I found my attention drawn to this story because it's a great step for religious freedom and diversity in North Carolina. My family and I left back in 2012, and took our Greek temple with us, because we felt the State government wasn't supportive of our rights as non-Christians, among other reasons such as employment, wages and healthcare. In other words, even if religious freedom had not been a concern of ours, there were still other things that may have moved us to the Liberal States. But I am nevertheless delighted to see said freedom flourishing in my home State. Even if State legislators refuse to stand up for minorities, they also cannot ignore the fact that they exist with something so gigantic overlooking the Tarheel State. I wish we would construct statues of Greek Gods that big as well. The problem is that the Hellenic people were disrupted and persecuted for 2,000 years, whereas the Hindus were not, so obviously they have an easier time with their religious projects. Of course, that's not to say that statues of Greek Gods don't already stand significantly in our nation. A statue of Athene overlooks the Statue of Liberty from nearby, and Themis remains the Goddess of Justice in our legal system. Not to mention that the faces of legendary ancient Greeks overlook the chamber of the Federal House of Representatives, like Solon of Athens and Lycurgus of Sparta.
The story of the new Hindu statue has made international news. It has sparked a lot of online debate, which I do not see why. The issue here is religious freedom, no debate necessary. Why would there be arguments over it unless you believe that they should not have their religious freedom? America is a place for everyone from everywhere. All the world can come here and be free, that's what we are about. We do not belong to just one religion, one race, one ideology. We are the home of the world. I have heard it said that the money would be better spent on caring for the poor and needy in the State, and there is certainly something to be said about that, but it's also the government's responsibility to see to the general welfare of the people, and the government of North Carolina doesn't seem to have a vested interest in that, since North Carolina has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. I think it's fine, especially for a minority religion, to use some money to support itself, establish worship centers, and make its people happy. I don't see an issue with that at all, as long as they are also using money to help those in need in their communities.
I do want to go see it in-person when it's completed. In Hellenism, the God of War is Ares and Athene is the Goddess of War who rules in alliance with Nike (Victory).
In the Goodness of the Gods,
I'll see you at the next Herm down the road,
Chris Aldridge.
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