Yesterday I made a contrast between post-Christian social justice activism--Wokeness--with the activism of the American civil rights movement that was steeped in Christianity.
In the 2024 US Presidential Election, the total “Electorate” (those legal & eligible to vote) was roughly around 244 Million people. Of that total, roughly 77 Million voted for Trump, and 75 Million for Harris. Looking at the simple math, 77 Million for Trump is roughly 31.5% of the 244 Million Electorate, and 75 Million for Harris is roughly 30.7% of the 244 Million Electorate.
So, here’s the basic problem – 31.5% is less than a 3rd of the total 2024 Voting Population and they are now in control and are setting the social, economic and political agenda for the US for the greater than 2/3rds of the rest of the Country that either voted against those policies or didn't even vote at all. 31.5% is not a Majority of anything, it is factually a 'Minority of the Electorate' and in one sense, that is not a "Democracy" by any definition where a small minority rules and sets the policies and agenda for the rest of the larger majority - the greater than 2/3rds of the rest of the people. Pathetically in 2024, 90 million American's didn't even participate, get to the voting machines or even check a box for anyone or anything.
I would say that currently in this country, voter apathy is inversely proportional to the post-Christian spiritual apathy you're describing. Even now, there are certain agendas being put into place to control voter participation and tabulation. The trouble is that Americans have had an increasing political & spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder) coupled with RSA (retrograde social amnesia) because they are too damn busy doom scrolling through the feculent landscape of social entertainment media. Those currently constructing a hegemonic/demonic lock on power, are counting on the three D's to facilitate their grotesque agenda - 'Distraction, Dislocation & Dissociation' of the top 1/3rd non-participants.
Richard, you may be on to something. But a challenge I witness is best characterized by the phrase, "poisoning the well." The total decrease in Christianity has reduced its voice, other than a protesting screech from those fearing the loss of their unearned social privileges. And what society may hear, or affiliate with the church, is the news of abuse, scandal, and Trump support.
At a recent 50501 rally at the state capital, one speaker began with, "I am a Christian pastor." There was a rumble in the crowd, a few boos. He went on to speak about Jesus in terms of the sermon on the mount and Mary's prophetic song in Luke. Then the crowd warned up a bit. It laid a groundwork for alliance.
While I agree with your overall point, we have to acknowledge the language of revival and of Christian faith has been poisoned. We, the church, have to acknowledge we are starting in this race far behind the starting line. That doesn't mean we abandon the race, but like the pastor speaking at the rally, we may need to be prepared for a chilly reception.
Addressing the challenges of our time requires a thorough grounding in the complex realities of the past, and also a spirit of curiosity about what is the same and what is different now.
Remember when George W Bush talked about compassionate conservatism? As an evangelical Christian at the time, I thought I was in a tribe of people who believed we were to help the ‘least of these’ and follow the teachings of Jesus. No more! Evangelicals in my community, including my Representative in Congress, believe showing compassion is weakness. Perhaps it was the same with White pastors in the time of MLK.
When was the church so faithful that God would have been pleased with its core? Even within the church today, there seem to be few that practice sacrificial giving at the level that was required via tithing and care for the poor in the first century. How many church members truly admit that they fall short of God's glory and yet embrace Him and are led by the Spirit?
“As I mentioned in the last post, there is little concern for the moral and spiritual aspects of social transformation. No connection to faith. No appeal to love.”
That simply not true. I’ve been in activist circles in and around Chicago for over a decade now. Ministers and churches are among the leaders in the movement here, and love is most definitely appealed to - particularly in the services and meetings that prepare people for the streets.
It’s all there, an appeal to transformed hearts *and* the insistence that’s not enough, that systems (“principalities and powers”) must also be transformed if real change is to happen. The fight for abolition is a key example of the intertwined appeals to change hearts and change systems.
