Encouragement for people tempted to quit

sonnyholmes

Jun 25, 20203 min read

Reactionary knee jerks.

Our founders were committed and inspired to establish a government that sought the common good. Amendment 1 of the Constitution of the United States guaranteed several important rights of American citizens---

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the

free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right

of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of

grievances.

Most of us are aware of the freedoms established in this amendment, especially the freedoms of religion, speech or expression, or of the press. Less known is the "right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances". Citizens of these United States may assemble and solicit the government for correction of laws that abridge the common good. Numerous times in United States history the people have protested perceived injustices that had been enabled by law. Famous protests include the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August, 1963; the Anti-Vietnam Protest in November 1969; Solidarity Day in Washington DC, in September, 1981; the Anti-Nuclear March in New York City, June, 1982; the Million Man March, Washington, October, 1995; among many others. There have been labor strikes, educational breaks, price freezing exercises, public marches, rallies, sit-ins, walk outs, processions, days, pilgrimages, motorcades, tractorcades, cavalcades, and barricades.

From our earliest days down through history we've known the value and blessing of our right to peaceably assemble.

On occasion these rights to peaceably assemble have escalated to riots of violent destruction. It's not that rare in American history that a valid gathering of citizens could suddenly erupt into a dangerous mob scene. You know, like the Boston Tea Party. It has certainly happened before the recent riots following the George Floyd killing by police. The other day I found a very interesting article at www.cnbc about the most destructive riots in our history. If you'd like to read it click here. Of course, the most recent ones touch our lives now. We see them and are fearful for our nation. They are perhaps easier for us to understand when we're talking about the common good, factions, and minority/majority politics. You see, the peaceable assembly of citizens, even when the numbers are large, doesn't always gain the result the faction is seeking. Their passion for the issue under consideration often ignites more flammable emotions. We have seen the results. Peaceable assembly doesn't always produce the desired outcomes.

It's a perplexity of exponential times. Contemporary citizens generally approve of the faction goals to reduce racial discrimination in America. They will not, however, blindly nod assent for events or activities that are illegal, destructive, or against the public welfare or common good. Broadly, the majority of Americans do not favor trying to sanitize our past by removing historical markers, defacing monuments or statues, or re-naming buildings. The Majority of our population do not approve of the illegal and dangerous actions by those seeking to erase our history. The Christian worldview through which I interpret most things asserts this biblical truth---

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for

every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show

perfect courtesy toward all people.

Titus 3: 1-2, ESV

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as

servants of God.

1 Peter 2:16, ESV

You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried

away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

2 Peter 3: 17, ESV

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.

3 John 1: 11, ESV

That's the real down-side of reactionary reform, that is , constantly seeking to meet the needs of those factions who begin by peaceably assembling. If their agenda is not met, their actions often dial up to a higher and more dangerous level. We can surely agree with groups like Black Lives Matter in their desire for racial equality in our nation. Just the same, we must not give approval to their destructive ways.

Reform is necessary at times. It should always be the will of the people rather than the reactionary knee-jerks that usually trigger something worse.

sonnyholmes

Jun 24, 20203 min read

Factions and fractions.

Reading The Federalist Papers by Publius, the pen name Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay used in their 85 pro-Constitution articles written in 1788 was laborious. These men wrote eloquently, using language and penmanship far above my lint-head orientation. Beyond seeking approval of the proposed Constitution, their articles gave warning of human tendencies that could pose threats to the new kind of government outlined in the Constitution. Today, people who monitor such things note that Federalist 9 and 10, written by Hamilton and Madison respectively, are the most referenced of the 85. They address the complication of factions in the representative republic government of the Constitution. They speak of realities we are facing today in our political and social unrest. Hamilton and Madison warned of the danger of factions when the faction dictates policy rather than the majority, or the factions trample the rights of minority citizens.

Madison wrote "By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community" (Federalist 10. If you would like to read it, click here). Madison indicated that factions are an element of human nature, the way people form alliances as weight behind a particular agenda. Of course, political parties are easily viewed as factious, as well as many special interest groups with voting and media power. Which introduces the fear that elected representatives would favor their chosen faction over the needs of the people. In the language of this week, Madison challenged his readers to favor the common good over a faction. Isn't it amazing right now that a faction like Black Lives Matter, a decentralized network of 30 chapters and no hierarchy, with a noble stated mission, could be in such control of our Congress and judicial systems and popular opinion? That such a non-violent purposed group could produce violence, property destruction, killing, and disruptive behavior under the approval of elected officials is perhaps proof of their thoughts so long ago.

