November 5, 2024
Unless there's some sort of miracle that happens overnight, it does not appear we prevailed. I am working to come to terms.
I pulled this summary from my Postmodern Theology final paper last May. My perspective has not changed.
I am not hopeful. I am resigned. I will Persevere. And life will go on.
###
May 6, 2024
In an article for the Political Theology Network titled, "The Problem of Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity, author David Gushee says:
“Political authoritarianism in established democracies involves weakening popular sovereignty, centralizing power, undercutting the rule of law, threatening fair elections, limiting freedom of speech, misusing state power to weaken political opposition, manipulating the criminal justice system, and eroding civil rights protections.”
Gushee accurately summarizes the political climate in America today. Regardless of who prevails in the next election, the ultra-conservative backlash against our treasured long-held democratic institutions will take years to unravel. We will be grappling with extreme political polarization well into the future. At this point, we’re way beyond damage control. Even with a Democrat in the Whitehouse, it will take decades to rebuild America’s trust in our government.
I never anticipated that American Democracy would hang in the balance during my lifetime. I pray, I hope, I no longer take my freedoms for granted. I am at a loss for words, I am at a loss for answers. I am learning to live with uncertainty. I am learning to let go of the things I thought would always be true about America. I’m learning to look at our extreme political polarization through a postmodern lens. I fight my tendency to think of the Left as all right and the Right as all wrong. But I’m telling you, it’s hard as hell. And incredibly painful.
In the words of my favorite postmodern author, Kurt Vonnegut, “So it goes.”