For every mile
Photo Courtesy of Jim Burklo
"for every mile the feet go the heart goes nine"
One of my favorite lines from ee cummings, that lowest-case of poets. If ever there was a time to let go of writing in capital letters - especially writing tweets - this would be it.
That line neatly sums up the emotions of many of us in the run-up to the longest election in memory in America -- both in terms of subjective and objective time.
Because while we're waiting with literally bated breath for November 3, that is not the day when the outcome will be determined. Days or weeks are likely to pass before we know for certain. This alone indicts our absurdly antique electoral system. Even under the extraordinary circumstances of a pandemic, a swift and accurate count would be possible if the whole country adopted the simple, fair, and easily-accessible systems of Utah, Oregon, and California. When this mess is finally over, it will be a really good time to rally all Americans behind fundamental changes: eliminating the Electoral College, wiping out gerrymandering, ending voter suppression, allowing any voter to get an absentee ballot for any reason, and funding the Post Office as a public utility instead of pretending it is a for-profit business.
Within myself, I am noticing the very high volume of this election. And I'm not just talking about a certain candidate's decibel level. I'm talking about the inner, subjective volume of political narratives roaring through our minds and bodies. I need, we need, to prepare spiritually for the likely debacle ahead.
I've found that the Jesus Prayer is a powerful means of drowning out the noise of the election in my head: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me..." I sing it aloud, then in silence, as I take my daily bike ride and walk in the foothills. It works. I'm sure the mantras of other religions work just as well: "Sri Ram, jai Ram, jai jai Ram Om..." "Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhisvaha...."
As faith communities, we must prepare to do our part to defend democracy between now and January 20. There is nothing partisan about demanding that the fully-counted votes of citizens, and not partisan machinations, determine the outcome of the election. "Hold the Line" offers a clear plan of messaging and non-violent action to defend the vote: I suggest that all pastors read it and commend it to their parishioners. Faith in Public Life is offering workshops online for faith communities - on media/messaging, nonviolent civil action, and de-escalation. Our faith leaders' statement on election integrity is still gathering signers. Dust off your congregation's vinyl banner and get ready to march with it: to know when and where to take nonviolent action on the streets, join Indivisible: this organization, in coordination with others, is preparing to mount the largest demonstrations in the history of the country.
Progressive Christians have a very important role in this struggle. We are theists who oppose, for theological reasons, the theocracy that a minority is imposing on our country. We are a moral voice for election integrity. We hold up voting as a sacred expression of the dignity and worth of each citizen. We wave the American flag and we follow the Christian cross, but we make a clear distinction between the two. We don't want "Christian nationalists" running our country. We have the spiritual conviction to be forthright about our demands, and at the same time we are spiritually-centered peacemakers inspiring calm in volatile situations, modeling the kindness that we want to prevail in the policies and personalities of our government.
So let's be ready to mask-up and get out there in the public squares, the social media spheres, and all the other realms where this struggle must play out. In Zoom worship, in our virtual pulpits, let us preach boldly. Let us chant our prayers, publicly display our faith identities, and join our friends of all or no religions in defense of democracy....
The Rev. Jim Burklo serves as Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, University of Southern California. This post is republished with permission from the author's blog, Musings.