The only thing we have to fear...

In his first inaugural address,  Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "...the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself..." (Go to this link to hear a stirring, audio excerpt of this speech: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057). His administration ushered in a period of history often referred to as the "American Century," and it was a time of hope, of vanquishing foes, of rebuilding, and of more hope, right up through our nation's 44th President. The "American Century" may be waning before its hundred years is up. A trusted political commentator recently suggested that we are becoming a fearful people again, possibly being told whom to fear, and even being urged to arm ourselves against the threats that may come from our neighbors or across the sea. We are clearly not living in a time of optimism and hope.

Another voice I was reading recently said that we have lost touch with what he called "the American Jeremiad." By this he meant that we have been at our best as a nation when we are self-critical, comparing our current reality and its actions against the values we hold dear--"liberty and justice for all," "e pluribus unum" (out of many, one), and even "one nation, under God." Holding out hope that the "American Experiment" will stand the test of time--or at least the current moment--is what has kept us a strong nation, and made us a beacon (of sorts) to many other nations. However, as the jeremiad principle illustrates, we must never stop being self-critical, balanced by a sober view of how we are doing against our national values, and being soothed and encouraged by optimism and hope. Again, we do not seem to be living in those times. Where is our hope? We have a President who has stated on more than one occasion that "he is the only one who can solve our problems." Any one who believes this has abandoned the "American Experiment," and is wrapping up all hope into a singular figure. The Romans had a word for this--Caesar.

As Christian people, we profess Jesus as Lord. In a discussion with St. Paul's Pastor Emeritus recently, he recounted reading Marcus Borg's statement: "Jesus is Lord--Caesar is not." Maybe it's time for a refresher course on this concept? There are a great variety of ways to interpret "Jesus is Lord," but if we keep the focus on Jesus, I still believe we will be on the right track. I happen to believe that the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon the Mount from Matthew offer incredible guidance on how we do this.

John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Martin Luther King, Jr., in speaking about the parable of The Good Samaritan, questions the motives of the actors. The priest and levite in the story asked themselves, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But the Good Samaritan asked, "If I don't stop and help this man, what will happen to him?" How have we gotten to a place as a people and as a nation to where the universal question seems to be, "What's in it for me?" This is a question that propels us away from life in community, and toward a fearful, protective life, if you want to call it that. And, it ain't American! And it certainly isn't Christian, a faith whose scriptures say things like "Perfect love casts out all fear," and "God has not given you a spirt of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."

The fear that seems to be gripping people is leading to inappropriate and dangerous actions, including but not exclusively limited to: more citizens buying and carrying guns; more and increasing "hate speech," (from all political angles); "justified" classism, racism, sexism; and isolationism. These are not the things that Christ taught, and politically, they are not the values the American "Founding Fathers" gave us.

So, what are we to do about this state of affairs? We should stay informed, using time-honored and time-tested sources of news and information. Read books! And read some history. Read the Bible, for God's sake, and then connect up with your faith community to discuss what you read so you don't form yet another individualized, isolated, and possibly highly distorted opinion about what it says! That last part is so important--put yourself in community with people who look and think differently than you! It is in this diversity, dialogue, and wrestling with each other and the issues that we will discover both compromise and integrity, as people, as a country, and as a church. If we only affiliate with those who are just like we are, we may come to believe that our tribe is right, and the only ones who are right. At that point, fear wins--fear of "the other," fear of what might happen, and fear of what may happen to us. Remember the parable of The Good Samaritan, and what Dr. King said about it. And, as an American, remember what FDR and JFK said. We've got to turn the corner on this, or our future is not only much dimmer, but more precarious.