How Do We Define Freedom?

  

If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy,  make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  

Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.  Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

 who, though he existed in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be grasped,

but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
     he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

Philippians 2: 1-8 NRSVue 

The Democratic National Convention has drawn to a close in Chicago. Phew. Why is it that in the United States the motto "nothing succeeds like excess" so often comes to mind? Hey, the choice by President Joe Biden to bow out of the upcoming election and the renewal of hope in the choice of Vice-President Kamala (Comma, la)  Harris does seem like divine intervention. And the Obamas and Oprah and even Hilary Clinton were impressive orators, in a way that not a single Republican could match. Harris and Tim Walz deported themselves as competent and sincere adults in the room who deserve to lead the country. But the endless parade of speeches and musical numbers often seemed more about spectacle than political gravitas. The first album I gave Ruth at age 19 was Stevie Wonder's Innervisions but the "Higher Ground" dance thing was just odd. 

I was intrigued by the constant references to "freedom" beginning with Beyonce and concluding with Kamala. This is often the Republican dog-whistle word, used with "you're not the boss of me" belligerence.  

I believe in freedom -- freedoms, actually. A number of them were mentioned this week, including freedom of reproductive choice and freedom to love without fear of reprisal or judgement. I certainly believe in freedom from oppression. I  definitely believe in freedom of religion, yet I often have the sense that for certain Christians this sanctifies a "me and Jesus" individualism which has contributed to the morass of American politics. 

The White Nationalism that has metastasized in the US is too often a blasphemous perversion of this brand of conservative Christianity. It shouldn't be lost on us here in Canada that the closing arguments in the trial of "Freedom Convoy" leaders are happening as we speak. Many of those selfish brats claimed to be Christians, even as they were intimidating people going to church and serving meals at a Christian ministry for the marginalized. 

All this freedom talk brought to mind the confessional hymn of the early church found in Paul's letter to the church in Philippi with the reminder that Jesus gave up power for the sake of a greater good. 

I am praying for the soul of America, in part for that country, but also because of the influence on the rest of the world.