“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Often called the “preamble” to the Declaration of Independence, this passage not just required reading when I was in school — we had to memorize and recite it. I’d encourage you this weekend — sometime between parade and burgers and fireworks — to look up and read the entirety of the Declaration itself. It isn’t very long, but it is quite the indictment of our current political situation. A good deal of the accusations against the king of Great Britain — which are the reasons given for independence! — are equally applicable against the current president:
“refused his Assent to Laws”
“forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance”
“called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable… for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures”
“obstructed the Administration of Justice”
“kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures”
“depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury”
“For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences”
These are just a few. It just seems to me that on a holiday that purports to celebrate what it means to be “an American,” it is important to remember what that actually means. Back in 1959 and reflecting on this same “preamble” to the Declaration of Independence, James Baldwin wrote: “The recovery of this standard demands of everyone who loves this country a hard look at [themself], for the greatest achievements must begin somewhere, and they always begin with the person.”
We’ve work to do. May God be our help.
Pastor Michael