With Part Three of The Great American Divide, I offer my considerations regarding what “we the people” can do to restore our nation. 
To help us understand how we’ve come to suffer such hostility and division, I conclude this three-part blog with a focus on respect. Respect is an essential element in any civil society. When a society operates under disrespect, anything goes—there are no rules, no guidelines, and no order. Such definitely describes the current culture in America.
- Hate speech and crimes abound
- Order of law undermined by intentional corruption
- Disingenuous news reporting intended to undermine
- Unfounded slander and character assassinations
- Reprehensible behavior from people in positions of leadership and influence
- Disorderly assemblies of protest replete with personal and property damage
Comedian Kathy Griffin’s shockingly offensive stunt of showing a bloodied, severed replica of President Trump’s head and her rants after experiencing the backlash, reveals just how far from respect many in our nation have come. Additionally, the horrific tragedies and beheading many are actually suffering at the hands of terrorists in other parts of the world, makes Griffin’s display even more appalling.
We need upstanding men and women from all walks of life to join arm in arm, and stand up for what is good and honorable regardless of political affiliation. I’m a firm believer if a person is not part of the solution they are part of the problem. What kinds of action can we take to reestablish proper civil respect?
- Lay aside our differences
- Defer to others, accepting that your own view is not the only one
- Speak, write, and report the truth with responsibility for society
- Actively promote common good and social order
- Restore civic virtue where government, both sides, work together helping all the people
- Uphold the Constitution and the law
- Demand a return to unbiased journalistic standards
- Restore reverence for God of the Judeo-Christian faith
- Conduct ourselves in ways we want generations after us to model
We’re living in a time, not unlike the 18th century, where what’s touted as enlightenment is actually division that feeds entitlement. Quoting from the third book in my Faith to Live By series, Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart, just released:
In my lifetime in America, I have seen a major cultural shift from most people believing in the existence of God, and having respect for and acceptance of the Bible with its instructions for life, to the nearly complete rejection of all these truths and values.
How has our world become so radically changed? The changes started with deception and continue with deception. There has certainly been a mass ebb and flow of societal norms and cultures since the beginning of time. But I trace our current cultural condition to the extended period known as the Enlightenment. Beginning with the period known as the French Enlightenment (in the eighteenth century) with the emphasis on the primacy of human reason, the truth about God, about humanity, and about truth itself became corrupted. By emphasizing reason and logic from the human perspective, devoid of any “God” perspective, we have skewed a right understanding of truth, and as a result, vast numbers of people are living with deceptions. While the period of Enlightenment impacted many aspects of our culture, perhaps none has been more severely impacted than religious faith.
In my book, I offer more insight concerning how the period of enlightenment specifically gave rise to Protestant Liberalism which birthed the popular embrace of secular humanism. Today, we have a tremendous number of people drawing conclusions and making claims without a proper understanding of truth and history. Sadly, the result is the chaos we’re experiencing.
Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, a Christian or a believer in a different religious faith, we should be able to agree, as America’s Founding Fathers did, that the social values and cultural morals of the Judeo-Christian faith provide the best guide for civil society. Our Founding Fathers studied historic civilizations and made an informed conclusion that a republic style government, rather than a socialistic style, was the best choice to prevent governmental tyranny, accomplished by establishing a government for and by the people. The Declaration of Independence was penned based on the premises of the Bible for social order and the highest common good for all. I am grateful that our Forefathers, from a variety of religious backgrounds, had the wisdom to set aside their differences and collectively work to create a nation that is governed for and by the people promoting truth, justice, and the American way of respect for all people.
Now people, let’s get to work fulfilling our duty to restore America to a nation that demonstrates proper respect for the rule of law, the transition of power, and for one another.
Specific Action: If you’ve never contacted your elected representatives, written a letter to your local paper, called into a local radio station, or volunteered to speak at the local school or community center, now is the time to do so. Alternatively, consider writing a book, starting a focus group within your church or service organization, handing out pamphlets. There’s much we need to do to properly inform and guide people in the ways of truth. We still have a government that is for and by the people, so it is up to us to make the difference America needs. Pray and ask God what your role is in His imminent revival and reformation for America. To help equip you, consider getting a copy of Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart, written to help properly enlighten those who are deceived. Visit the web site to get promotion code for 15% discount.
I hope to read your comments to this three-part blog about the Great American Divide and your thoughts as to how we can build the bridge our nation so desperately needs.
Pamela Christian is a speaker, writer, and media personality. Her current book series is Faith to Live By, with the third book Revive Your Life! Rest for Your Anxious Heart endorsed by Bill Johnson, Senior Leader Bethel Church, Redding, CA; Dr. Richard Land, President, Southern Evangelical Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina, and; Dr. James W. Goll, Foudner of God Encounters Ministries, International Speaker, Best-Selling Author, among others.
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