Constitution Above Political Party

With all fairness, I come to you from a religious perspective though the topic of which I write is not a religious one per se. The Constitution of the United States of America is a divine document. Because great men worked together to formulate its rudimentary form before it was first ratified in the 18th century, it came with flaws. Those flaws do not preclude the divinity of origin.

The horror of the capacity of humanity, in general, does not preclude the divinity in humankind any more than the flaws in the Constitution do not negate the inspiration of the document, which, in its purest form, is the best type of founding premise upon which to base a nation of diverse religious beliefs, racial characteristics, and ethnic variety.

We have become a culture of absolutes, though we claim there is no absolute truth. Either something is one thing or it is not. Either a person is all good, or he or she is not.

Superficially, this all or nothing mentality makes logical sense until a greater study of a particular person or subject ensues. My goal is to express for the purpose of this article that the Constitution is-to-a sacred text (Bible, Quoran, Torah, etc...) as political parties are-to differing religions attempting to interpret what God means through such documents.

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We have become a culture of absolutes, though we claim there is no absolute truth. Either something is one thing or it is not. Either a person is all good, or he or she is not.

Culture of Absolutes

American society as viewed through the lenses that constitute modern media seems confused. Modern culture and philosophies as portrayed through all media is the standard by which all history receives judgment; therefore, history is evil regardless of the strides made up until this point in time.

American society has gone from a racial and religious hierarchy of castes heading toward freedom to a free society eating itself because it is free! The embarrassments of The United States of America in its infancy have been in review for at least the past 50 years as the Civil Rights Movement brought to light the injustices towards women, minority races, and minority religions.

The review has concluded, it seems, and all media has judged America. America is a nation of hypocrisy according to some--found wanting. The following quote describes the frame of mind in which many Americans exist at present given during an Independence Day address below.

I say it with a sad sense of disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me.

This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? If so, there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you, that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation (Babylon) whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath...

...of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrecoverable ruin.

Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions, whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are today rendered more intolerable by the jubilant shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day, "may my right hand forget her cunning, and may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!"

To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs and to chime in with the popular theme would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world. [1]

— Frederick Douglass

The sentiments Fredrick Douglas expressed in the above quotes would seem to fit into modern context, though it was delivered in Rochester, NY, in 1852! It would seem that in the mind of many, not much has changed since slavery because slavery ever existed. Not much has changed since the Civil Rights Movement because a need ever existed to enforce Constitutional rights.

Others would counter that because those in power saw that the God-sanctioned rights of the Constitution were not equally applied wars fought to enforce them with amendments to clarify justify a dismissal of the past because of the Civil war that ended slavery. Dismiss the reproach of women and other minorities because the Civil Rights Movement brought the dark side of American political culture to light, some advocate.

The media presents American society as one of polar extremes while many of those in the middle, which I assume represents the majority, speaks so quietly--their voices barely heard--because either end of the spectrum screams so loudly.

Polar Left: President George Washington owned slaves; therefore he is evil under every circumstance.

Spectral Middle: President George Washington owned slaves. It was accepted in his time. It does not negate the good he did for the nation but provides a tragic reminder of how far America had to go to get to today and beyond.

Polar Right: President George Washington owned slaves; nevertheless he is noble because he was able to lead a free society that eventually extended freedom to all people.

The US Political Bible: Constitution

Because it has ever been touched by the hands of flawed men, the Constitution has flaws within. In order to get the South to agree to ratification, the Northern states agreed to a compromise that stained the ratification of the Constitution until it was addressed during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln almost seventy years later. It is my estimation that both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln played the most vital roles in the continuation of the United States of America as a covenant nation of freedom.

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God, as understood by Christians, Jews, and Islamists is not listed in The US Constitution. There exists no explicit reference to Him. There is implicit reference to Him based on the language and custom of the time. Dave Miller in his 2008 article in Apologetics Press used reason to plead his view that the Constitution is a religious-based document. Wrote he,

...consider the wording of a sentence from Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution: “If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it....”

“Sundays excepted”? The government shuts down and does not transact business on Sunday? Why? If this provision had been made in respect of Jews, the Constitution would have read “Saturdays excepted.”

If provision had been made for Muslims, the Constitution would have read “Fridays excepted.” If the Founders had intended to encourage a day of inactivity for the government without regard to any one religion, they could have chosen Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Instead, the federal Constitution reads “Sundays excepted”—proving conclusively that America was Christian in its orientation and that the Framers themselves shared the Christian worldview and gave political recognition to and accommodation of that fact. ^[2]

Miller's purpose was to defend the Christianity of America, but that is not the focus of this article. America is still overwhelmingly Christian in its citizenry, Congress, and culture. Within the context of the birth of the nation, the Constitution was to prevent religious war between Christians sects.