Which brings me to the fractions part of this thing. Factions can become so feared and powerful that the needs of a majority of the citizenry are overlooked and deemed insignificant. A small fraction of the American population is actually driving the national agenda. Hamilton and Madison thought factions could be good in keeping the ship of state moving as long as they didn't form a majority. Today, however, many factions partner to raise the numbers and gain control. The fractions become larger and more significant. When five or six factions can discover agreement they can become larger than the majority. Somewhere in this mess the common good is misplaced. What is best for an aggregate faction majority becomes the most common good. A sad commentary about factions. Mr.'s Hamilton and Madison were on to something.

Strong biblical principles formed the essentials of our government. Equality, justice, unalienable rights, the value of every life, were viewed by the founders as qualities guaranteed by God. They would have also agreed with biblical virtues like unity, harmony, peace, freedom, prosperity, and kindness. Scripture portrayed division, contention, argument, anger, envy, jealousy, and more negative emotional responses as hindrances to the spirit of community.

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 13: 19, ESV

I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree,

and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and

the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1: 10, ESV

Finally, brothers,[a] rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one

another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13: 11, ESV

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord

and of one mind.

Philippians 2: 2, ESV

You mean to tell me that our government is supposed to be like a church. Not hardly. There is the freedom of religion thing at the root of our national perspective. But, just the same, these biblical qualities were meant to be lived in every area of human life, not just at Sunday church. They are guarantees of right human relationships, the absence of which produces factions and fractions which can be dangers in a representative republic.

sonnyholmes

Jun 23, 20203 min read

Founding principles.

None of us were there. Yes, hundreds of source documents and multitudes of historians have given us the admixture of fact and legend by which we remember our nations birth. In this information age any of us can read The Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, The Federalist Papers, many biographies of the founders, and history lesson after history lesson for important insight into the basic principles and values these mere humans crafted into our governing ideals. Still, even the most visionary among us can barely imagine those United States 244 years ago. It was a much smaller, less diverse nation on the brink of radically new system of governance. Try as we might, visualizing early America is a test. Knowing factual details about the founders is even more confounding. They were obviously brilliant thinkers, men and women of vision, even people of faith. None of their stellar parameters, however, fit what we would presume about them in our world. That step back is a big one.

Even most detractors and revisionists will admit the Christian thought that over-shadowed the government system they envisioned. Laws about justice, unalienable rights, religious practice, the various human freedoms, and so much more have a spiritual leaning to them. It is believed that most of the founders practiced Christian faith. Of course, in the same breath we'll have to note that there wasn't a church on every corner then, denominations for the most part were not developed, personal morality was less visible, and social standards weren't absolute. There was a rigid class system, wealth and poverty, educated and uneducated, land-owners and tenants, and many other questionable distinctions. Also, with all the mention of rights and justice, almost all of the people we would consider "founders" were slave owners. How many of us have puzzled about that one in the current environment.

OK, let's do the worldview thing again. With Scripture as my guide, this Christian lens recognizes that in history our Sovereign God has used flawed, imperfect, sinful humans to accomplish his bidding. They really are too numerous to list in this space, the often troubled or damaged or broken men and women who served God's purpose in their lives. In many ways they are the heroes of faith we remember not for their perfection but for their mistaken ways and redemptive use by their Heavenly Father. King David and Simon Peter would lead that list in my book. The man in the mirror would be among that number too. Check out these Scripture references---

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I

might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Romans 9: 17, ESV (almost verbatim of Exodus 9:16).

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Ecclesiastes 7: 20, ESV

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I

persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 15: 9, ESV

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our

sufficiency is from God,

2 Corinthians 3: 5, ESV

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into

the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1: 15, ESV

As usual every day in this space, these are just a few examples of God using imperfect humans to fulfill his plan in real historical situations. Which raises a significant question for the doubters out there: was the establishment of the United States a work of God? The faith of our founders is another debate among our historians. Having read many biographies of those identified as founders or framers there's little doubt in my mind that most of them held strong Christian beliefs. It's not the Christianity we flash around today but quieter, softer beliefs and practices, less churchy at the least. They believed God was directing the establishment of a new government system. Yes, I do believe God used these remarkable but flawed humans to establish One Nation Under God, as our Pledge of Allegiance was modified in 1954.

Whether those courageous men and women were devout is a question historians are likely never to conclude. But, the United States of America is a remarkable nation whose governance reflects many biblical ideals. In my mind, the common good is one of them, a founding principle with strong Scriptural precedents. It was important to them, It should be important to us.