I cannot think of another time in history except perhaps the 60’s with the Civil Rights battle and Vietnam, where the world of my life’s work, theology and religion, so closely overlapped the political scene. We pastors are regularly warned by our parishioners to stay away from politics and to preach the Gospel instead. In our country today, we have descended into a quagmire of lies, deceit, anger and possible treason by people in the highest offices of governance and trust.
We have a president who acts as if rules, laws, decorum and common decency apply to everyone but himself. In just one sentence he often contradicts himself. And when recently asked in a reasonable way about a cabinet position that has not been filled he responds with: “I’m the only one that matters!” Currently his former campaign manager and an associate are under house arrest for possible charges of treason against the United States of America. Other cabinet members and family members are also suspect of the same.
The president demands that immigration laws be changed and a wall be built on the border of Mexico, an ally nation, but when a United States citizen and veteran of the United States Air Force uses a military assault rifle to murder 26 people, many of them children, in a church, the response, unbelievably is: “It’s too early to talk about legislation.” This is sheer madness.
I can’t help but think of these sage words of one of America’s Founding Fathers, Thomas Paine: “These are the times that try men’s souls!” As a firm believer in separation of church and state I nonetheless also believe that there are moral, ethical, legal and just basic human issues that transcend both politics and religion.
Thomas Paine echoes my sentiments beautifully. “I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.” Ironically, I think, his words reflect exactly what both Old and New Testaments demand of those who claim to believe in God; “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
Thomas Paine was born in England and became an American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. He authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and he inspired the rebels in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. In the post-truth days in which we are living, with unprecedented corruption and confusion in the highest offices of our land it may serve us well to re-visit the principles that this nation was founded upon.
Just a few examples of the wisdom of Thomas Paine: “Every religion is good that teaches man to be good; and I know of none that instructs him to be bad.” “He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” “When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.”
Pain’s greatest contribution was undoubtedly the little pamphlet that packed a huge punch, published anonymously on January 10, 1776 at the beginning of the American Revolution titled simply, “Common sense written in clear and persuasive prose,” Paine used moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for independence from Great Britain.
It became an immediate sensation. For those who think that America was founded as a Christian Nation, it is a matter of record that upon returning to the United States from France at the invitation of Thomas Jefferson, Paine discovered that his contributions to the American Revolution had been all but eradicated due to his religious views. Yes, history holds many strange ironies indeed. And as we can see from the Book of the Prophet Amos some things never change. Things like the human struggle for justice, equality and freedom for all human beings. The poor, the lame, the blind and the widow.
Amos drives this same message home using a reference to what is called “The Day of the Lord.” The Day of the Lord in the Old Testament is characterized by a pouring out of divine wrath on God’s enemies. It contains Imagery of natural disasters, crushing military conquest, and terrible supernatural events. The Prophet Amos reverses the curses and blessings, warning the people of Israel to be careful what they wish for.
They long for the Day of the Lord thinking that they will receive the Divine blessings, but Amos says no! They will receive God’s wrath instead. Why? “I hate, I despise your festivals, and take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.” God wants nothing to do with their religious expressions and worship. “Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. ”
Mass shootings, something that was unimaginable just a few years ago are now becoming commonplace, and the response is predictable, because it never changes. Candles are lit. People embrace each other, they huddle and cry. They hold prayer vigils and light candles and sing hymns, and set up memorials to honor the victims. They say: “We condemn this senseless violence. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. Our thanks to law enforcement and first responders.”
Wouldn’t we honor them more by trying to do something about this epidemic of senseless violence? Faith in God does not mean that we pray away injustice and violence, it does not mean we remain silent while ever more innocent people, most especially young children, the most defenseless among us, are cut down by deranged, angry people with military weapons that have absolutely no place in a civil society. I absolutely reject the idea that nothing can be done about this. If having more guns, as we often hear, makes us safe, then America should be the safest country on earth.
For example, when I was in Vietnam there were so many instances of violence among our own American soldiers that our weapons were eventually locked up at night and only issued to us when there was imminent danger of attack. That was in a war zone, and it stopped the killing.
just Janis.
Just Janis 
Thank you Janis.
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