Self-proclaimed student of all things historical Carl Doerner exclaims his disapproval of Israel and U.S. policies against the Palestinians. John Bos returns to WWII, drawing parallels between Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump. William Gran sees climate change destroying our planet and Jim Culleny questions everyone’s motives including God’s handling of things in the book of Joshua.
Well, perish the thought that an ordained minister of the Gospel has contrary opinions. We preachers are expected to be open and affirming to ALL things human, downplaying any boundaries set forth in Scripture. Some members of the clergy see themselves “above the fray” letting America go its merry way, concentrating only on leading their parish into heaven.
I am also an American fighting man, so called by the U.S. Air Force — trained by Uncle Sam to defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. OK, that was 55 years ago. Back then America was “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” This nation has changed drastically over the years and I see America today as more of a land of fruits and nuts … governed by the same. As for me, I am still fighting, albeit in vain. I could say here that the Democrats are to blame, but with pro-choice Donald Trump and Charlie Baker in support of transgender people using the bathrooms they prefer and John McCain wanting to draft women, I can’t.
Part of me could rejoice to see the day when America, not unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, goes up in smoke. But like the prophet Jeremiah, I am a patriot and will do no such thing. I have always been an optimist, pathetically so, seeing America humbling itself before God, praying and seeking God and turning from its wicked ways. Now? Not.
Did my optimism rely solely on America becoming Christian from the White House on down? Absolutely not, although I’ve dreamed of such things. This is America! All of us have the liberty, at the moment, to worship whom or what we choose, even the “almighty buck,” and the privilege to cast our vote for the person who best reflects our ideals (always an uphill battle). I celebrate these freedoms.
Here then, is the rub. As we live under the Bill of Rights, no right is given to any group to pass laws denying the safety and autonomy of another. Eminent domain by the government, for example, does not extend to the soul. The federal government has no right using our public schools as beta testing laboratories for experiments in human behavior.
Shortsighted demands from a riot scene should never become law to empower those who govern without wisdom.
So, in the spirit of Carl Doerner, et al, based upon secular and scriptural history, I am convinced that the seeds of destruction, embedded within our democracy, have sprouted and are taking root. The old-time fear of presidential mandates creating violent dissent, leading to the enactment of martial law, shutting down a presidential election thereby making that president a monarch for the foreseeable future, is now blossoming into a real possibility.
Rev. Phill Grant lives in Bernardston.