Liberty and Justice for whom?

Content warning before you go any further: today's blog post deals with the topic of domestic abuse.

There's an old saying that 2 seemingly contradictory ideas can be true at the same time. And as a Lutheran, that's a principle woven into much of our theology: We are simultaneously sinners and saints, we live in the "now and not yet", we worship a Jesus who is both human and divine - you don't have to search very hard to find seemingly paradoxical ideas in our faith. But, of course, this idea isn't restricted to abstract spiritual ideas. Life is complex and the emotions that accompany us are also complex.

This past week, much of the country celebrated Independence Day - and not just Independence Day, but the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And since that time, the US has been through a laundry list of challenges - creating a system of government "Of the People, By the People, and For the People," dealing with the evil system of chattel slavery, disputes with indigenous peoples, the division of Civil War, the Civil Rights movement that fought for equity for the working class, women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. And while we have made some great strides, we are from living in a harmonious society. It's clear that this is one of the most divisive eras in American history. And instead of coming together to work for the benefit of everyone, our leaders are resolved to continue to stoke the petty fires of self-interest. If I'm being completely honest and vulnerable, I had a hard time feeling proud and patriotic this holiday. Don't get me wrong - I do love this country and the diverse collection of people and cultures present. What I don't love is our love affair with White Christian Nationalism, our growing distrust of people from other parts of the world, our obsession with consumerism, our refusal to recognize prejudice, and the tendency we have to care only for ourselves as individuals. Again, 2 things can be true at the same time - we can love our country and at the same time be critical of it.

Amidst the patriotic songs and hymns of the season, there is one that stuck with me this past week. In 1994, Country Western singer Martina McBride released her single "Independence Day" on her third studio album. It's arguably her most well known song. The lyrics recall the story of a daughter whose mother is being physically abused by her alcoholic father. To escape the violence of the home, she wanders down to the town fair on July 4th where she overhears the town folk gossiping about her parents and the abuse happening in the home. But no one does anything to stop what's happening. Later that day, the mother decides to burn down her home with herself and her husband trapped inside. The daughter is sent to live in a foster home and the mother finally finds "independence," if you can really call it that.

What makes this song all the more striking is the year it was released. In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act, the first of its kind legislation to address the epidemic of domestic physical and sexual abuse in the US. Prior to 1994, domestic violence and abuse was considered a "private matter" and largely ignored by law enforcement institutions. In the 1980's however, a grassroots movement advocated for victims and survivors of abuse, eventually succeeding in petitioning lawmakers to adopt a new law - ushering in greater accountability for law enforcement and greater resources for domestic abuse survivors. Since 1994, the VAWA has been renewed with additional protections for others affected by domestic violence and abuse - though, unfortunately, not without debate and criticism. Even with laws and protections in place, the prevalence of abuse is still a problem - every minute, an average of 24 people are victims of sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking in the US. That's over 12 million instances a year and includes more than just women (according to the National Domestic Abuse Hotline - https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/). The statistics are heartbreaking.

McBride's song has a meaning steeped in that feeling of 2 contradictory things being true at the same time. On one hand, it is ironic that they day the town is celebrating "liberty and justice for all," the mother and daughter who were caught in the system of abuse were held captive - by both the abuser and the uninvolved community. The liberation that they find is ultimately tragic.

As a person of faith, I struggle with that tension of finding hope and freedom in a world that so often wants to keep people under the control of others. As an American, I want to believe in a world where freedom and liberty exist - to live life free from violence, oppression, prejudice, and conformity. That is the hope that our country was built upon - the same hope and dream that many died to protect. And so, existing in this strange space has been especially challenging this week. Those who are called to the vocation of discipleship can never truly leave their faith outside their duty as citizens. For us, the Separation of Church and State is not an abandonment of the values and ideals that our faith instills in us. It is instead a check on those of any religion (or no religion) from imposing their control on others. And, Beloved, that's a reality check on us. You cannot force a relationship with anyone - including God. Relationships can only thrive when love - or at the very least, respect - are front and center. We may have Jesus as our Savior, a guiding ideal and a loving shepherd. But we are far from perfect, far from having all of the answers. Being "right" is not the goal. It is, instead to love others the way that God loves - to embrace the way of the cross and find the freedom of life.

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing

Let the whole world know that today

Is a day of reckoning

Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong

Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay

It's Independence Day

- Gretchen Peters and Martina McBride, Independence Day

Song: Independence Day

Listen here:

https://youtu.be/4VPpAZ9_qAw?si=UIBHga5NgsiDn9LE

-PT