Freedom From Tyranny
“Americans came to liberate, not to conquer; to restore freedom and to end tyranny.”
These are the words inscribed at the base of the flagpoles at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
I used to think that something we could all agree on was that tyranny, as a general principle, is bad. There seemed to be consensus around the idea that tyrants are bad.
It didn’t matter if it was the schoolyard bully, the corporate executive, the pastor, or leaders of countries. It seemed like it was part of our social contract that people who exhibited narcissistic tendencies shouldn’t be given a lot of power and we didn’t need to look up these words in the dictionary or compare individuals to the worst examples of bullies and tyrants to know one when we saw one.
We instinctively knew that anyone who used their power to hurt others, or with complete disregard as to the impact of their actions on others, should not hold power.
“Freedom from tyranny.” That was our thing.
When people used to talk about the United States being built on “Christian values,” that’s what that meant! Freedom from tyranny was Jesus’s thing. It’s what the Bible is about - salvation from tyranny!
They also meant ethics - humility, generosity, perseverance, mercy - attributes that are in opposition to tyranny. But now a whole swath of American Christianity seems to have abandoned all ethical standards.
White supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, and nationalism are not Christian values, they are the values of Empire - of tyranny.
I almost deleted that last sentence, but I took a break to watch a live conversation between Heather Cox Richardson and Timothy Snyder in which he said something about the way to fight this is by each of us focusing on our issue with our people.
Well, this is my issue: Christianity has been corrupted and needs to be turned back to Jesus. I’m going to keep beating that drum.
These last several weeks have been hard. The war with Iran is so brazenly authoritarian and the people who are supposed to serve as checks and balances are cowards.
Do not lose hope.
The moral arc of the universe does bend toward justice. I believe that because I believe that Jesus’s God has a finger on the scale. When our faith in that justice turns to action then our collective works change the world.
I also believe that while, yes, there are a lot more racists and misogynists out there than I once thought, there are also millions of people who truly believe they are following Jesus but have been lied to about who Jesus is. I think they are reachable.
I believe the Good News of love and redemption that Jesus shared can break through; it is the message of Life.
…and Life always finds a way.
Don’t forget, this Saturday is #NoKings. If you’re here in Loudoun County, the events scheduled are visibility brigades on the Route 7 overpasses at Battlefield Pkwy, Crosstrail Blvd, Belmont Ridge Pkwy, and Ashburn Village Blvd. All are 1 pm - 2:30. If you’ve never done one of these before, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. I’m leaning toward going to the one on Crosstrail.
In honor of No Kings Day, I’m offering 20% my book The Alt King is Born through my website: https://www.angelambecek.com/shop/p/the-alt-king-is-born Use code NOKINGS20
#faithfulresistance +