United But Different

 I think that the goal in being “United” is to allow for diversity but within the umbrella of unity.  The United States are not all the same and never have been, but the effort is to be able to have differences within some overall unity.  A totalitarian situation allows for no differences.  I think of this in terms of religion.  Two people can be on a spiritual quest which is what unites them. But each has found a different path. One learns something from the other in a respectful and listening dialogue.  This would be an interfaith unity with diversity.  On the other hand there are people who think their way is the only way, and if you are not on their way, you are simply wrong, bad, stupid, lazy and a host of other judgmental words.  There can be no overall unity much less civility where it is my way or no way.  The Protestant Reformation and all the religious wars attest to that.  I guess I am not much into convert work.