Wartime prompts national introspection

In times of war people across this country delve deeply into their most cherished and strongly held beliefs. Sometimes these beliefs are just an extension of religious faith.

At least part of this personal and moral exploration is tied to the fact that young men and women die in distant lands and come home in flag-draped coffins.

However, I think it’s important to distinguish between two different but complementary types of faith.

The first faith is the one most people are already familiar with either by way of experience or by way of the intellect. Religious faith in America – for the most part – has been characterized by the dominant yet different Christian denominations. Despite the growth of Islam and other ‘minority’ faiths, people are still quite right to classify America as a “Christian nation.”

One should remember the profound historical trajectory of the United States. The origin of this country depended heavily on the Puritan desire for a new land, a land steeped in the language of the Good Book. For example, the Puritans brought their religious and political passion to North America while convinced that God Himself would help with the expansion and cultivation of the wilderness. Puritan writers often framed the movement in the language of an Exodus as if the biblical story were given new life. When thinking about the current political situation it doesn’t hurt to remember our origins.

A lot has already been written in the press about our current president and his almost “messianic” evangelical fervor. The pundits and commentators now realize that George Bush exemplifies something in the spirit of America or at least in the spirit of the electorate. In an ever-more complex and aggravating world Bush communicates a simple mission for America which at times sounds like a page lifted from the Old Testament. This is God’s country after all and people still believe, for the most part, that God is interested in the national shenanigans we get up to.

The second faith I want to highlight is a secular-driven but “religious” belief in the Power of the United States.

It is one thing to have conviction in the Gospel or the life of Jesus Christ but it is quite another to find peace or understanding beneath the Stars and Stripes. Yet as faithful Americans this is our pledge.

One scholar has noted that a “nation” is an “imagined community.” In this respect people of faith adhering to the principles of Christianity or to the principles of America are united by the “imaginary” bond of their kinship. This makes sense to us when thinking about the practicality of a Christian love because it is right to think of everybody as our neighbor however difficult this practice really becomes. What are the key concepts then behind our faith in the Republic?

Mark Danner has written at length about “the holy cause of freedom.” And for our purposes this “holy cause” is essential to the national faith. Danner’s writing emphasizes the correlation between Bush’s policy and his Christian religious conviction. Leaving the president’s fervor aside for the moment we are left searching for the hidden meanings in American “freedom.”

Everyone here believes they’re free. Yet they seem to struggle desperately for terms of agreement. The national, democratically elected government is “unobtrusive” in our lives. We are free to buy properties and live on them. (This is one of the key ingredients of a functional democracy!) The principle of a free press comes to mind – like the one I’m writing for – allowing me to speak my mind openly and without censure.

Our economy is also “free,” meaning the brightest among us can reap the bounty of an unfettered market. Interestingly, Americans believe fervently in the “opportunity” presented to all by a life lived in this proud country. This is one of the most striking ideas given the actual facts regarding poverty in the United States. (It goes along nicely with the belief that it’s your own fault if you suffer in poverty). These are just some of the popular notions we hold about “freedom.”

One further comment: with the belief in freedom comes the belief in justice. History books tell us that the United States has waged war on behalf of these immutable ideals. We continue this war now and our young dead are returning to us daily. They come home in flag-draped coffins. Pray that we know justice without vengeance and freedom without remorse.

Justin Maseychik is adjunct faculty in philosophy at Thomas College in Waterville. He lives in Waldo County and teaches courses on Buddhism and comparative religion and politics. He may be reached via maseychik@thomas.edu. Voices is a weekly commentary by Maine people who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.