Sunday Reflection

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the ethics of change. Now, as Trump ascends, I am grappling with the ethics of defeat. Despite my preference for a different candidate, this is a democracy that performed as it should. I feel that those of us who “lost” need to remember that fact and now act with respect towards the American Way and its people. This is especially true for those of us who found Trump’s morals, values, and style to be less than presidential. If we berated him for his behavior, then we need to act better than he did. For example, not using social media to intimidate, bully, and belittle people. When they go low, we go high. It is not only the ethical response, but a great way to honor Hillary and the Obamas.

Staging demonstrations, however, is a right of the American people. Standing up (literally) for our beliefs is what made America great. It is the lawful, legal, accepted method for being heard, and is far better than name-calling and bullying people we care about. As a young woman (a teen, really) I demonstrated against the Vietnam War and for civil rights. Demonstrating is our right, and I intend to reclaim that pastime in my retirement years, beginning with the Million Woman March, Jan 21, 2017. . I have picked my issues and am ready to do what I can, armed again with the non-violent ethic of MLK.

I also believe that we should not flee to other countries. Although I admit that I entertained the thought of bugging out, I now see this as the sore loser way out. Pick up your toys and go home kind of loser. If we are invested in our democracy, then we need to stay put and carry on, working towards the next election and the causes we find important. We are Americans, not just Democrats or Republicans. The ideals of a democracy demand participation.

Furthermore, we need to stop letting the “winners” needle us. I call this staying off the “hook”. Buddhists have a story about three fish who swim around a hook disguised by yummy, stinky bait. Only one of the fish “takes the bait” and disappears into the fisherman’s boat. The other two swim away and live to a ripe old age.The point, of course, is when bullies attack us  we must avoid taking the bait of evil even though it may be disguised as something delicious.  We have bitten enough during this election. The press, on both sides, presented bait to us every day, and we all got hooked. The worst of the worst: Brietbart vs. Huffington Post. The country would be well served to send both to Siberia.

For a Christian viewpoint on “taking the bait”, I refer you to the “Screwtape Letters”, by C.S. Lewis.

I am not advocating complacency in the face of defeat. I simply want us to NOT fall into the moral stew where Trump lives. Yes, I will support  any effort to bring good change that serves our democratic ideals. I will not consistently trash Trump in my writings and daily conversations. However, I will employ the First Amendment and the tools of goodness to fight any evil that could evolve from a Trump presidency.

I wrote earlier about participating in our Democracy, including demonstrating. In church settings, I have preached often about living our values in the world. Participating and living your values are parallel thoughts.We must reflect them in our everyday lives. Act on them. Stand on them. Hold them to our hearts and be the change we want to see in the world (Gandhi).

My new motto is “Seek to understand then be understood”.  I would love someone to help me understand why. I do not want to hear, “well I always vote Republican” or “I didn’t like Hillary so I voted for Trump.” I want to hear why and how people were attracted to Trump. Really.  Most of my friends who voted for him are hesitant to talk about it, to share their perspective. Thankfully, my son and daughter-in-law will help a great deal when I eventually get home.

The ethics of defeat, in my book, are simple:letting democracy run its course as a full participant, acting on our values/living our faith in the world, seeking to understand, and living Michelle Obama’s most important legacy “When they go low, we go high”.  Armed with these principles, we can forge ahead.

A different, but related topic:

People have wondered about my earlier post, in which I declared that I plan to boycott most churches. Why? What!? You are a minister!

The evangelical, right-wing church (Falwell, Robertson, and all the others) is growing and powerful in this country. They control many minds. They gave Trump a get out of hell free card. Now I don’t believe that anyone is going to burn in the fires of hell, but the evangelicals do. If they want to support someone they might otherwise condemn to hell, they invoke the “forgiveness card” and the “he found Jesus now” card. That was then, but he is forgiven now, without any evidence of redemption.

More specifically, evangelical leaders made a show of talking to Trump about Christ so they could assuage their conscience while supporting someone who never has followed the teachings of Jesus.  Yet, they “forgot” certain biblical texts, the ones that proclaim a renewed, cleansed person is known by their “fruits”. That means: current behaviors, not empty words of faith, are the evidence of a renewed person. I didn’t see many any current behaviors that suggested redemption. This could happen, of course but Trump declared publicly that he does not believe in redemption. It could happen, that Trump is humbled by the awesomeness of his responsibility to the people and God actually does move in his heart. Nothing would make me happier but I am not expecting to see the fruits of renewal ripening in the near future.

Furthermore, Falwell stated on TV about Trump’s past, “We are not electing a minister. We are electing a president” Wow!!! If our president is not informed by ethics and values what the heck is going on? All past presidents, even those I did not support (Regan, the 2 Bushes) were informed by a faith of some kind. My kind of faith? No. Perfect people? No. But they believed in something bigger than themselves and deserved forgiveness for their mistakes.

Again, Christianity as used by the evangelicals in this election: We like his politics so let’s find a way to spin his behavior. In the meantime, the email server mess is beyond forgiveness even though Hillary is a lifelong Methodist.

Enter in the dramatic side of the  female perspective. Many of us got this message: men are just men and can get away lies/cheating and sexual misconduct. Women cannot make any mistakes. Those women on the streets protesting and those at home crying? Many are reliving sexual abuse memories and are horrified that our PRESIDENT is one of the abusers. Add in this: the mainstream Christian Church forgives him without any evidence of real redemption. Some women even said that they feel violated all over again. I get that. If you are one of them, feel free to email me: [email protected]. We can set up a time to talk, or just send me your thoughts. I will keep them confidential. It is great therapy to write it all out, and I will not judge or try to change your feelings.

copyright: Rev. Jane Willis, 2016