MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023

 MONDAY, JULY 3, 2023 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

That is the last line of the Declaration of Independence.  

So, could you sign this?  Would you be willing to mutually pledge your life, your fortune and your honor in such an audacious activity as seceding from your mother country?

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It has been done - multiple times.

I’m thinking of the Waco confrontation of the Branch Davidians in 1993

“As a result of the 2 1/2-hour long gunfight, four ATF agents were killed; 20 ATF agents wounded from gunshots or shrapnel and eight agents suffered other injuries. A cease-fire followed and Koresh released 24 members from the compound. A 51-day stand-off ended when the Davidian Compound erupted in fire set by cult members, as law enforcement attempted to force them out by introducing tear gas into the building on April 19. The fire destroyed the compound, and more than 70 residents were killed.”

In effect wasn’t it Koresh and his followers saying that they pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor in what they viewed as freedom?

Yes, this group said, in effect: And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

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How about “Ruby Ridge”?

“Ruby Ridge, location of an incident in August 1992 in which Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents and U.S. marshals engaged in an 11-day standoff with self-proclaimed white separatist Randy Weaver, his family, and a friend named Kevin Harris in an isolated cabin in Boundary County, Idaho. Weaver’s wife, Vicki, his son, Sammy, and U.S. Marshal William Degan were killed during the siege.”

Again, a leader (Randy Weaver) professed some different beliefs than the United States government.  His group had pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor to each other.

This small group said: “With a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

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Authorities arrested 31 members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front near an Idaho pride event Saturday after they were found packed into the back of a U-Haul truck with riot gear.

Police found riot gear, one smoke grenade, shin guards and shields inside the van, White said. They wore arm patches and logos on their hats that identified them as members of Patriot Front, he said.

“Reclaim America” was written on the back of one shirt.

Hmmm, This group said: With a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

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There have been many protests over the years in the United States - and generally the people involved had pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor to the protest.

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Is Civil Disobedience permissible?  The American Colonies performed a major act of Civil Disobedience by declaring themselves free from Great Britain and the King.  

It seems that a group can protest - as long as it isn’t violent. But, it also seems that by being at least somewhat violent, a group can win more support from other protesters. 

Martyrdom is sometimes considered a noble act.  Many early Christians were martyrs because of their beliefs and went to their death because of their beliefs (and, in the long run, their martyrdom won out).  

We can’t all agree on much in this country.  Liberals protest (hate?) conservatives; Conservatives protest (hate?) liberals.  It seems like each side pushed to make their point.  Currently the pressure seems to be working on the conservative side of things - with stronger abortion laws, laws against LGBTQ people (with a special emphasis on transgender people). Recently the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down affirmative action in admission of students to colleges.  Diversity in higher education was largely negated.  (I wonder if such diversity might affect football teams - many of which have larger numbers of minority people.) <grin>   

I don’t know the answer.  The founders of our country pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the cause for independence - and backed that up with violence (aka - The Revolutionary War).  

For me, I pledge my life, fortune, and sacred honor to promote LOVE WINS - to promote a transformation of heart and mind, and to love one-another, love our neighbor, and to love our enemy, 

I realize that I can’t win (and will avoid going to jail) - in that this world has given its allegiance to God’s enemy.  But that won’t stop me from believing in love, and an infinite, loving Divine Being.

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

GOD IS LOVE

KAREN ANNE WHITE, JULY 3RD, 2023