based on their religious inclinations.

Thank God there is a separation between church and state.

I thought a lot about Jesus this morning. Despite your religious views, Jesus in fact was a real man who stood up to an oppressive administration ( the Romans) for the good of all the people of . He was a community organizer who cared about the old, young, diseased and infirm. He stood up for change and inspired others to do the same.

Isn't that the ultimate Democrat?

There were many, mostly the Romans in power, who feared Jesus's influence and worried about a revolution. For, who would want to continue living oppressed lives when the promise of a better existence could be made possible by Jesus's influence? Jesus's ideas made sense but more importantly, the were moral and just. Sensing a threat to their power, the Romans had Jesus assasinated for speaking out against them.

Divinity aside, Barack Obama and Jesus Christ have a lot in common. They stood up, against all odds, for the greater good of their people. They struggled through adversity to get their message out to the people, and in turn, the people listened. The Romans ensured that Jesus would no longer be a threat to their rule by crucifying him. The Republicans have done everything within their power to elimintate Obama as a policital threat to their ruthless administration with their lies, distortions and scare tactics.

Revitalize your faith dear readers. Dig deep to find your faith, not in religion, but in the greater good of all Americans. We have been living in some dark times. A vote for John McCain will only cause this country to fall deeper into the hole that the Bush administration has left us in. Barack Obama is a beacon of change. He is a leader who stands out amongst other politicians as someone who truly wants to stand up for the greater good of all Americans.

Don't you want the kind of change that would restore this nation to greatness?

I have faith that you do.