Friend:

I’m writing this week’s message while driving through Tennessee with my husband, Mark, and our dog, Teddy. We’re returning from a five-week “workcation” in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that was, in every way, magical.

From the stunning mountains on all sides to the flavors of the regional cuisine; the beautiful light reflected by ancient adobe walls to the enduring traditions of native tribes; the fantastically starry skies overhead to the art everywhere, from museums to galleries to the murals on the streets—Santa Fe is an enchanting place unlike anywhere in our country.

Of course, given that “Santa Fe” itself means “holy faith,” the city is saturated with religious iconography. Christian crosses—many of which are extraordinary works of art—adorn walls public and private. Churches and chapels are too numerous to count. Even non-Christian visitors like me cannot help but feel moved to watch so many people, from a homeless man to a bride, down on their knees praying at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

That’s why Santa Fe was an ideal place to contemplate the work we do at Americans United, and the country in which we do it. I write about many of the big-picture thoughts that came to me in my December Church & State column. But I kept a few to share with you today.

America’s complex history and relationship with religion was on vivid display as we drove through Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. In my column, I mention the “Jesus Saves” billboards that were everywhere, which can make non-Christians feel “othered” and unwelcome. 

In Santa Fe itself, the religious expression seemed more deeply rooted in history (but to be clear, despite what the Supreme Court said in the Bladensburg Cross case, this history doesn’t make it any less Christian). Still, Santa Fe’s religiosity did not have the Christian nationalist ethos that flourishes across much of America.

But in so many other places, there’s often an aggressive “us” vs. “them” undertone. And it reminds us that “religion,” overwhelmingly white nationalist Christian, is increasingly an organizing principle for vast numbers of places and people in our land. It ominously echoes the words of disgraced former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn, who last weekend said:

“If we are going to have one nation under God—which we must—we have to have one religion. You have to believe this, that God Almighty is, like, involved in this country, because this is it ... This is the shining city on the hill.”

Flynn mistakes the torches of burning Constitutions for the divine light he tries to summon to justify his seditious vision of America. And though his remarks were broadly condemned, they were also heartily cheered by his intended audience.

Fortunately, as I return from these weeks of “workcation,” I am rested, ready and resolved to strengthen our fight for true religious liberty. 

During next week’s Thanksgiving holiday, I’ll give thanks for all I saw, learned and discovered on my journey. I will remember the different experiences of Thanksgiving among those who colonized our country and those who were colonized. I will also give thanks for your steadfast commitment to Americans United.

At your own table, I hope you take the time to soak in the love of family and friends and to pause for a moment to ponder what you are grateful for right now. We could all use some replenishment—and our cause will need you more than ever in the coming year.

With hope and gratitude,