Independence Day Eulogy
Do we deserve to celebrate today?
Our nation was blessed with a new beginning at a time in history when a new beginning was very much needed.
Life was bleak for the common people. Things were so bad that it was worth considerable risk to create change. Freedom sounded like a good idea.
A good many people from every station in life took these risks to make sure that this new idea — the United States — guaranteed every citizen a voice, a vote and a good stab at happiness and upward mobility.
For the first time in history, the common person could do more than dream of being something more than his or her birth station allowed.
Religious freedom was a key goal for many of the immigrants who fled to America, including both sides of my family tree.
This was all new 237 years ago. Many sacrificed and died that this great experiment might continue to prosper as older and richer nations faltered and failed.
As we look over our experiences of the last five years, we have to wonder. We seem to have become a nation that celebrates our freedoms and the power and advantages they give us, but we so often fail to use them. Our social focus seems to be on protecting ourselves and our accumulated wealth and comfort. If speaking out for the downtrodden or the abused might cost us —well, let some other fool bear that burden. And if no one does — well, it’s not that big a loss.
Religious freedom is foundational to American life. Sadly, churches use their protected status to abuse their most vulnerable members. Whether it’s small congregations or helpless children — the modern church puts its hierarchical interests above the people they serve. And nothing will stop them from protecting their right to bully.
The courts, too, charged to examine corporate issues fairly and impartially are tempted to turn a blind eye to abuses of the freedoms in the church. Avoiding interference in doctrinal issues gives a license to church leaders to create doctrinal issues where none exist so that they can have their way without regard to the law on corporate issues. A few more decades may reveal just how dangerous this lawless monster can become. We are starting to get a glimpse of it as the scandals in the Roman Catholic church continue to unravel. Protestants have their challenges, too.
Until the courts realize that every aspect of church life does not involve doctrine — that a lot of it is contractual with corporate promises that should be binding — there is a remedy. The people — the foundation of both our country and the Church — can exercise the rights that so many people continue to sacrifice to protect. They can speak up, they can advocate, they can be adversaries for others.
But they probably won’t. It might cost them their status, some money, some comfort and ease. Freedom to be selfish.
Patriots are admired, not emulated. Saints are appreciated most after they die. Click to tweet.
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell wrote a book, A Nation of Wimps. Perhaps there will be a sequel: A Church of Wimps.