Happy Warriors
Posted by Rebecca Teti in News on Monday, November 10, 2008 11:30 AM
Those of you pleased with the election results may not need this post, so feel free to skip down.
For the others, in light of the bereft tone of some of the comments on the last few political posts, I thought I’d offer a few links of consolation or at least courage.
First up: if you’re worried that President-Elect Obama and the incoming Congress are no angels: peace. Our Constitution was made for men, not angels.
Our Founding Fathers were clear-eyed in their understanding of human nature and designed our system not as a means to reach Utopia (in this respect their effort was the polar opposite of the aims of the French Revolution), but as a means to survive and even thrive when we the people make political misjudgments.
To learn more about that, try this essay from scholar David Forte, who argues that most of our presidents have been mediocre or worse, and yet the Republic stands.
Next: for those readers who’ve said they won’t unite behind President Obama or feel cynical about calls for national unity, here’s a thoughtful post from the conservative Powerline Blog.
It’s not necessary to share the author’s political leanings to recognize good advice. Substitute “Obama,” “liberal” and “Democrat” for any person or cause you think you are called to oppose, and there are some very good rules about how to think, argue and act politically without losing your perspective, your charity, your peace or your soul.
I particularly like this:
Pray that President Obama achieves greatness in office. Our overriding concern must always be the country we love, not the success of a party or an ideology.
Of course he means our overriding political concern, and of course opposing a harmful policy could be part of helping a president achieve success. The point is that if we love the common good, we want the President to succeed for the country’s sake—and that’s all it means to unite.
To this we can add a religious dimension: bear no ill will for anyone; if they don’t return the favor, so what? Aren’t we Christians? Isn’t that the cross? Read the whole piece, though.
Then there’s this interview my friend Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List gave about pro-life losses. Warning: it won’t exactly cheer you up—not at first. But Marjorie’s herself a happy warrior, and she describes the political reality:
We have suffered a set back, but we did not lose this ground on our own playing field. We lost on the economic playing field, starting September 15th when major economic institutions like Lehman Brothers started to fail. Folks started to lose ¼ value of their homes, retirements, and stock. This economic downturn was the turning point. The pro-life movement though is strong. Witness the fact that 1) Obama talked continually of seeking “common ground” and “reducing abortions” despite his promises otherwise (the Freedom of Choice Act) and 2) felt the need to run from his position on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. The pro-life movement will grow much stronger now. If the movement does its job, we can gain great ground in this climate. With our backs up against the wall because of FOCA, and all three branches of government under pro-abortion control, the movement will retrench, reorganize and re-energize as it did after Clinton came into office.
There’s a bright side: wherever there is crisis, there is also opportunity.
Next: if you won’t listen to me or these good folk, would you listen to Gandalf? Or Rocky Balboa? Over at our sister blog, Tom Hoopes found some video pep talks for pro-lifers.
Chins up, everyone! If you really believe innocent lives are at stake, there’s no time for feeling sorry for ourselves—it’s not about us, right? Make this the year you acquire a deep prayer life. Become holy so that you radiate Christ wherever you are, no matter what you’re doing: He’s irresistable, and he’s the key to conversion. Keep doing the pro-life work you’re doing. Think of ways to work for the culture of life even if FOCA passes. Commit yourself to a daily regimen of prayer and sacrifice for the cause of respect for life. Go sign that anti-FOCA petition Danielle mentions below if you haven’t.
Finally, I play my trump card and invoke an authority to whom you’re bound to listen. Recall that at the Last Supper Jesus presented the news that he was going to be seized and the disciples would all abandon him as a piece of good news.
I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
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