It's All about Independence!
Today is Independence Day. The date may be July 4, but the holiday celebrates independence, and it’s better to be reminded.
Have you read the Declaration of Independence recently? You should. Among other things, it will remind you that this nation was founded not only to win free of the tyranny of the British king but also to protect our “unalienable rights” of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The balance of the document provides a list of grievances, which are a telling reminder of what they sought and, perhaps, what we may have lost or, at least, forgotten.
How should we celebrate Independence Day? I have seen fireworks twice already. They reminded me of “the rockets red glare” from our national anthem, another good text to review from our second war with England (the War of 1812. Personally, I love the sights and sounds of fireworks, but they aren’t merely awesome for everyone. For those who have endured war or risked their lives to fight, they recall real explosions that represent frightful danger and death. As we celebrate our independence, we should pause to remember those who have fought, suffered injury, and died to purchase and preserve our liberty. As a soldier told me, last evening, most of those waiting to enjoy the spectacle have no idea what our freedom has really cost.
Not only that, but many Americans have lost sight of what real freedom is. Too many settle for the idea that no one can tell them what to do, even though that simplistic notion isn’t even true. Laws, government regulations, and taxes from every level of government control more and more of our lives. Many of us are willing to accept more such limitations on our liberty in exchange for the promise of the government’s care. Ignoring countless demonstrations of government’s inability to deliver, even at an ever-increasing cost, they consent to more limits, more rules, and less real freedom.
America’s greatness is build upon individual freedom. From the beginning, the intent was to free individuals to seek their own way, make a living, provide for a family, and enjoy the blessings of true freedom. The engine of democracy was all those Americans figuring things out, inventing, seeking better ways to do things, and proving that the American experiment in self-rule could work; and it did! The success rests in what free people can do, not in what their government can do for them. American liberty is about freedom of opportunity rather than assurance of some idealist outcome.
We are at war today to protect this ideal of freedom on two fronts. One is a hot war against Islamic radicals who murder indiscriminately in order to terrify their enemies into submission. People who prefer and enjoy freedom are their enemies. Ask the southern Sudanese farmers, people who were basically poor, uneducated, and apolitical. They were people content to raise their cattle and live the way their people have lived for generations. The northern Sudanese, Muslims of mixed Arab and African ancestry, regarded them as they do us, as good only for conversion, enslavement, or death. Without their consent, the government imposed Sharia law, which requires all citizens, including non-Muslims, to live by Islamic custom. Sharia law is strict, especially to Western sensibilities, and punishments are severe. However some may wish to believe it, Islam is not tolerant, it is not a religion of peace, and wishful thinking won’t keep us free!
The other front of the war for our freedom is a cold war, and it is a war we fight here at home. I find this war nearly as frightening, though in another way. Many of the southern Sudanese were Christians, and their fight was a fight for the freedom to worship. We fight for the same liberty here, but we have already lost so much. How have we become a nation where public expression of faith is virtually illegal, when that is precisely what people came to this continent to have? How does free speech work if anyone who is offended may squelch it, as atheists often do? Of course, it’s a one-way system, for no one cares when an atheist’s statements offend a Christian. It’s not only religious freedom at risk. All personal liberty is threatened by the increasing size and power of government and the agendas of many contrary-minded ideologies.
Fortunately, real freedom is not merely a thing of governments. Christian thinkers were able to write freedom into our historic documents because they learned about freedom in the Bible. God in Jesus Christ is the original author of freedom—freedom from sin, guilt, and justice for sin in his atoning death and freedom to live that comes from truth (John records his words: “If you abide by my words, you will know the truth and the truth will make you free”). This is better than freedom of religion; Christianity is freedom in religion, contrary to its opponents’ distortion.
So, I think our Independence Day celebration merits three observances. First, make it an annual practice to read the Declaration of Independence. From year to year, you might also consider looking at the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Sadly some would overlook or even hide this, so I recommend a site such as America's Survival Guide, which has this material available on their website, as well as the Constitution Society.
Second, before you enjoy your favorite fireworks, read or sing the entire national anthem and use it to bring to mind the price of freedom. Make sure that you and those with you remember that the spectacle is not just beautiful but represents every war, every soldier who fought, and every one who died to guarantee our independence.
Finally, commit yourself to exploring and understanding what the words liberty, freedom, and independence really mean, and then dedicate yourself to being the kind of citizen who not only enjoys freedom but works to "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity," that is, those who will come after us. That way, it will always be Independence Day and never just the Fourth of July.
(revised 02/21/19)
* * * * * *
On a less serious note: does anyone know why so many idiots come to watch a magnificent display of fireworks and then insist on setting off their own pitiful firecrackers? It’s bad enough dealing with them before and after the actual show and for weeks around the Fourth, but why during the display itself? All around me, last evening, I saw small rockets, heard firecrackers, and put up with clouds of smoke and distracting sparklers of various sizes, during the show! I confess to being a bit spoiled since I have had the privilege for several years of enjoying the show, up close and personal, with the families of the pyrotechnicians, safer near the big stuff than I felt among the crowds of thoughtless idiots. Last night, I kept thinking, “I hope none of those end up down my shirt or in my face!
