Volume 5, Issue 50
Today is decision day for Alabamans in the Senate race between Roy Moore and Doug Jones. It is also a season of decision for Americans in reference to the cultural course of national unity. Identity politics has now transgressed the threshold of moral pertinence. And, in this moment, this crossing has carried America into a moment of truth for Christianity.
Identity politics actually gained momentum after the fall of the Soviet Union. Not only had communism failed governmentally, it had failed morally. If there had been any benefit morally to society from total government control, then the devastating effect upon the populations of the countries of the former Soviet Union would not have been so psychologically catastrophic. Progressives have struggled ever since 1991 to produce empirical data that collectivism versus individual freedom produces greater results for society. Egalitarianism has become their goal, regardless of the impact on the individual. An all-powerful government must be maintained to enforce equality. The constitution and the courts are not enough.
With Karl Marx’s ideology now in question, the tool of the day to challenge capitalism is identity politics. This perspective and effort is destroying democracy.
Who are we now morally and culturally?
Recently on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Matthew Dowd, a prominent contributor to the show, made this incredible statement. "I think we are in a situation where, until the power structure in America and the world changes, because this is all about power, it won't change until that power structure changes. Until more women, more non-whites, more non-Christians are involved in power in the country, this will not change." This admonition carries identity politics past the threshold of cultural moral authority. Why? The first two examples of cause and effect refer to state-of-life. We are born as men or women. We have no choice in that state in life. We are born black, white, Hispanic or other. We have no choice in that state in life. But to include Christians as part of the problem attacks the cultural foundations of our country. We are not born Christian. It is a choice on makes as to their state in life.
Under the purview of representative government, one could make the argument that more women in government is good for society. Further, one could make the same argument that more non-whites sharing in the power is good for society. But to declare that we need fewer Christians involved in government brings into question the integrity of Christianity in general. Do we need less Christianity?
What we need are more men and women, more non-whites and whites, and more Christians and non-Christians who believe in the destiny of America as the only country in the world that can produce common purpose for common prosperity. Wishful dependence on the fantasy of fairy tales? Name another country in the world that stands on the premise that mankind was born to be free. And that the state exists to serve mankind’s purpose. And, each individual, without standardization, is encouraged to seek, as he or she sees fit, their individual pursuit of happiness.
Back to Alabama and today’s decision.
Christianity today is being attacked by the national press and progressives, implying that it is not a movement of inclusion, but a special interest group that is part and parcel of a political party. Christianity is not accepting of sin. It deals with sin through the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is critical that Christianity embrace eternal moral values rather than exercise political expediency. The means do not justify the end. Christians may be involved in politics. But Christianity must be reflected in the values of the freedom that was the commitment of Founding Fathers for the commitment of freedom. Eternal principles preceded the United States of America. It is these principles that must be defended, not identity personification.
I predict that Doug Jones will win the Senate race today in Alabama. Not because a majority of Alabamans believe in his political philosophy, but because a majority of Alabamans cannot vote for Roy Moore in fear of breaching the threshold of cultural moral authority. Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama announced this week that he did not vote for Roy Moore, but wrote in an undisclosed name. In so doing, Senator Shelby represents the silent protest by not identifying the name in advocacy. Senator Shelby defeated Senator Jeremiah Denton in 1986. Senator Denton was the first Republican Senator elected in Alabama since Reconstruction. Senator Shelby won as a Democrat and then changed parties to become a Republican thereby leading the transition of the state from deep South Democrat to deep South Republican. Urban voters in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Shelby County are likely to follow Senator Shelby’s example.
Regardless of the outcome in the Alabama election today, the question of ‘what moral authority do we rely upon for the character of our government’ is at stake. If Matthew Dowd is correct, as a country, we should discount Christianity and its values for our moral decisions. If we discount Christianity, then we discount the reflection of the Advent season. If we discount Advent, we reduce the season to nothing more than a festival honoring the gods of an undefined nature. The gods then become a reflection of humanity that we cast upon them. And whether one believes in a fallen world or a purposeless world, such gods reflecting humanity leaves humanity reflecting identity politics.
Matthew Continetti, writing in this month’s Imprimis, a Hillsdale College publication, points out that visitors to certain progressive websites… “could open tabs related to ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities but not one related to a shared vision of American community.” Further, he states that in fact, “we are united by our creed of freedom and equality, and also by our habits, our manners, our national language, our territorial integrity, our national symbols – such as the National Anthem, the Flag, and the Pledge of Allegiance – our civic traditions, and our national story.”
These are all cultural values imbedded in the structure and framework of our great country, preached and defended by the greater calling of Christianity. These values are the outline of the character of our national cultural identity. It is not that we just seek to project these values to the generations, but we are driven by inherent love in our hearts for the need of every person in the world to know the benefits, the peace, and the hope of realizing the freedom protected in unalienable rights.
Continetti quotes Abraham Lincoln in his close. It is appropriate today as we continue to reflect on values and purpose in this Advent season, and as we face the moment of truth of Christianity in America.
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our natures.
What do you believe?