Disputed and Forbidden Words
by Elouise
“Boundaries”—
Demolished by DT & Friends
“Truth”—
It’s all relevant, right?
“Justice”–
Just for me and mine and those who support me
“Facts”—
What I wanted to see or think I saw, or what I wrote/read on Twitter
“Incitement to Riot”—
Who, me?
We’ve arrived at DT’s second Impeachment Trial
However, it isn’t only about DT
But about every Senator casting a vote
And, most importantly, about us
How did we arrive at this moment?
It isn’t as though we couldn’t see it coming
What sickness unto death infects our nation?
Denial comes to mind
We’ve become experts at our own forms of group denial.
We go along to get along. We feel helpless.
We look the other way. We roll our eyes.
We entertain gossip instead of hanging up the phone,
turning off the TV, or leaving the room.
Or we try to explain away what just happened
as though it weren’t important.
I’m as impacted by all this as the next person. Writing about it isn’t the same as taking a stand. Though I’ll admit it helps me focus.
Bottom line: We need more than Covid-19 vaccinations. I pray there’s still time to begin telling our national truth and seeking national justice for those we’ve harmed, ignored, or belittled. Plus those to whom we’ve cozied up because they had power we thought we needed or deserved.
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 8 February 2021
Photo found at ft.com
Telling the Truth 
Your post is inspiring me to action, but what action? If I’m at a loss who has a leaning toward social justice activism, how much more will others feel guilt without a path forward? I usually link the question of what to do with my race work and Parkway ministry. But what if God is calling me to say more? What if I need to match the Good News to political crimes against humanity? Will I do either justice? I feel like Moses declaring he was not fit for the kind of service God was calling him to. Maybe God’s answer to Moses is the same answer to me. To be continued.
Thank you, Elouise, for keeping it real.
Love you!
Marilyn . ________________________________
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Oh, Marilyn! I’m right there with you. I’ll probably be saying more, but I’m not yet sure what that will be. I’ve read a number of accounts about countries that had to deal with horrific injustice issues. Each is different. However, right now I think churches are at least one anchor-place for beginning to do this kind of work (not on a national scale). I’m thrilled to know our home church has signed onto becoming a reconciliation church. I’m even happier to know we’ll receive (with several other churches) help in what this will mean. I don’t see any quick answers. It seems President Biden and Vice-President Harris have the right ‘stuff’ to think about these things. Still, in the short-run, I see churches as a major component of whatever we can begin doing in our churches (with each other) and their contexts.
I like your comparison with Moses! His argument with God is quite pathetic, actually, and I’m happy to know God finally hooked him up with brother Aaron! Maybe things like that can happen with us as well–given the prerequisite that we care deeply. In Moses’s case, his caring was demonstrated when he slaughtered the Egyptian tormenting one of the Israelite slaves.
As you say, definitely to be continued!
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Dear Elouise, I have been concerned from this far away in Ballarat. We have been infected by the poison that has been peddled. I was thinking the other day and wrote this https://wp.me/p8PuzR-46Z
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Hi John. I just saw this, and will be over tomorrow to see what you said. Thanks for the heads up.
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I’ve never heard of a national truth or national justice. It actually sounds frightening – lol. We’re a nation of 350 million people. It would be hard to find a few hundred who might agree on either subject – and certainly not the few hundred people desperately fighting for more power in D.C.
As Christians, we live the Truth of Scripture: do to others what you want them to do to you and to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
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Matt,
I’m not sure I understand your comment. Are you saying you don’t think Christians should be concerned about truth and justice in the USA? It isn’t enough for us to seek truth and justice for ourselves or those we love. We’re to do this for the strangers within our gates, including those we’d rather not be seen with. This was the way Jesus of Nazareth approached it, and it’s the way he challenged those around him to live. Whatever we’re called to do, it doesn’t mean looking away or avoiding what’s happening right before our eyes.
As I said, I may not understand your comment. I do not, however, have any problem thinking about our need, as followers of Jesus of Nazareth, to pay attention to national issues that affect the lives of our friends, neighbors, and strangers.
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Absolutely Christians should be concerned about truth and justice – not just for one political party, but both, otherwise you mock the truth and are just a political cheerleader.
