THE WORST TYRANNIES HAVE BEEN ON THE PART OF MINORITIES
The Liberal Christian and the tyranny of the Christian nationalists
THE WORST TYRANNIES HAVE BEEN ON THE PART OF MINORITIES
Today I wish to focus upon the liberal religious community a bit,
How it’s been a long American tradition, often belied by other groups,
Everyone knows of the mass of fake Christians we must endure.
We know such people are a minority but they are not tyrannical,
Oh yes they mostly mind their own business and are mostly silent,
Regardless of beliefs understand the separation of church and state,
So we hear the blow hards who are Christian nationalistic fascists,
To the late Rev. Francis Bellamy he surely would have been alarmed.
The minorities he spoke of are today’s MAGA Christians,
Yet many think all Christians are like these obnoxious people,
Religious people are not necessarily spiritual people,
And there is extreme confusion between religion and spirituality,
Nothing is more ever present than this confusion,
Now it’s possible to be both spiritual and religious, but it’s rare,
Indeed these Christian nationalists are far removed from Christ,
Each of theses folks use the cover of Jesus’s name in their actions,
Somehow the twisting of religion to one’s particularities.
Hands working to tear apart our country are busy justified by religion,
And we are pretty much powerless to stop the insanity,
Very soon we will begin to see the results of such madness,
Every new day coming will show more perils materialize.
But there are still honest liberal Christians among our ranks,
Each of these folks keep their faith in their church not our government,
Evermore, they are true Americans who have understanding,
Now, today I’ll give a flavor of these people from our past history.
Only by following the separation of church and state will save us,
Nothing good has come of combining church and state in history.
Today I hope to illustrate some religious people who struggled,
How they tried in times which are still with us today,
Even though we look at the coming religious justified horror.
People who wish to practice their religion have models from the past,
And I hope to convey this a little through todays Substack,
Realize that true Christians must reclaim their faith actively,
To stand silently on the sidelines in the coming months is not an option.
Only active truths about of Jesus’s words need be shared,
For those who wish to live in their make believe Christianity, wake up.
Maybe we can actually read our Bibles again, for a start,
In using a search engine we can make our valid religious arguments,
Nothing should prevent us from destroying their religious arguments,
Of fighting fire with fire seems to me to be a good strategy,
Realize that some are already doing it effectively,
I intend not to stop doing it until forced not to; which I expect,
The voices of true Christians can be invaluable going forward,
In each true blasphemy we witness we must set the record straight,
Everyday going forward will only be more from their same playbook,
So these Christian terroristic soldiers will be emboldened even more.
“On the other hand it may with truth be said that the worst tyrannies have been on the part of minorities.”
— Reverend Francis Bellamy
Reverend Francis Julius Bellamy (1855 - 1931) was an American Baptist minister, author, and editor who is best known for writing the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag in 1892. Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in the magazine's Boston headquarters in August 1892. His goal was to instill a love of country and its founding principles in American youth. The pledge was adopted by Congress and has undergone several revisions. It remains deeply ingrained in American culture, recited by millions of Americans each day.
THE WORST TYRANNIES HAVE BEEN ON THE PART OF MINORITIES
I have downloaded the book American Christian Liberalism, by Leigh Schmitt and Sally Promy. I read part of it and found the following information with the use of it. I’ll continue to use it as a reference in finding other sources.
The Arena, Volume 4, No. 20, July, 1891
Author: Various
Editor: B. O. Flower
THE TYRANNY OF ALL THE PEOPLE.
BY REV. FRANCIS BELLAMY.
It might be fair to meet dogmatic pessimism with dogmatic optimism. Or, it would be legitimate to follow the logic to its end in a general abandoning of all the powers of government which, it seems, has only hurt when it tried to help humanity; to go back honestly to Jefferson, and beyond him, to
The very best government of all,
That which governs not at all. 1. This is the pandemonium of anarchy. Mr. Flower believes that there is not enough of the golden rule in society to-day to make socialism tolerable. But we have only to imagine our present society, with its current quantity of golden rule, thrown into the chaos where government has ceased to govern, where the political majority has lost all its power, but where the majority of brute strength awakes to find itself with no laws to molest or make it afraid.