Here’s the Big Problem –
In the 2024 US Presidential Election, the total “Electorate” (those legal & eligible to vote) was roughly around 244 Million people. Of that total, roughly 77 Million voted for Trump, and 75 Million for Harris. Looking at the simple math, 77 Million for Trump is roughly 31.5% of the 244 Million Electorate, and 75 Million for Harris is roughly 30.7% of the 244 Million Electorate.
So, here’s the basic problem – 31.5% is less than a 3rd of the total 2024 Voting Population and they are now in control and are setting the social, economic and political agenda for the US for the greater than 2/3rds of the rest of the Country that either voted against those policies or didn't even vote at all. 31.5% is not a Majority of anything, it is factually a 'Minority of the Electorate' and in one sense, that is not a "Democracy" by any definition where a small minority rules and sets the policies and agenda for the rest of the larger majority - the greater than 2/3rds of the rest of the people. Pathetically in 2024, 90 million American's didn't even participate, get to the voting machines or even check a box for anyone or anything.
I would say that currently in this country, voter apathy is inversely proportional to the post-Christian spiritual apathy you're describing. Even now, there are certain agendas being put into place to control voter participation and tabulation. The trouble is that Americans have had an increasing political & spiritual ADD (attention deficit disorder) coupled with RSA (retrograde social amnesia) because they are too damn busy doom scrolling through the feculent landscape of social entertainment media. Those currently constructing a hegemonic/demonic lock on power, are counting on the three D's to facilitate their grotesque agenda - 'Distraction, Dislocation & Dissociation' of the top 1/3rd non-participants.
Richard, you may be on to something. But a challenge I witness is best characterized by the phrase, "poisoning the well." The total decrease in Christianity has reduced its voice, other than a protesting screech from those fearing the loss of their unearned social privileges. And what society may hear, or affiliate with the church, is the news of abuse, scandal, and Trump support.
At a recent 50501 rally at the state capital, one speaker began with, "I am a Christian pastor." There was a rumble in the crowd, a few boos. He went on to speak about Jesus in terms of the sermon on the mount and Mary's prophetic song in Luke. Then the crowd warned up a bit. It laid a groundwork for alliance.
While I agree with your overall point, we have to acknowledge the language of revival and of Christian faith has been poisoned. We, the church, have to acknowledge we are starting in this race far behind the starting line. That doesn't mean we abandon the race, but like the pastor speaking at the rally, we may need to be prepared for a chilly reception.
Where's the music? Where is the revivalism? Where's the holding hands and singing? Well...
https://religionnews.com/2024/05/01/how-a-beloved-worship-song-became-the-theme-of-christian-nationalism-how-great-is-our-god-sean-feucht/
Addressing the challenges of our time requires a thorough grounding in the complex realities of the past, and also a spirit of curiosity about what is the same and what is different now.
https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/arts-culture/music-is-the-soul-of-the-movement/ I’m not sure of you are familiar with the current Poor People’s Campaign, but music is still central to the movement
Remember when George W Bush talked about compassionate conservatism? As an evangelical Christian at the time, I thought I was in a tribe of people who believed we were to help the ‘least of these’ and follow the teachings of Jesus. No more! Evangelicals in my community, including my Representative in Congress, believe showing compassion is weakness. Perhaps it was the same with White pastors in the time of MLK.
When was the church so faithful that God would have been pleased with its core? Even within the church today, there seem to be few that practice sacrificial giving at the level that was required via tithing and care for the poor in the first century. How many church members truly admit that they fall short of God's glory and yet embrace Him and are led by the Spirit?
“As I mentioned in the last post, there is little concern for the moral and spiritual aspects of social transformation. No connection to faith. No appeal to love.”
That simply not true. I’ve been in activist circles in and around Chicago for over a decade now. Ministers and churches are among the leaders in the movement here, and love is most definitely appealed to - particularly in the services and meetings that prepare people for the streets.
It’s all there, an appeal to transformed hearts *and* the insistence that’s not enough, that systems (“principalities and powers”) must also be transformed if real change is to happen. The fight for abolition is a key example of the intertwined appeals to change hearts and change systems.