Have you read the Declaration of Independence recently? You should. Among other things, it will remind you that this nation was founded not only to win free of the tyranny of the British king but also to protect our “unalienable rights” of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The balance of the document provides a list of grievances, which are a telling reminder of what they sought and, perhaps, what we may have lost or, at least, forgotten.
How should we celebrate Independence Day? I have seen fireworks twice already. They reminded me of “the rockets red glare” from our national anthem, another good text to review from our second war with England (the War of 1812. Personally, I love the sights and sounds of fireworks, but they aren’t merely awesome for everyone. For those who have endured war or risked their lives to fight, they recall real explosions that represent frightful danger and death. As we celebrate our independence, we should pause to remember those who have fought, suffered injury, and died to purchase and preserve our liberty. As a soldier told me, last evening, most of those waiting to enjoy the spectacle have no idea what our freedom has really cost.
Not only that, but many Americans have lost sight of what real freedom is. Too many settle for the idea that no one can tell them what to do, even though that simplistic notion isn’t even true. Laws, government regulations, and taxes from every level of government control more and more of our lives. Many of us are willing to accept more such limitations on our liberty in exchange for the promise of the government’s care. Ignoring countless demonstrations of government’s inability to deliver, even at an ever-increasing cost, they consent to more limits, more rules, and less real freedom.
America’s greatness is build upon individual freedom. From the beginning, the intent was to free individuals to seek their own way, make a living, provide for a family, and enjoy the blessings of true freedom. The engine of democracy was all those Americans figuring things out, inventing, seeking better ways to do things, and proving that the American experiment in self-rule could work; and it did! The success rests in what free people can do, not in what their government can do for them. American liberty is about freedom of opportunity rather than assurance of some idealist outcome.
We are at war today to protect this ideal of freedom on two fronts. One is a hot war against Islamic radicals who murder indiscriminately in order to terrify their enemies into submission. People who prefer and enjoy freedom are their enemies. Ask the southern Sudanese farmers, people who were basically poor, uneducated, and apolitical. They were people content to raise their cattle and live the way their people have lived for generations. The northern Sudanese, Muslims of mixed Arab and African ancestry, regarded them as they do us, as good only for conversion, enslavement, or death. Without their consent, the government imposed Sharia law, which requires all citizens, including non-Muslims, to live by Islamic custom. Sharia law is strict, especially to Western sensibilities, and punishments are severe. However some may wish to believe it, Islam is not tolerant, it is not a religion of peace, and wishful thinking won’t keep us free!
The other front of the war for our freedom is a cold war, and it is a war we fight here at home. I find this war nearly as frightening, though in another way. Many of the southern Sudanese were Christians, and their fight was a fight for the freedom to worship. We fight for the same liberty here, but we have already lost so much. How have we become a nation where public expression of faith is virtually illegal, when that is precisely what people came to this continent to have? How does free speech work if anyone who is offended may squelch it, as atheists often do? Of course, it’s a one-way system, for no one cares when an atheist’s statements offend a Christian. It’s not only religious freedom at risk. All personal liberty is threatened by the increasing size and power of government and the agendas of many contrary-minded ideologies.
Fortunately, real freedom is not merely a thing of governments. Christian thinkers were able to write freedom into our historic documents because they learned about freedom in the Bible. God in Jesus Christ is the original author of freedom—freedom from sin, guilt, and justice for sin in his atoning death and freedom to live that comes from truth (John records his words: “If you abide by my words, you will know the truth and the truth will make you free”). This is better than freedom of religion; Christianity is freedom in religion, contrary to its opponents’ distortion.
So, I think our Independence Day celebration merits three observances. First, make it an annual practice to read the Declaration of Independence. From year to year, you might also consider looking at the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Sadly some would overlook or even hide this, so I recommend a site such as America's Survival Guide, which has this material available on their website, as well as the Constitution Society.
Second, before you enjoy your favorite fireworks, read or sing the entire national anthem and use it to bring to mind the price of freedom. Make sure that you and those with you remember that the spectacle is not just beautiful but represents every war, every soldier who fought, and every one who died to guarantee our independence.
Finally, commit yourself to exploring and understanding what the words liberty, freedom, and independence really mean, and then dedicate yourself to being the kind of citizen who not only enjoys freedom but works to "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity," that is, those who will come after us. That way, it will always be Independence Day and never just the Fourth of July.
(revised 02/21/19)
* * * * * *
On a less serious note: does anyone know why so many idiots come to watch a magnificent display of fireworks and then insist on setting off their own pitiful firecrackers? It’s bad enough dealing with them before and after the actual show and for weeks around the Fourth, but why during the display itself? All around me, last evening, I saw small rockets, heard firecrackers, and put up with clouds of smoke and distracting sparklers of various sizes, during the show! I confess to being a bit spoiled since I have had the privilege for several years of enjoying the show, up close and personal, with the families of the pyrotechnicians, safer near the big stuff than I felt among the crowds of thoughtless idiots. Last night, I kept thinking, “I hope none of those end up down my shirt or in my face!
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