For today: Enlightenment by Carol Wolman

Enlightenment by Carol Wolman

 

Enlightenment is painful.  When we see the truth, we see through the hypocrisy of the pious rulers, we see the horrible crimes that are being committed and the dangers that are mounting up.  We see the blindness of the Christians who support Bush, and marvel at it. 

 

We could sink into despair, easily.  But I am amazed at the spirit of resistance that is bubbling in all the usual places. 

 

Evidently Bush's priority right now is quelling the rebellion in Iraq, and he feels secure enough at home to ignore the boiling rage of so many voters, as the evidence of a rigged election keeps mounting.  The major media are keeping the lid on, the New York Times and the Washington Post having run editorials assuring us that Bush won fair and square. 

 

But Nader is demanding a recount in New Hampshire, and the Green and Libertarian candidates are doing the same in Ohio.  Kerry's lawyers are busily and quietly examining the voting procedures, but whether to gather material for a challenge or to pacify us, no one is sure. 

 

Meanwhile, Bush is in charge.  We all know that the Patriot Act is in effect, and our emails may be read at any time without our knowledge.  How quickly our liberties will be eroded from now on is anyone's guess, but the restraint of another election is gone. 

 

Some Marine tanklike things "got lost" and wandered into a peace protest on Veterans' Day, reminding us that posse comitatus, which forbids the military from getting involved in domestic police actions, can easily be suspended. 

 

I'm thankful that Bush stole the election by rigging machines rather than by a terrorist attack.  So far, so good.  And we still have some freedom, although TIPS, tanks, and other horrors are lurking in the background.  If anyone could be worse than Ashcroft, it's Gonzales.  Are we in for Abu Ghraib at home?

 

Enlightenment is not necessarily fun.  But we must keep our spirits up.  It helps to have faith in a loving and just God, despite all the effort to portray Him as vengeful and sadistic.  I believe that sanity and goodness will prevail, somehow, before it is too late.

 

If we are blind, if we shut our eyes to the gravity of our situation, we will not survive.  If we shut out God, if we lose faith in His love for us and His desire that we choose life, we will despair and give up, and we will not survive.

 

Jesus told the blind man, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."
He immediately received his sight
and followed Him, giving glory to God.

Luke 18: 42-43

http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/111504.htm

 

In the name of the Prince of Peace,   Carol Wolman