What do you see as the temple of your future, and how would you like to create that space? In his speech “The Gods” (1872), the “Great Agnostic” Robert Ingersoll, a Humanist and the best-known orator of his time, said the following:

“We are laying the foundations of the grand temple of the future–not the temple of all the gods, but of all the people–wherein, with appropriate rites, will be celebrated the religion of Humanity. We are doing what little we can to hasten the coming of the day when society shall cease producing millionaires and mendicants–gorged indolence and famished industry–truth in rags, and superstition robed and crowned. We are looking for the time when the useful shall be the honorable; and when REASON, throned upon the world’s brain, shall be the King of Kings, and God of Gods.”

While I certainly agree with his statement of a society that is less enthused with money and one that takes better care of its poor so that no one has to live as a mendicant, I personally believe in the power of reason combined with faith, and hope. In other words, I believe in the spiritual. I encourage others to believe in whatever they are individually called to, not what a nation, a political party, or others tell you to believe in. How are we to know what is the best way to believe, be it in the worship of altars, nature, crystals or through the pages of a book? We are fraught with fragility in all aspects, and death comes to us all to soon in our time on this beautiful speck of blue that united we call our home.

Today each one of us can pause, use our reason and make a decision about our future and just what we wish to see built, one of hate and intolerance, fear and rigidity or rather one of freedom and tolerance, compassion and love. There is so much more joy to be found when sitting on the side of compassion. This political season in the United States is taking a toll on our united country and potentially on our freedoms. I would urge all of us to take the time to become informed about policies, read, and become educated not just be memes on Facebook or Twitter. Do your research; use your freedom of the Internet, public libraries, books, and more to make an educated decision when you go to the polls this year. If necessary, have the courage to let go of your party line for the greater good of the freedoms of not only this country, but also the world. Give thanks to those trying to make a change to ensure our freedoms are not lost, and please think twice before voting for someone that clearly stands for hate and more – when I see a Nazi salute it frightens me and I would hope it conjures up the same sentiment in others. Use your voice and make a difference to keep our world united.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. ~Thomas Jefferson