We Must Think and Act Anew

We Must Think and Act Anew

​In our nation’s political discourse, Americans are overwhelmed by stark contradictions and untruths that permeate our political environment.  The influence of social media, algorithm-driven content, and the provocative language used by populist leaders amplify misunderstandings among us.  We can take two pathways: one path tempts individuals with fear and aggression, while the other encourages open, meaningful conversations that foster community and hope.  Using language rooted in faith and wisdom is crucial in nurturing hope and devising collective solutions.
 
The practice of instilling fear, manipulating, and controlling people through fear casts a shadow over our vision.  Such language inflicts recurring damage to our social bond and unity, ultimately hindering our ability to see each other as fellow human beings and recognize each other as the children of God we are, regardless of how one perceives God's presence in the world and within various faith communities.
 
In this turbulent 21st-century landscape, characterized by intense cultural clashes, entrenched political beliefs, and unwavering allegiance to political factions and populist figures, the Federalist Papers reemerge with significant relevance.  Authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, these papers are not just historical texts but crucial reminders of the core of knowledgeable governance and defense against despotism.
 
The Federalist Papers call for a republic supported by an informed majority, stressing that a thriving democracy relies on the educated consent of its citizens.  This is especially pertinent in an age of misinformation and division, where the danger of veering toward the despotism of the misled and manipulated is alarmingly accurate.  According to these documents, the remedy to such despotism is education—a populace knowledgeable about its rights, the workings of governance, and the intricate balance of powers.
 
Facing the current threats of demagoguery, authoritarianism, and a looming theocracy, the insights offered by the Federalist Papers are invaluable.  They advocate for alertness to factionalism and the risks of concentrated power, proposing an extensive republic with separated powers and a system of checks and balances to protect democracy.
 
They also highlight the hazard posed by populist demagogues and despots who might use social media and their charismatic appeal to replace democracy with authoritarian rule or a theocracy rooted in one nationalistic religion.  This concern emphasizes the importance of electoral systems to prevent the ascension of leaders who exploit religious zeal for demagogic ends.
 
Though not explicitly stated in the Papers, the principle of separating church and state is implied through the support for a government not influenced by religious authority.  This ensures that freedom of religion remains a personal choice untouched by governmental enforcement.
 
Thus, the Federalist Papers serve as a vital call to action, urging us to protect democracy through alertness, education, and adherence to freedom, justice, and the common good.  They remind us that defending democracy is an active endeavor, requiring us to reaffirm our commitment to fundamental principles amidst ongoing and new challenges.
 
As we traverse the 21st century, the wisdom of Hamilton, Madison, and Jay acts as a guiding light, directing us through the stormy seas of contemporary governance.  By leveraging the profound insights into human nature and governance found in the Federalist Papers, we can cultivate enlightened leadership that transcends partisanship and embraces a broader perspective, ensuring the flame of freedom continues to serve as a global beacon of hope and guidance.
 
Reflecting on our religious foundations and the First Amendment's five freedoms, it's essential to comprehend the historical and societal contexts that shaped these pivotal democratic values.  The First Amendment, enacted in 1791, emphasizes the significance of freedoms concerning religion, speech, press, assembly, and government petitioning.
 
The pursuit of religious freedom, a key motivator for the Puritan migration led by John Winthrop, was deeply embedded in the religious turmoil of Europe, especially the Reformation. This period challenged the Catholic Church's dominance and led to devastating conflicts.  Winthrop and his Puritans' establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony was a significant step towards practicing faith freely, without persecution.
 
The Enlightenment and the Age of Reason further molded American foundational principles, promoting reason, liberty, and democracy.  These eras advocated for religious tolerance and the separation of church and state, principles that directly influenced the First Amendment's guarantees.
 
John Winthrop's concept of America as a "City Upon a Hill," articulated in his "A Model of Christian Charity" sermon, has echoed through the ages.  This idea highlighted America's potential as a beacon of hope and democratic values, a sentiment reiterated by U.S. Presidents from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan.  These references celebrate American exceptionalism and the pluralistic society America strives to be.
 
American exceptionalism serves as both an inspiration and a caution.  It highlights the importance of striving towards the founding ideals of freedom, equality, and justice for all.  It also acknowledges the risks of complacency, which can lead to isolationism, a sense of superiority, and neglect of global duties.
 
Entertainment news models and politicians who inflame our worst fears for profit and contributions must stop.  As citizens, we must not allow this model to manipulate us further.  Instead, we must heed the concluding words of Abraham Lincoln from his 1862 - Annual Address to Congress.  We must disenthrall ourselves from this pattern of self-destruction.
 
“We can succeed only by concert. . . . The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.  The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion.  As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.  We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.
 
Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history.  We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves.  No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us.  The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.” — Abraham Lincoln’s, December 1, 1862, Annual Message to Congress
 
In the shadow of rising authoritarianism, with demagogues exploiting social media and charismatic leaders ascending to power, the enduring wisdom of the Federalist Papers becomes crucially relevant.  In a time marked by ideological entrenchment and the erosion of democratic norms, John Winthrop's vision and the Federalist Papers are symbols of hope.
 
They help remind Americans that a robust democracy demands individual liberty and a commitment to the common good, urging us to view those with differing opinions as part of a shared national endeavor.  As our heritage, they offer guidance for a government that is strong enough to protect our freedoms yet restrained enough to prevent tyrants from emerging.  The vision of American exceptionalism and the insights from the Federalist Papers are not antiquated concepts but a dynamic antidote to the constant threat of tyranny, providing timeless guidance across a tumultuous landscape of chaos instead of wise governance.
 
By upholding the principles of wise, informed governance, separation of powers, and the defense of individual liberties against tyrants and demagogues, we honor the legacy of the Federalist Papers and strengthen the foundation of our democracy.  This unified approach is both a homage to our founding fathers' foresight and a strategic plan for protecting our democratic ideals against the threats of authoritarianism and theocracy.
 
When partisan politics, ideologies, baseless nationalism, autocracy, and diminishing trust in our democratic institutions and electoral processes threaten our societal bond, becoming idols and forms of idolatry, people of faith are called to action.  Silence and disengagement are not options.  We must seek meaningful dialogue, striving for greater reconciliation and blessing, much like Jacob's wrestling with God at Peniel.

Ron Starbuck, Publisher/CEO/Executive Editor
Saint Julian Press, Inc., Houston, Texas © 2024

Saint Julian Press Suggested Readings & Books
 
 
Echoes of Barmen
 
Hope Over Fear
 
An American Experiment: A Saint Julian Press Retelling
 
We Must Think and Act Anew
 
America: Blest Be the Tie That Binds
 
From Dogma to Democracy: How Enlightenment Ignited the American Spirit
 
The Radical Love of Jesus: A Call for Compassion
 
We Are Citizens of the World
 
We Must Disenthrall Ourselves
 
A Threat to American Democracy
 
The Shining City Upon the Hill
 
Citizen — C. Andrew Doyle (Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas)
 
And There Was Light — Jon Meacham