Of course Trump was wrong in his communication about the election being stolen. Just as democrats were wrong about the extent of Russian involvement in the 2016 election (Russians have been meddling in our elections for decades, the US likewise in Russian elections). Liberals rioted in DC. and other cities because of the democrats lying about the extent of Russian involvement and Trump’s supposed nefarious scheming with Russians. Both claims are laughably ridiculous, but the deceived political cheerleaders will believe anything they’re told by their political gods.
Neither Trump or democrats should face more than censure for their lies. I believe in free-speech, even if there’s tremendous evidence (as in both above cases) that lies were willingly being told in pursuit of political power and at the expense of Americans.
Americans, and especially Christians, have a responsibility to understand the truth and not allow the evil that is happening in D.C. to deceive them. It was easy for conservatives to accept the evidence that the Russian narrative was false, and it is easy for liberals to see that the stolen election narrative is a fraud. Why is that? We both know why.
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Hi, Matt.
I’m puzzled by your comment. Not the part about politics in the USA, but your comments about Christians. I don’t recall reading anywhere in Scripture that followers of Jesus of Nazareth “have a responsibility to understand the truth and not allow the evil that is happening in D.C. to deceive them.” We are human just like everyone else. You and I are as capable of being deceived as anyone else.
My True North isn’t my own sense of responsibility, but the example of Jesus of Nazareth for whom certain issues are at the top of the list. Care for the poor, the aged, widows (and widowers, I would add), strangers within our gates (for example) and even our perceived or real enemies. If issues related to these things aren’t addressed by those in leadership positions, we (as followers of Jesus) have a responsibility to speak up and speak out. It doesn’t matter which political party we just voted for or against, or who may be leading the nation at any given moment. Ironically, too many of our churches have become pulled into politics, sometimes as a way of getting what they want to see allowed or disallowed by law. In the meantime, human beings like and unlike you and me suffer, no matter which political party they may or may not care about.
Politics are real in every part of our lives, not just in “the government.” In addition, we’re called as human beings (like everyone else) to render to the government what is due, and to pray for our leaders. As for not being deceived, Christians are human just like anyone else. Which means we’re to listen and learn, confess our humanity, and make amends as needed.
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Now this post is one to make me shout, preach it sister, preach it. We spend so much time trying to seek how we got to where we are instead of seeking truth for here and now. It makes me so tired to even read or watch news anymore, its full of lies and power hungry new people and politicians. There voices are so loud and consistent and insistent. I want to just become a recluse and take care of my own and not get involve BUT thats exactly how a group of people get taken and then taken over. I want to learn to be loud with love, speak truth with grace and power. Great post.
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Oh yes! I relate to your desire to become a recluse, even though I know this isn’t the answer. So I’m in learning mode like everyone else. What does it mean to be human now, not back then? And what cost am I willing to pay in order to make a difference. Thank you kindly for your encouraging comment.
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Hi Elouise, Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply. I’ve been out earning my privilege for many long hours over the last several days.
I’m not sure I understand your comment. I’m deeply curious to further understand your understanding of a Christian’s relationship to the truth. I’ve always understood our Savior, to be the incarnation of Truth. I have my heart set on understanding the Truth. My experience is that the more intimate my relationship is to Truth, the more I desire the truth. Your blog: “Telling the Truth” suggests that you are interested in both cultivating the truth and hearing from others regarding their experience with truth. It seems to me one of the natural states of having a closer relationship with truth is learning to recognize and avoid deception. But perhaps my thinking is too simple?
My experience is that our national politicians have sold themselves over to an obsession to gain power and wealth, and they use their gifts of communication and charisma to cause division and discontentment. Their ambitions center on furthering their power, not addressing prevailing issues. Their core is deception.
What issues have politicians addressed besides lining their pockets and battling over cycles of power? Yes, they’ll occasionally cover terminal cancer with a band-aid and crow about the achievement for years…
We agree – I deeply believe Christians are commanded to “Care for the poor, the aged, widows (and widowers, I would add), strangers within our gates (for example) and even our perceived or real enemies.” In Jesus’ name.
