I promised that I would not blog about all the negativity in our country and the world until I saw something optimistic. Fortunately, I am starting to see that ray of hope. Quietly, and sometimes noisily, people are planning ways to resist. Some are already demonstrating.
First, however, here are some absolutes:
- We cannot cave in to a sense of hopelessness and helplessness, resulting in lethargy. Lethargy gives Republicans license to implement Project 2025, which changes our democracy into a theocracy.
- The enemy is not Donald Trump. The enemy is Project 2025. He is simply the channel that will allow it to happen.
- Stay away from TV news, social media, newspapers, and journals as much as possible. For the most part, they are downers.
- Look for groups, even as few as three people, who want to talk about solutions rather than simply shouting “The sky is falling!”
- Educate yourself as much as possible about a variety of subjects.
The following is a small example of what can happen. A few weeks ago, I received an email from a progressive Unity Church-Unitarian pastor in Orange County (OC), California. She wondered if any other progressive OC pastors might be interested in discussing issues and solutions.
The result: Twelve OC clergy, male and female, young and old (me, at 93), met on Zoom and started discussing what we saw happening, some of the actions people are taking, and how we could work together most effectively.
The meeting was centered around educating ourselves and our congregations about the following subjects:
- Our Constitution and what it says about freedom of speech, the right to protest, our rights as protesters, the rights of undocumented people, and the separation of church and state. These subjects have to be crystal-clear in our own thinking because all of them can have different interpretations.
- Project 2025—the Republican playbook. The book is over 900 pages long, but summaries are available. Project 2025 is the enemy, wanting to remake the USA into a fundamentalist Christian theocracy with Trump as Supreme Leader. Scary?
- Christian nationalism, which is neither. It’s actually the ideology of a cult of people who are armed and physically ready and willing, even with violence, to implement Project 2025.
- The art of nonviolence and nonviolent demonstration. Our little group is most fortunate to have the pastor of a local congregation who is experienced in teaching and practicing this art. I sense that ongoing demonstrations are going to become a way of life.
At our next meeting, we’ll set dates to start teaching these subjects as we prepare ourselves to let Republicans know that Project 2025 is out and our Constitution still prevails.
I need you to imagine little movements like this springing up all over our country—because they are. Does that give you a new ray of hope?
Stay tuned! More positivity is coming our way.
PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness
Bil
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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of NASA/Paul E. Alers
My pessimism still exceeds your optimism. We’ve lived through many wars. We will survive through this one. This will have little impact on me, but I pray for those who were already suffering even before P2025 became a reality. The “nobody up there” God will prevail.