Despite the fact that life is now better than ever before, we have allowed ourselves to become convinced that the human race is on the brink of extinction unless our governments take over and do something now! With the Big Three (climate change, domestic gun violence, and terrorism) dominating every news cycle, fanning the flames of fear and outright panic, our insatiable thirst for security is driving us dangerously close to repeating some of the worst mistakes in human history.
We look back on Nazi Germany with disdain, convinced that could “never happen here”. Economic hardship and security threats would never cause us to let Big Brother invade our privacy and control our lives, let alone scapegoat a whole segment of our population! Or would we? Check the news again; what do you see?
Freedom of speech, freedom to worship as you wish – or not, freedom to defend one’s self, freedom to choose your own health plan – to drink a Big Gulp if you want. All of it, going up in smoke in wrong headed attempts to save us. Left or right, conservative or liberal, it really doesn’t matter anymore. Everyone is reaching for the long arm of the law to enforce their own version of moral righteousness.
As Americans, we have a very checkered history regarding freedom. Persecution of dissenters by the Puritans, slavery, Jim Crow, Japanese internment, McCarthyism; these represent just a few examples of our propensity for oppression. Have you ever heard of Blue Laws, laws governing what may or may not be done on Sunday? One of my great-grandfathers was jailed, and another drowned, for breaking them. So you can imagine why my blood boils a bit when I hear anyone, left of right, say that “Americans are too invested in freedom”. Not really, but we sure should be!
Ancient Israel had the same problem. Surrounded by hostile nations and in fear for their very survival (despite all the historical evidence to the contrary), the Israelites voted to “upgrade” their security and become a modern authoritarian kingdom. My friends, trading freedom for security never works. It didn’t work for Israel, hasn’t worked for us in the past, and it won’t work now.
Yes, climate change, domestic gun violence, and terrorism, they scare me too. But the only lasting answer lies in voluntary true heart change. Coercion never works, not for long. Gandhi knew this. Dr. King knew it. Jesus lived and preached it.
Do you want to be secure? Then commit to a life of freedom. Do not coerce others, and don’t submit to coercion yourself. Exercise your freedom by hardening your personal defenses and treating your resources with wisdom and respect. But know this, that in the end your only real security will lie in a life where the only rule is the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you would want to be treated were you to be in their shoes. Be known for your generosity. Listen to and seek to understand others, especially those you disagree with, before patiently explaining your own viewpoint. No one can impose this life on you, but you can choose it. You can Do Something Now!