However, I believe it’s a mockery to truth and my limited energy, to expect our national politicians to address our holy calling. Would I spend my energy expecting Nero to care for Christians? Why would I set my faith and spend my energy on the expectation that our national politicians will address this selfless Christian holy calling? I can’t think of a single point in history where politicians have taken on this holy calling. Yes, of course pray for them. I mostly pray that our nation will have protection from their deception and selfishness. I would expect, in almost all circumstances, a national politician would resign the moment our Lord opened their eyes to the truth. I’m foolish in many things, but wise enough to know my life would be ruined by possessing such power.
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Hi, Matt.
Thanks for this response. From my perspective, putting all preachers, all teachers, all men, all women, all anything in a boat together is troubling. Each of us has a history, a personality, a reason why we do what we do, and the right not to be judged from afar by people who don’t even know us. I think that’s a key to the way we view the world. Yes, you may not have had a great experience with national politicians (though you don’t describe that experience). Still, the net you cast is way too large to cover all of them.
If I were writing my own critique about us (here in the USA) today, I would start with churches, not with politicians. Whether churches get help from politicians or not is neither here nor there. Unfortunately, there are way too many political battles in churches. Especially (but not only) white Protestant churches, which have been my major church home all my life. Given your identity as a follower of Jesus, you might also (if you haven’t already) study the history of churches and of their involvement with social issues. Ask questions. Get curious. And think about giving up sweeping generalities about churches or politicians. The action is on the streets. In small towns and big cities. In homes and in schools.
This world is in agony right now. At the same time, we’re grateful for our humanity, and must learn to live with it in this world. When I can look a so-called ‘enemy’ in the eye, and see myself writ large in some way, I know I’m making progress. Otherwise, I could be setting myself up as a little goddess who thinks she knows everything. Or has a better outlook on things. Or has more ‘right’ to be correct than anyone else. Which would be nonsense.
Your comments suggest you’re a thinker! That’s great. Especially when the ‘thinker’ knows his/her first step is learning to listen before speaking. Especially when we think we already understand what’s going on. One person at a time. Not in sweeping generalities.
Your very last line speaks volumes. Knowing our limitations is super important. So what is it that you’re called to? Do you know a worthy politician (church or government) for whom you could pray?
Thanks again for your response.
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Hi Elouise – I do put all Christian preachers, all Christian teachers, all Christian men, all Christian women, free or slave, in the same boat concerning their relationship with Christ. I do so because this is a clear Biblical teaching. Western 21st century man-made divisions we obsess over simply don’t exist in Scripture.
Christ is a unifying Savior, irrespective of our lot in life. Those who make distinctions are judges and dividers, not unifiers.
For instance, “white privilege” is a 21st century Western cultural-political construct made by those currently in power. This is a divisive mantra because, as you say, “each of us has a history, a personality, a reason why we do what we do, and the right not to be judged from afar by people who don’t even know us.” With “white privilege” the implication is that privilege is based on skin pigmentation. This is a lie, tyrannical in nature, and evil, just for the reasons you yourself give. I don’t want to pick on just liberal politicians, because conservative politicians have their own brand of division that serves their own evil purposes as well.
The Bible is refreshingly honest concerning men and women of God experiencing moral failures. Every generation puffs themselves up as superior to prior generations, but we’re the same. Granted, with each passing generation we invent more ways to express and proliferate our evil. However, my 21st century US critique wouldn’t start with churches (white or black), politicians, American Indians, etc… Again, I believe this kind of thinking originates from those who seek to divide for evil purposes. We are simply a sinful people, regardless of our external differences, and regardless of how politicians and their cheerleaders try to build a sort of hierarchical scale of sympathy based on past patriarchical oppression or whatever is currently selling to the sheep.
The world is in agony and much of this is due to those in power dividing us over skin color, economic status, gender, religion, and whatever else they think will improve their political position.
My calling, like every Christian, regardless of skin color, occupation, gender, or skin color, (referring to my first paragraph), is to love God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind. And to love my neighbor as myself. One small way I do this is faithfully praying for our country’s protection from the schemes of those in power. They are corrupt to the core and evil both follows them and leads them. Their thirst for power does more to destroy the poor and weak in our country than any so-called privilege. I find it abhorrent that Christians have allowed themselves to be deceived and to have degraded themselves to be cheerleaders for these monsters.
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