But this doctrine of the inevitable despotism of the political majority lies so at the bottom of the whole impeachment, that it ought to be carefully examined in itself.
In the first place, both premises are without support. 2. Human nature, even in irresponsible multitudes, is not essentially tyrannical. Let us admit frankly all the degraded sweeps of intolerance in the past; yet has not human nature during recent generations been growing in the tolerant spirit? Look straight at the intelligent society around us; look within ourselves most of all, and let us ask if we see any such intolerance of spirit as would bloom into tyranny if we only had the chance. A man may prove to me by inductive data, reaching uninterruptedly over ten thousand years, that my own nature is intolerant; he may even corroborate his proof by pointing to my occasional acts of thoughtless disregard for another’s opinion, yet all this array does not overwhelm me, for I know I am not intolerant. 3. Our society to-day, as a whole, knows it is not intolerant;—even though it be proved as conclusively as ever Puritan divine proved God’s hatred for man, and man’s incapacity for a single good act. The logic works well; only there are some omitted factors. Human nature has made some progress. Hospitality to new ideas, and patience with divergent ones, are two of the surest fruits of later civilization.
4. Again, the majority have not always tyrannized in proportion to their power. They did not, in the Dutch Republic, when William of Orange followed the hideous persecutions of Phillip II. with the establishment of religious liberty. 5. The Church of England was in the majority when it abandoned its acts of tyranny. Congregationalism was still in the ascendancy when it ceased to banish Baptists and to whip Quakers. The Rhode Island Baptists had plenty of majority when they pioneered the empire of religious freedom in America. And the Maryland Roman Catholics had things their own way, when in an age of persecution they resolved to be hospitable to other beliefs. Indeed, in our American life especially, the generosity and long-suffering of majorities are among the most notable features. 6. On the other hand it may with truth be said that the worst tyrannies have been on the part of minorities. In the old world the oppressive minorities have usually been hereditary or ecclesiastical interests. In our country the ruling minorities have been determined, and self-assertive classes who would not brook the wisdom or the sense of justice of the majority. 7. It was the regnant minority which rushed the South into secession. It was that same minority which had for half a century before over-ridden the whole nation. It was the Tammany minority which ruled the Democracy. It is the minority of syndicates, corporations, and vested interests which crowned itself in our Billion Congress, and is spreading itself in our legislatures. Are the very occurrences, of which so much has been made exhibitions, of the tyranny of all the people; or, are they not rather, with one exception, 8. instances where a graceless minority has resolved either slyly or boldly to ignore the people? In short, the charge in the phrase “tyranny of the majority” has but the least justification in the course of government. There has been in history no power which has tyrannized less than the political majority. In modern times, at least, the most violent acts of despotic outrage have been the attempts to ride down the will of the political majority. “In the light of history, and in the face of the wrongs of the present,” to use the editor’s words, 9. it might be well to consider some means for the protection of majorities.
For after all, in spite of the English sneers at government by count of noses, from Carlyle and Sir Henry Maine to the latest utterances, 10. there is nothing so safe for humanity’s interests as the political majority. It is perfectly true that “the vanguard of human progress must ever be in the minority.” But the hope of this minority lies in one day becoming the majority. As Disraeli said, that is the minority’s business. 11. The minorities of hereditary privilege, of priesthood, of monied classes, can perpetuate themselves and their power. But the majority of voters is always changing and always losing its power. 12. The minority of radicals is always becoming the majority of conservatives,—the steadfast power to which progress has tied itself.
Is socialism necessary to the progress of the race? Will not a perfected fraternalism make the strong hand of socialism needless? Both questions are to be answered, yes. The perfect state is undoubtedly pictured in Rousseau’s ideal, where every man remains perfectly free, so that when he obeys the State he obeys only himself. This is the deep and eternal truth of the law of brotherhood, which is also the law of liberty. Love is the fulfilling of all law; 13. no laws will be needed when love is the protection of the weak. Belief in that coming government of Love is the real religion.
