In the last two weeks, the United States Supreme Court ruled that being gay or transgender is not grounds for being fired. Another ruling protects children of refugees and immigrants who were brought here as children with them and are not able to secure citizenship.
I have to say that my response was that the constitution was finally making the most godlike move possible. These cases direct us to recognize that people are different, which means we can not discriminate against them. Whether intentional or not, these rulings cast a laser light on the members of the Christian Church who hate. I read a letter from Donald Wildmon filled with passive curses about the Court. He raged about how this decision betrays them (his kind of Christian) and their vision of a theocracy.
If the God they proclaim is love, then we are closer to the divine than we have been in years. However, if their goal is a theocracy; then, society stands to lose much. We cannot afford to do it again!
And if that is the goal, what makes those who want to rule, believe they understand and know the mind of God. The vision of most theocracies throughout time has been brutal. They have been devoid of hope and intolerant of difference. The crusaders were unwilling to discover the wonders of medicine, astronomy, architecture, and physics to our significant loss. The Inquisition ravaged the lives of scientists and the unbelieving, leaving its imprint on any query, even today. Salem lost the knowledge of its wise women, and who would make those unholy decisions today. And what about the discoveries of our day, computers, cameras, food preparation, drugs that let life break-in, all coming from the outside.
When I hear the words that theocracy is a goal, I worry about allowing racism, sexism, homophobia, and not so subtle attitude of superiority(on either side) that seems to be the final result of that goal. We do not have time to sow seeds of hate. A theocracy in this nation or anywhere in this world will fail, from Alexandria to Iran, to this very hour, because we assume we know the mind of God. Are we ready as humans to lose it all for the ego of building a theocracy?
The two decisions call us to live together and show a path into more significant and healing relationships. Perhaps these quotes will stand us in good stead to help us all in finding that way:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. (John 13:34 – 35)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:16-20A)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Luke 10:27)
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3: 17)
and finally –
Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12A)
We should rejoice that our land is beginning to see the love and power of healing offered and given, as we come with open hands to our siblings, our parents, our cousins, regardless of faith, race, or any of the trials of Matthew 10:24 – 39.
Enter the new day with a kiss of peace. Journey well together!
