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The election of President Obama is a joyful break from bigotry in American politics and an affirmation of the best of the American tradition. Every decent citizen will be happy to see evidence of redemption from the original American sin of slavery. For one day it is appropriate to set aside partisan differences and enjoy our common American victory.
Abraham Lincoln was right that slavery was the original sin of the American experiment. The majority of the population had views about a minority that were deeply wicked and inconsistent with their best ideals. Almost all Americans were Christians and a majority of American Christians denied the image of God in other Christians. America was a product of the best of the Enlightenment, but many of the best Enlightenment thinkers were slave owners whose private behavior was worse than any medieval lord.
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President Obama will take the oath of office on a Bible as is customary. There will be prayers at the swearing in as has always been done and he will ask for God’s help in doing so. He is right to do so. His actions are only controversial amongst the sad souls who are so sheltered and delicate that the actual costumes and beliefs of the nation shock them out of their bubble. Of course, one tries to be polite, but they are very easily offended. The mere sight of a Christmas crèche on public land can ruin their day. Since we are not willing to flush traditional American patriotic songs from our ceremonies, it really will be impossible to do. Should we stop singing God Bless America? Should America stop asking God to shed His grace on us? Will the Battle Hymn get rid of the “hallelujah?”
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