Quilts, Religion, and War

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

Source: President Obama's inaugural speech

Note: Traditionally, a "patchwork" quilt is made using scraps of fabric from an assortment of cast-off garments or other textile items that have outlived their usefulness. So I'm not terribly keen on having my heritage described as "patchwork." The American culture does embrace many faiths...but why not mention all religions? Our nation is also home to Wiccans, Buddhists, Unitarian Universalists, to say nothing (literally) of many Native American belief systems. Or maybe all of those are lumped together in the rather dismissive descriptor, "non-believer." So, "believers" are Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus....everyone else is a "non-believer?" Tsk-tsk, Mr. President. On my next visit to Gettysburg, I will keep an eye out for the Muslim and Hindu monuments, recognizing their contribution to the struggle against racism, segregation, etc., in the United States, and their avid support of Lincoln in the Civil War (which is usually capitalized, when referring to the civil war in the United States).