Reclaiming a Spirit of Liberty - An Independence Day 2022 Reflection

 

It is Independence Day, the day that representatives of thirteen British colonies in North America chose to declare their independence from Great Britain. The United States of America, as a separate nation-state, was still in its embryonic stage. It would be a few more years before the War of Independence would conclude and even more years before a stable constitutional republic could be formed.

I graduated from high school in 1976, so I remember the many bicentennial celebrations. I even received a red, white, and blue tassel that year (fortunately our school colors were red and white so it wasn’t that out of the ordinary. There was a lot of optimism in 1976. The Vietnam War had concluded, and the Cold War was ongoing but it was in the back of most of our minds. We had a lot of pride in the nation. Well, now it’s been two hundred and forty-six years since that fateful day in 1776 when the nation’s independence was declared. There is great concern that we might be in the process of abdicating our freedom as a democratic people (and no I don’t mean a political party by that name).

          As congressional hearings examine evidence that a plan was being enacted that sought to overturn the results of the recent Presidential election so that the President, who had lost the election, could continue in office, there seem to be many in this nation that supported that effort. We are living at a time when some in our nation claim that the United States is not a democracy but a republic. Let us remember that there are different forms of democracy and republics. Consider that China is a republic as is Russia. I don't think we are republics in that format. So, despite the claims of some, we are indeed a democracy. The form that this democracy takes is a representative one. We vote for representatives who govern in our name. While there is increasing distrust of our electoral system, fed by conspiracy theories that are running rampant, we must stand firm as a nation and protect our right to vote. With that in mind we need to keep an eye on a case that the Supreme Court will take up next year that could undermine the way states conduct elections, such that state legislatures could possibly overturn the popular votes in their states using an obscure concept that apparently resides in the Consitution. As it stands, the Electoral College elects the President. Could legislatures disregard the popular vote and send electors of their own choosing? It's possible.

            I'm concerned about the growing numbers of Americans who are praising authoritarian leaders such as Victor Orban of Hungary and even Vladimir Putin of Russia. In fact, the former President seems to idolize authoritarian leaders and styles himself as one himself. Is this where we're heading, where the press is stifled and those who criticize the leader are punished? Are we ready for our own Putin? That's a question we need to ponder.  

                So, on this Independence Day, at a time when our nation is more divided than at any time since perhaps the 1960s when the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights push disrupted the political life of the nation (I was young and oblivious to all of that was going on) may we reclaim a spirit of liberty, that embraces true democracy. Democracy is not perfect. It’s not divinely inspired. However, it’s the best we have. The founders put in some checks and balances. For the most part, they have helped keep the nation stable, but things have gotten out of balance recently. We’re seeing a Supreme Court that seems stuck in the 18^th century, not recognizing that a document like the Constitution (the nation’s founding document) must be interpreted, and not in a wooden manner. Even as a wooden literalism in biblical interpretation takes us in a wrong direction, so does a wooden interpretation of the Constitution. In other words, there needs to be a bit of common sense in the way the Court operates.

               I am by nature optimistic, but as you can see a bit of pessimism is present in my Independence Day reflection. I am hopeful about the future of this nation, but if we are to overcome this period of division and attraction to populistic authoritarianism, then we must reclaim our role in the body politic. A democracy is only as strong as its constituent parts, its voters. When we limit access to the polls then we limit voices. Let us remember that when this nation was founded and the Declaration of Independence declared that all men are equal, they meant white men of property. Women and persons of color were not included in the body politic. With Roe v. Wade overturned just a few days earlier, let us not forget that the nineteenth amendment permitting women to vote did not get enacted until 1920. The Voting Rights Act, which overturned laws preventing African Americans from voting was enacted in 1965. That Act is under duress. Many other rights are threatened. We saw the demise of Roe v. Wade. What is next? Who is going to be the next target? My LGBTQ friends are worried. Are you? What about freedom or religion? Are we willing to protect all religions or just that of the "majority"? My Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu friends want to know. 

                Here’s my final word. If you truly want to celebrate Independence Day forget the fireworks and the hot dog eating contests, and the next time there’s an election, be sure to vote. When you vote keep in mind your neighbor, and I define neighbor here broadly, even as Jesus did. As for me, I need to keep in mind that word from Jesus about the 2^nd great commandment, which is “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” May that command guide your Fourth of July celebration. Oh, and for those who claim to follow Jesus on this day, remember that our Ultimate Allegiance belongs to him, and therefore, that allegiance tempers any other allegiances including to one’s nation. In the Kingdom of God, America is not first! It’s just one of many nations where God is at work!