Thanks to you and your co-authors for taking the time and care to think through and write this statement. I’ll be at the Faith and Democracy conference and look forward to hearing from you and talking with you.
Thank you for the collaborative effort on the solid statement & timely conference—both open to the public for participation through signing & attending. (I noticed the option to play audio of this substack post; multiple modes are great.)
It's interesting, and tragic, that people who would probably insist in their belief in the authority of scripture try to bend that scripture to justify rejecting showing neighborly love to immigrants. I wonder what Jesus would say to them.
Excellent statement, Kristin. I hope it received wide distribution and affirmation. One comment though: I’m not sure that the opening reference to and endorsement of the Declaration of Independence as providing a moral framework is wise. Too many Christians already believe it to be a Christian declaration, and indeed quote it as a defence of Christian nationalism. As we know, the religious spirit informing the Declaration is not Christianity but Enlightenment Deism. Might it be good to acknowledge that in the statement?
We're indebted to you, Defenders of Democracy. Your work here reminds me of this excerpt from Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain: " ... had something to do with what was going on in the history of the world. For that was to be 1939, the year when the war that everybody had been fearing finally began to teach us with its inexorable logic that the dread of war is not enough. If you don't want the effect, DO SOMETHING TO REMOVE THE CAUSES. (caps mine) There is no use loving the cause and fearing the effect and being surprised when the effect inevitably follows the cause."
Bravo! But please help. The people I’d like to share this with get hung up on using the term democracy alone. The pledge of allegiance is “to the Republic” and to get technical aren’t we a democratic republic? Unfortunately they will turn off on this. How did the team wrestle thru that? Thanks!!
I want to sit with it a bit before I sign. I am comfortable praying for those in government but not sure about endorsing...especially in light of the fact that a "democratic vote" sent Jesus to the cross.
Thanks to you and your co-authors for taking the time and care to think through and write this statement. I’ll be at the Faith and Democracy conference and look forward to hearing from you and talking with you.
I am not a believer or an American but for what it’s worth I think it is a splendid statement.
Thank you!
Thank you for the collaborative effort on the solid statement & timely conference—both open to the public for participation through signing & attending. (I noticed the option to play audio of this substack post; multiple modes are great.)
Signed, sealed, delivered.
I could have copied the whole thing. I’m Canadian. We need to hear this, too. Is this an American document? Well written. Thx.
Americans are our target audience but we certain had the global context in mind.
We all certainly are praying for the States - for sure!!!
It's interesting, and tragic, that people who would probably insist in their belief in the authority of scripture try to bend that scripture to justify rejecting showing neighborly love to immigrants. I wonder what Jesus would say to them.
Excellent statement, Kristin. I hope it received wide distribution and affirmation. One comment though: I’m not sure that the opening reference to and endorsement of the Declaration of Independence as providing a moral framework is wise. Too many Christians already believe it to be a Christian declaration, and indeed quote it as a defence of Christian nationalism. As we know, the religious spirit informing the Declaration is not Christianity but Enlightenment Deism. Might it be good to acknowledge that in the statement?
Just signed it
Excellent work. Just signed.
We're indebted to you, Defenders of Democracy. Your work here reminds me of this excerpt from Thomas Merton's Seven Storey Mountain: " ... had something to do with what was going on in the history of the world. For that was to be 1939, the year when the war that everybody had been fearing finally began to teach us with its inexorable logic that the dread of war is not enough. If you don't want the effect, DO SOMETHING TO REMOVE THE CAUSES. (caps mine) There is no use loving the cause and fearing the effect and being surprised when the effect inevitably follows the cause."
Thank you
I would love to sign this fine document but did not see any instructions on how to do it.
There is a link in the next to last paragraph of the post.
Bravo! But please help. The people I’d like to share this with get hung up on using the term democracy alone. The pledge of allegiance is “to the Republic” and to get technical aren’t we a democratic republic? Unfortunately they will turn off on this. How did the team wrestle thru that? Thanks!!
We did, and we are defending the democratic processes (democracy) that are vital to preserving our democratic constitutional republic.
I want to sit with it a bit before I sign. I am comfortable praying for those in government but not sure about endorsing...especially in light of the fact that a "democratic vote" sent Jesus to the cross.