14. But the practical politics of the present deal with a society where a strong arm is needed to protect the weak from the tyranny of the giants. To talk about the principles of brotherhood fully prevailing in our present conditions, is 15. to treat the laws of Christ with flippancy. Nine-tenths of the maxims of our modern business system contradict the law of love. In our present environment it is impossible for business people or working people to obey the Sermon on the Mount and not starve. Perhaps a few sacrifices of this kind are needed to teach us how abhorrent the present selfish system is to the Christianity of Christ. 16. “I suppose I ought to be thankful to get the work at all, for they told other women they had no work left for them,” said a woman to me who was making men’s pantaloons for two dollars a dozen. She was part of the system; she was competing with other less fortunate women as truly as her employer with other firms; she drank her tea at the expense of her less lucky sister, who had no work and no tea. What chance does this system afford for perfect fraternalism, or even for decent fraternalism, among those who have to compete?
17. Socialism aims to produce an environment where not only the Golden Rule but the Law of Love will have a living chance. As such an agent it has its proper political place in the development of mankind.
Francis Julius Bellamy (May 18, 1855 – August 28, 1931) was an American Christian socialist* Baptist American minister and author. He is best known for writing the original version of the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892.
*Christian socialism is a religious an and political philosophy that blends Christianity and socialism, endorsing socialist economics on the basis of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.
Benjamin Orange Flower (October 19, 1858 – December 24, 1918), known most commonly by his initials "B.O.", was an American muckraking journalist of the Progressive era. Flower is best remembered as the editor of the liberal commentary magazine The Arena, published in Boston, New York City, and Trenton, New Jersey by the Arena Publishing Co. from 1889 until 1909.
1. This is the pandemonium of anarchy. Mr. Flower believes that there is not enough of the golden rule in society to-day to make socialism tolerable.
The Golden Rule is a principle in ethics that encourages people to treat others how they would want to be treated. It's also known as the ethics of reciprocity. The Golden Rule is a moral that has been used as a basis for society in many cultures and civilizations. It's often written as "treat others how you want to be treated" or "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
Flower expressed the state of the nation in 1891 to prevent the implication of socialism. The state in 2024 is not much better in my opinion, and democratic socialism, while working splendidly in Western Europe has the stain of years of propaganda in preventing its implementation in the United States. The Golden Rule in today’s America is largely ignored. Some may have difficulty in even understanding it as they have had their minds so polluted by propaganda.
2. Human nature, even in irresponsible multitudes, is not essentially tyrannical.
This is an observation from Bellamy which might tend to give us hope. Unfortunately the prevailing thinking and actions by the Trump Republicans can only be viewed as tyrannical. It is almost impossible to give a positive pass to “human nature” at this time.
3. Our society to-day, as a whole, knows it is not intolerant;—even though it be proved as conclusively as ever Puritan divine proved God’s hatred for man, and man’s incapacity for a single good act.
Again the question about America’s tolerance at this time is slightly questionable to me. The Puritan mindset might be the same of the modern Christian nationalist, I’m uncertain of this. Do they believe that God actually hates certain people? Most likely they do so perhaps the “Puritan divine” might still be alive and well.
4. Again, the majority have not always tyrannized in proportion to their power.
Okay, so Bellamy states that the majority have not tyrannized according to their power. I would say that the majority of those who still understand and believe in democracy are not capable of tyrannical actions. In some ways at this time this factor among the democracy loving people limits actions against Trump’s tyranny to our short term detriment.
5. The Church of England was in the majority when it abandoned its acts of tyranny.
So the idea of liberal Christianity might apply in this case. I’m uncertain however, this is an interesting data point in history.
6. On the other hand it may with truth be said that the worst tyrannies have been on the part of minorities. In the old world the oppressive minorities have usually been hereditary or ecclesiastical interests.
I would contend that hereditary and ecclesiastical interests are joined in many of the right wing billionaires (great minorities) from the new world. It would seem that things may haven’t changed.
