The explosive media coverage of the events in Arizona has served to illustrate two significant observations: (1.) The means by which a truly tragic event can be redirected, and (2.) the means by which the application of excess becomes an event unto itself and in so doing, enables the former. As yet, I have not yet resolved on the issue as to whether it is more the event itself this Nation should mourn or the manner in which a nation’s media and political process expresses the solemnity of the mourning process.
In my previous post, Bullets and Politics, I expressed my personal observations as to the senselessness of what took place and I reference this writing specifically in an effort to void the potential that one might consider the comment herein cold and impersonal; as to my personal thoughts, no such conjecture could be more removed. However, it is to the staging of the memorial service that my thoughts are specifically drawn.
Before going further, permit me to introduce a few strategic excerpts taken from Volume I of the Blind Vision Series: We Hold These Truths. The first is a quote from George Washington, the remaining are of my own effort:
“Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
“The actions of an individual matter immensely, particularly those which the system will tell you are “private” and not relevant to public conscience or discourse! However, as we all know, they are intensely relevant, more precisely, they are the very actions that matter most precisely because they occur when no one is watching and the tension of public scrutiny is completely absent! For goodness sake, does anyone really think that Richard Nixon’s actions would have been socially acceptable so long as no one knew the Watergate break-in had occurred? We might simply just accept one of many unchangeable laws of nature: The social fabric of our nation records the memory of our actions; there are many in brilliant color though far too often, the avoidable and sadly most lasting, are only stains!”
“To believe that in any human interaction one can suppress the personal bias of one’s moral compass – as if it were only a temptation of nature – and simultaneously hold to an antithetical point contrary to said moral compass is to suggest that one can stay dry in a storm by stepping between drops of rain.”
I draw on these three commentaries for a specific purpose; to draw attention to a personal observation which, taken from the events of the past week, I’ve discovered was not confined only to my personal inquiry though as it turns out, by many others as well.
It is clear that great effort has been applied to the excising from the public domain any/all religious references for the reason that they are somehow incompatible with civic duty and public exhibition. That somehow a nation’s political and social order is distinctly separate and a part from the forum which defines a noble, virtuous and moral compass; yes the ever present and ignoble prey of devout secularism. Accepting for this purpose then I believe these three specific excerpts observe quite well the point I intend to make. Such is my hope though with due reference to the same perhaps now is as good a time as any to re-read these selected texts and observe for yourself the acuity as to their relevance. I trust you will find them suitably poignant.
Now then with my preceding comments in mind, for those of you who listened to the memorial service, was it not rather peculiar to witness first hand so many public servants laboring to conspicuously reference biblical passages? Understanding that I am mindful that we are consistently told that we are not a “…Christian nation…” but instead only a “..nation of laws!” To be quite clear, I find the selective parsing of word and actions to be hypocritical at best, malignant and divisive in the extreme; this thought was on my mind when I wrote the third passage (above) as well as the last sentence of the opening paragraph of this offering.
Whether one shares my perspective or has their own is not the intent of this exercise but more so to illustrate a departure from one fundamental truth that is shared by the entire community of man; Faith Inseparable!
Faith is not a religion; it is in fact a deliberate action! Though it may be aided by the cannons of ones chosen religion, it is none-the-less the fundamental compass inalienable and inseparable from the cause of all mankind and expressed nowhere that I know of more profoundly than in this Nation’s own Declaration of Independence;
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Now then, if you will, re-read George Washington’s comments (above) with the awareness that the Declaration of Independence is an absolute expression of mans inseparable bond with “…their Creator.”. I trust one will gain a perspective that perhaps you may not have had and dare anyone to challenge the premise that this Nation and its People’s Ideals are not adorned by Faith Inseparable!
It is true, religious affiliation is not a membership requirement, but to believe that a moral compass is not required in the faithful expression of a Nations Ideals then I invite you to consider the tragic events that scar this nation’s history and not just the event in Tucson, Arizona!
Inseparable In Deed….
Curtis C. Greco, Founder
