PEACE HAS BECOME SIN 

“When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, that battle is your calling, and peace has become sin. You must at the price of dearest peace lay your conviction bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.” ~~ Abraham Kuyper

The teaching and instruction received in youth from one's elders linger in the recesses of the mind, and in future years influence thinking and decision making without conscious awareness.  This may be a good thing, especially if it maintains either ethical, honorable conduct, or intellectual integrity ["Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)]. 

But, what if the teaching was false, taught to indoctrinate rather than educate?  Intellectual and emotional growth requires a sorting of the conflicts and correspondent modification of both thinking and behavior.

This sorting has occupied much of my conscious thinking for many months, and, I now suspect my subconscious for untold years.  As I have pondered how to respond to the conflict rending our Nation over the past three years (longer, in reality, but forcibly - even violently - apparent since the presidential election of 2008), I have struggled with what I now recognize as imbedded false principles.  My capacity to reason has been severely affected.  My capacity to act or promote action has been equally impacted.  The false principles imparted in childhood by parents and religious authorities, were in turn reinforced into to adulthood and through mid-life (age 30 - 55) by religious authority (i.e.: organization); and, they were so deeply imbedded that I did not realize the influence they were having on my thinking.

One of those principles could be expressed this way: "all things are in God's hands, and because "god-chosen (called)" or "god-serving" humans are prospective members of His eternal "nation," they are prohibited from participation in any other nation's or any other government's activities or affairs - voting, holding governmental office, serving in the military are in direct conflict with God, as those actions would put personal human judgement (you and me) in conflict with His will."  Extended meaning is implied: "humans can have no affect on the affairs of nations or governments, as timing of all nation's events and subsequent consequences are determined by God."

A second principle can be stated like this: "Biblical prophecy reveals God's intentions for all nations - bad times indicate the immediate fulfillment of (some or all) prophecy, and, as we are now in bad times (since WWI - WWII - Gulf conflicts? - - -  high inflation - bad economy - social unrest?) the "end time" is near; so, hunker down, pray more, wait for salvation; but don't do anything else for that would only "interfere" with God's plan."

In short: "whatever you do in this life, save those actions essential to the preservation of life itself (employment, some social pleasures, and church promoted and approved activities), potentially places you in conflict with God; so don't concern yourself with human affairs, God's plan will take care of everything and you can essentially remove yourself from participation or responsibility in the affairs of the day (act like the proverbial Ostrich?) and live in a peaceful, semi-real world awaiting the "end of time."

In some form, at this very moment, these principles are accepted and embraced by millions of Christian believers.  The thoughts expressed here are not intended to denigrate any of those individuals, I have no doubt their beliefs are sincere and deeply and fervently held.  I held them for many years.

To me, the most frustrating and insidious element is that a part those principles is true: "all things" are indeed in God's hands - He made us, His purpose is being carried out, and ultimately everything will work out according to that purpose.  That is every Christian's hope and prayer: ["Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."  (Matthew 6: 9 - 10)]  Frustratingly, from that simple accurate understanding, much mischief is promoted and fostered upon sincere Christians who rely on the religious establishment to provide guidance and direction.  I was one of those, even while believing it not so.  Childhood teachings root deep and hide well.

For more than a year, since just before last year's election, I have been unable to focus my thoughts strictly enough to write, save some blog responses to others comments.  Some days I promoted enthusiastic participation in political affairs to encourage the restoration of constitutional government.  Other days I simply gave in to the pessimism of "nothing can be done to help anyway."  As I am by nature a problem solving individual with a strong conviction that perseverance answers many problems, my intellectual lethargy was debilitating, particularly as I could not understand its source.

A few days ago the quotation written above from Abraham Kuyper crossed my desk and something rolled over in my mind.  Reflecting once again on the need to fight for what is right with all one's energy stimulated a clarity of thought I had thought lost (though from this rambling prose that might be debatable).  Suppressed guilt surfaced, guilt over promoting and encouraging myself and others to fight against the adversaries of liberty in our nation.  Reflection brought to the surface the thoughts expressed previously herein, and I realized that while I had intellectually put away the Shibboleth of religious fundamentalism and intolerance, that deeply imbedded fear of placing myself in opposition to God persisted, causing confusion, apathy and lethargy.

Now I am free - I no longer accept that God commands us to completely refrain from participation in human governments!  That is a lie, taught by some men - often "religious" men, who like those who promote secular governments, want the power to control the lives (and usually the financial resources) of those they subordinate.  That religious control is no less tyranny than statist government.

If we participate in the establishment and maintenance of institutions, including national governments, that promote liberty, it is impossible to be in conflict with God.  He determined that all men live with the liberty, the freedom, to choose good or evil - a fact that is established in the Bible from the very first chapters.  He wants us to choose good, but He gave us the freedom - the liberty - to choose evil.

He purposely created us with free will, and out of love, provided us the guidance needed to make right choices.  He provided examples of both good decisions and bad, and the consequences of each, including examples of individuals who made bad choices, learned from them and subsequently changed their lives to focus on the good.  ["All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3: 16)].

 If this simple conclusion seems too obvious to you, if the expressions of my consternation regarding my intellectual passage appear simple, stupid or ignorant, I encourage patience and empathy, for there is a point.  A point that I believe is impacting thousands of American citizens as we strive to grasp the conflict now abroad in our land and attempt to determine what each of us should be doing to reconcile it and preserve our Nation's founding principles.

Since shortly before the 2010 election, I have read hundreds of articles and probably all or part of thousands of responses regarding, in one way or another, the preservation of America's founding principles and the restoration of a Constitutional Government (yes, I allude to the Tea Party movement, but also much more).  A Large number of comments indicate a recent awakening to the threat to liberty our nation now faces and five repeated expressions are evident: 

     1) Most of those concerned with restoring Constitutional Government have Christian/Judaic (Bible based) ethics and beliefs.

     2) A large number note how "late" they (we) have been in responding to the threat now perceived (they have played Ostrich - often expressing reasons similar to those I previously related).

     3) A corresponding number reflect the belief that God's help is essential to both protect and defend those desirous of restoring liberty, and to the ultimate achievement of that end.

     4) They desire to respond to the threat in a Godly (God favored - or with Godly character) manner (i.e.: not in the vengeful, violent, demogouging and divisive manner of those striving to increase statism and the restriction of liberty. ["Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him."  (Proverbs 26: 4)].

     5)  A large number express a concern about whether the events at hand are an indication of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and wonder if the "end time" is indeed at hand (many are convinced it is), often offering, more frequently implying the question: "is there anything we should or could do if that is the case? (in other words, would we be in conflict with God's intended purpose)."

The emotions aroused by the present circumstances are evident, with many expressing a commitment to action one day, followed by statements of abject defeat and futility the next.  I share those yo-yoing feelings.  What to do, what is right or wrong?  Can anything be done?  What difference can I make?  The authority of government is so pervasive, the problems so great, can there be any solution save God's direct intervention?  And, as the economic conditions continue to deteriorate and personal resources deplete, frustration and futility seem too often the prevalent perspective.