7. It was the regnant [ruling] minority which rushed the South into secession. It was that same minority which had for half a century before over-ridden the whole nation.
The oligarchy of the old south were a tyrannical group. Their political ethos has been transferred into today’s Republican Party. Much of the old south are fully Republican today. They are only continuing on under a different name.
8. instances where a graceless minority has resolved either slyly or boldly to ignore the people? In short, the charge in the phrase “tyranny of the majority” has but the least justification in the course of government.
The Republican Party under everyone other than Trump acted slyly to largely ignore the people. The Republican Party under Trump only continues on the same path in a bold manner. I understand that the idea that the “tyranny of the majority” is mostly a falsehood. I guess I must confess that the justification question I can’t understand when dealing with the majority.
9. it might be well to consider some means for the protection of majorities.
In the coming months the protection of the majorities might become much more important. And the question of the means for this to be really up in the air.
10. there is nothing so safe for humanity’s interests as the political majority.
I do think that the non-Trump people are the majority in America. Perhaps this political majority is aiding in the nation’s stability and safety. But it is to be seen in time if this stability will hold us together.
11. The minorities of hereditary privilege, of priesthood, of monied classes, can perpetuate themselves and their power.
Yes I addressed this above. They continually perpetuate themselves and their power. We must realize these people are most of our problems.
12. The minority of radicals is always becoming the majority of conservatives,—the steadfast power to which progress has tied itself.
True in 1891. True in 2024 about radical/conservatives. I question if one might call it all progress however.
13. no laws will be needed when love is the protection of the weak. Belief in that coming government of Love is the real religion.
This has not become any more possible today in 2024 as it was in 1891. I can’t imagine not needing laws with human beings.
14. But the practical politics of the present deal with a society where a strong arm is needed to protect the weak from the tyranny of the giants.
True today as well. Needed in 2024 as in 1891. It might seem that with Project 2025 many protections will be eliminated. Practical politics today seem not enough in today’s situation. A third of the country are mostly suffering mental problems and live a life of irrationality, and practical guidance through politics will not be followed by them.
15. to treat the laws of Christ with flippancy. Nine-tenths of the maxims of our modern business system contradict the law of love.
Yes the nine tenth fraction in the business world probably still applies as a contradiction to the law of love. And the Christian nationalists only treat most laws of Christ with great flippancy. I suspect if I read this in two years I will realize that I was correct today.
16. “I suppose I ought to be thankful to get the work at all, for they told other women they had no work left for them,”
Sounds like today’s workers. Although Biden’s economy opened up many jobs I suspect that it will decrease in time.
17. Socialism aims to produce an environment where not only the Golden Rule but the Law of Love will have a living chance. As such an agent it has its proper political place in the development of mankind.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
Socialism in the form of democratic socialism might indeed might get the nation closer to the ideals of the laws above. But honestly I’m not sure if America is smart enough to ever try.
I found some information on liberal Christians, and might use the reference in other Substack writings in the future. I hope you found it worth your time.
I have put together another pseudo-sonnet. Perhaps it might bring a smile. If so that was all I intended it to do.
Of the Calm of the Biden Years
I tried to imply that liberal Christians do exist,
This might be on my part only of a great reach,
1891 seems a lot like 2024 to me, so here’s my speech,
Of Christianity, the MAGA folks only can twist,
Of our democracy, we only hope their arrows missed,
But we have quite a lot of time to only screech,
The cabinet of the parasitic billionaire, vertible leech,
Of the calm of the Biden years goodbye - kissed.
So what will it take for some real Christians to stand up,
I’m honestly doubtful that very many might,
Liberal Christians are lovers - not in it for a fight,
Ideally we could use much more courage by the cup,
I certainly am at a loss as what is truly up ahead,
And there hangs over me a heavy cloak of dread.
That’s all I have for you today. Liberal Christians please come out of the woodwork. I know you are there. We need you folks now. We needed you maybe ten years ago, but later sooner than never.
115th Post, December 13, 2024.