E Pluribus Unum – fact or fiction? It’s a great slogan for the nation but does it really happen? Does it have true, credible and practical meaning? Is there evidence that it has worked so far? Should we ask the American Indian Tribal peoples in this regard? What if we could ask those who were brought to this country to be Slaves – what would they think or say? The people who streamed through Ellis Island to the shores of our nation – who journeyed far to find hope and realized potential – how would they respond? Those who passed by and observed The Statue of Liberty who might not have been able to read the Inscription on her base: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door." – did they find this to be true in their experience and acceptance into the Novus Ordo Seclorum (Latin for "New Order of the Ages") that appears on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States?
E Pluribus Unum - describes an action: Many uniting into one. An accurate translation of the motto is "Out of many, one", The motto was selected by Charles Thomson when he created the final Great Seal of the United States in 1782 and inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM on the scroll carried in the beak of the American bald eagle who carries the power of peace in his right talon. Diversity is a foundational part of the genesis of this nation – but – has it instead become a division of people and ethnic groups? Politically, there is discussion of the disparity between the classes – rich or middle class or poor. The idea of “class divides” and distinctions can be hideous. It views people as pawns – those who are vulnerable and who can be manipulated. Rather than make this type of distinction, would it not be more helpful to challenge people in terms of their potential and try to motivate them to be ambitious and creative and to move from one “class” to another? Is the concept of redistribution of wealth the best and only resolve to gain some sort of an artificial equality among all people groups?
So much of Political-Speak can be designated as Hogwash – that is – “refuse given to hogs; swill; any worthless stuff; meaningless or insincere talk, writing; nonsense; bunk.” The Word Origin and History states: “from hog + wash; originally "slops fed to pigs;" extended to "cheap liquor" (1712) then to "inferior writing" (1773).” In the process of Governmental Programs, are the poor more often than not still being viewed as those described in the Inscription on the Statue of Liberty – “The wretched refuse of your teeming shore…”? The Philosophy that suggests: “if you give a hungry man a fish, you will feed him for a day – if you teach him how to fish – you’ll feed him for a lifetime” – would this not be a better approach to facing and alleviating the vast disparity within our nation (and several other places in the world)?
From a religious viewpoint, how well does/has E Pluribus Unum worked? Is there unity among the Churches and Denominations? Is diversity of people groups a reality in the pews of this nation? Is there a valid community outreach to minister to some of “your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”? Or, is that just jargon and more Hogwash to which so many have been subjected – politically and religiously? For His followers and His Church, Jesus prayed – John 17:9-11 – “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” Has this worked? Is it working now? We read this same thought in Ephesians 4:1-3 – “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…” Is this working satisfactorily in and among the Churches, if so, where? The overall consideration – both politically and religiously in terms of functioning credibly toward people – If not now, when? If not here, where? Some is done by proxy through organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision – but isn’t it supposed to be personal rather than proxy? Consider these things with me!
E Pluribus Unum - describes an action: Many uniting into one. An accurate translation of the motto is "Out of many, one", The motto was selected by Charles Thomson when he created the final Great Seal of the United States in 1782 and inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM on the scroll carried in the beak of the American bald eagle who carries the power of peace in his right talon. Diversity is a foundational part of the genesis of this nation – but – has it instead become a division of people and ethnic groups? Politically, there is discussion of the disparity between the classes – rich or middle class or poor. The idea of “class divides” and distinctions can be hideous. It views people as pawns – those who are vulnerable and who can be manipulated. Rather than make this type of distinction, would it not be more helpful to challenge people in terms of their potential and try to motivate them to be ambitious and creative and to move from one “class” to another? Is the concept of redistribution of wealth the best and only resolve to gain some sort of an artificial equality among all people groups?
So much of Political-Speak can be designated as Hogwash – that is – “refuse given to hogs; swill; any worthless stuff; meaningless or insincere talk, writing; nonsense; bunk.” The Word Origin and History states: “from hog + wash; originally "slops fed to pigs;" extended to "cheap liquor" (1712) then to "inferior writing" (1773).” In the process of Governmental Programs, are the poor more often than not still being viewed as those described in the Inscription on the Statue of Liberty – “The wretched refuse of your teeming shore…”? The Philosophy that suggests: “if you give a hungry man a fish, you will feed him for a day – if you teach him how to fish – you’ll feed him for a lifetime” – would this not be a better approach to facing and alleviating the vast disparity within our nation (and several other places in the world)?
From a religious viewpoint, how well does/has E Pluribus Unum worked? Is there unity among the Churches and Denominations? Is diversity of people groups a reality in the pews of this nation? Is there a valid community outreach to minister to some of “your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”? Or, is that just jargon and more Hogwash to which so many have been subjected – politically and religiously? For His followers and His Church, Jesus prayed – John 17:9-11 – “I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” Has this worked? Is it working now? We read this same thought in Ephesians 4:1-3 – “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…” Is this working satisfactorily in and among the Churches, if so, where? The overall consideration – both politically and religiously in terms of functioning credibly toward people – If not now, when? If not here, where? Some is done by proxy through organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision – but isn’t it supposed to be personal rather than proxy? Consider these things with me!
1 comment:
"Becoming one", or becoming unified as a people, as a country, as a family, etc. is very important. I appreciate this post, as a devoted Christian. Plant and Garden Blog
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