America is not so much a country as it is a promise left unfulfilled, a Terra incognito of unrealized potential. A promise that not only transcends the idea of a “government of the people, for the people and by the people,” but the prospect of a socialist alternative. Fortunately, we don’t have to look far to find another model. It lies right beneath our feet. That the compacted layers of previous civilizations overlies the bedrock of their best intentions would suggest two things. One. Humanities overarching aspiration to be free. And Two. They rarely achieved it. Yet, to think that they did not strive would be a misnomer, as sufficient evidence exist to suggest otherwise. A prime example being that of “The Iroquois Confederacy,” not to mention a host of other fledgling, egalitarian and democratic Indigenous societies. And, while today most Indigenous peoples in the America’s are classified as a minorities, the fact remains that they often form the base of the demographic pyramid, particularly in Latin America. In addition, their communal and religious orientation often falls outside of schemas of control. For that reason they remain a potential threat to established hierarchies. Frustrating not only socialist expectations, but that of non-representative democratic institutions.
As a result, comparisons can then be made between the ongoing Indigenous resistance to worldly authorities and their continuing identification with the First Century Church. The point being that the promise of Christmas and a risen savior resonates far more with the oppressed than it does with the privileged. And it is from that perspective that we can see the true story of Christmas. Not just that of the prophesied return as a Christ-child, but as an incarnate liberator. And, while much like ‘the angel that stirred the waters’ at Shiloam, Christ came to stir the pot!
And, even as “the Romans killed Jesus for being an insurrectionist, revolutionary leader, and political threat to the state, they feared the radicalism of the message he preached even more. And they were right to fear it!” (Mr. Fish / Truthdig) While the Christian Gospel may remain the preeminent manifesto for resistance to power, the corpus of the radicalism Jesus preached would not only be distorted, but muted, by both religious and secular leaders alike. Yet quite interestingly, it was not only the religious potentates who claimed biblical authority to justify and promote their own agendas, but ‘the divine right of kings’ of their secular counterparts. Yet to put this in its proper perspective, noted theologian Paul Tillich, was quick to remind us that “all institutions, including the church, are inherently demonic.” What does that say then about the followers of Christ; those called not just to resist evil, but to destroy the works of the devil. And in view of the fact that they haven’t, how can we then argue with Mr. Fish, I paraphrase – “America is in a state of terminal decline; its mortal delusion festooned by moral decadence. Enveloped by evil, while bowing the knee to Baal, the monstrosity of its mendacity and greed have few equals. Severed from its very humanity, it demands sacrifice, even while parading around a plastic Jesus, to remind us of the centrality of Christmas. Yet faith demands that we smash the idols of our religiosity. Nothing is easy about dying to oneself, as it takes and uncommon spirit to see ourselves as we really are – faithless! Yet faith demands that we become like the salt of the earth, because if we don’t we’ll become like the wretched of the earth, truly acquainted with the suffering of others. And it is at that point that we will be left with little option but to act on behalf of others, as the ‘other’ has now become ourselves.”
While Tillich may have been right in his appraisal of human institutions, it goes without saying that government, as a component of human social organization, has often been characterized as a necessary evil. And, therein lies the problem, as it is the individual that will ultimately determine the course of action. And, as our political failings are but symptomatic of a deeper dissonance, we are in fact the ones that will be held responsible for either rectifying the situation or remaining complicit in perpetuating collective misery at the cost of constructive change.
CoupStick Chaplain 