The attitude of arrogant superiority—in a word, supremacy—must be one of the most destructive forces known to humankind. History is rife with examples of those who, justified or not, saw fit to impose their point of view upon others. Jesus’ greatest flaw of character, from this perspective, was his humility. Fueled by an absolute, unquestioned conviction in the superiority of their own opinion, supremacists pursue their own agenda to the demise of anyone or anything that stands in their way.
As our families more keenly focus upon Rachel and Steve’s now imminent wedding, we rejoice in the fact that neither of them finds it necessary to lord it over the other. I want to think that it has been a similar spirit of equality that has sustained Mary’s and my marriage of thirty-five years and that is now being passed on to the next generation, but Mary would need to be afforded the opportunity to affirm this notion (which may be difficult for her given her inferior computer skills). As I read over the vows that Rachel and Steve have chosen to exchange, my heart was filled with the joy of learning that they truly see each other as equals.
Their worldview as a couple is going to be challenged by a society that promotes and rewards supremacy. Their prospective places of employment are likely to be filled with such a mentality. And God knows that it is the nationalistic mindset of the America in which they live. The arrogant belief in one’s own superiority has insidiously permeated even the most basic of interpersonal relationships, a fact of which I was reminded only yesterday and which prompted these thoughts. I cannot be optimistic about humankind’s future until I see a conscientious move away from the “us against them” discrimination that inevitably erupts from the evil attitude of supremacy.
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ReplyDelete“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
ReplyDeleteJohn 14:6
Are those the words of arrogance, or simply a fact? No moral relativism, no equivocating, no apology, just a simple statement of the way things are. We were given the Ten Commandments, not the “Ten Suggestions.” The Sermon on the Mount is the way to Eternal Life. That standard of acceptable behavior is as valid today, as when first pronounced two thousand years ago.
Our nation was founded by men who saw the value in adhering and promoting Judeo-Christian values. It was important to recognize the rights of the minority, but not at the expense of the majority. If it makes someone uncomfortable to see “in God we Trust” on a coin, or to hear the words “one nation under God” recited in the Pledge of Allegiance – get over it. A prophet once said, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 This was no idle comment, but a call to a nation to recognize the source of their moral strength and certitude.
When our fathers landed on the beaches of Normandy, they did so knowing that freedom was superior to Nazism, and that it was worth their very lives to protect that freedom, and to give it back to the oppressed. If the Sermon on the Mount had been delivered by Oprah, or included in a clever monologue by Jon Stewart, the ideals would be heralded as profound and life-changing, and no doubt recited in many classrooms and campuses. But alas, because they were spoken by the Son of God, they are not supposed to be part of the public discourse.
The Christians (so derided by Andrew Sullivan) pay taxes, vote, have pride in military service, volunteer and are, in short, the backbone of this country. When disasters hit the Gulf Coast, it was the “ordinary” citizens that opened up their homes, their wallets, and their hearts to the victims. They are concerned about the moral decay and celebration of narcissism in today’s society, and will be silent no more.
Edmund Burke said “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Though imperfect and flawed the effort, the effort must be made. Our silence can not be seen as acquiescence.