Under the guidance of modern interpretation, the Constitution is the impetus to religious freedom of the American people and a standard to the world. The Constitution is the political Bible [or Quoran, or Torah] of the United States. It is the source to which people defer when disputes of political view occur. That document is imbued with power from God to referee religious associations in the nation.

Christian myself, my personal beliefs hinge on my particular religious views of the Constitution. In my faith, Jesus Christ Himself approved of and inspired the document according to leaders of my church and scriptures which are as authoritative as the Holy Bible.

Dallin H. Oaks mentioned in an article,

The United States Constitution was the first written constitution in the world. It has served Americans well, enhancing freedom and prosperity during the changed conditions of more than two hundred years. Frequently copied, it has become the United States’ most important export. After two centuries, every nation in the world except six have adopted written constitutions, and the U.S. Constitution was a model for all of them. No wonder modern revelation says that God established the U.S. Constitution and that it “should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.” ^[3]

As a former lawyer and modern witness of Jesus Christ of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ, Oaks testified that the Constitution is of divine origin. Because of the scriptures in which we believe as the words of Jesus Christ to the first prophet of the modern era with authority to speak for God, Joseph Smith, the Constitution is divine in origin because Jesus revealed: "for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood." [Doctrine and Covenants 101:80]

From my perspective, the Constitution is as divine in origin as anything that God has caused to be written by wise men that He has raised up to a purpose. With such a report from Jesus, it must reign in the United States as the founding document of all law, the first of its kind.

And again I [Jesus Christ] say unto you, those who have been scattered by their enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers and are in authority over you—according to the laws and Constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; that every man may act in doctrine and principle

— Doctrine and Covenants 101:76-78

Jesus revealed: "for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood." [Doctrine and Covenants 101:80]

The Religions, GOP and DNC

Political parties are warring over whose interpretation of the Constitution provides the best for the freedom and equal opportunity of Americans. When the nation first formed under the unity of freedom, George Washington sought to avoid political parties. He felt that avoiding factions in the government would best serve the security of the nation. Unfortunately, factions came. Presently, these factions, Democrats, and Republicans who make up the largest of the American political sects have proven President Washington's warning true.

Washington indicated unmistakably that he "wanted to be a president of all the American citizens. The most important reason was he believed unity, not division, was necessary for a democratic republic to survive. Washington believed that political parties would divide and destroy the young United States. ^[4]

First, the Democrats in recent history cried foul when President Donald Trump became president above his rival Hillary R. Clinton insomuch that impeachment plans preceded his inauguration! With no evidence.

Now, Republicans, with President Trump at the lead, claim that the 2020 election was a sham because he did not win the second term taking the issues to the highest courts of the land. With no evidence.

The Constitution supported President Trump's position in his first term. He won. The Democrats accepted that but sought to remove him by impeachment. The Constitution does not support Trump's claims now that he has lost the election. He would disenfranchise the entire nation, if he could, to stay in power.

As an American citizen, I am embarrassed at how petty we have become. Washington foretold in his farewell address to the nation as president that political parties "serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection." ^[4]

When religious sects take the focus away from worshiping God and stand themselves up as a light unto the world we tend to call them cults. What do we call political sects who take the focus from the Constitution and set themselves up as the political standard? I call it a slippery slope to civil war. Washington warned us.

The American God

Freedom is the deity worshipped by the United States of America. Christian faiths teach that God is freedom from sin through His Son Jesus. Another person finds freedom in the teachings of Buddha, who taught the ultimate end of human suffering through nirvana. Still, another finds the words of Muhammad from the Quoran as freedom to avoid envy and treat others with kindness. Yet, still, another sees freedom in the words of Moses in the Talmud to have a promised land to worship Jehovah.

Outside of religion, freedom is the holy cry of US citizens. Freedom to do as we please without infringing on the rights of others and think as we will. The only thing that helps us to understand the "god" of Freedom is the holy text of the Constitution. Above all else, the Constitution reigns supreme. As long as it is upheld, freedom will remain. If we seek to circumvent it in favor of our political sects, freedom disappears.

Supporting Sources

• Frederick Douglass Speech - The Hypocrisy of American [1]
  At The History Place - Part of our Great Speeches series.
• Apologetics Press - Christianity is in the Constitution [2]
  
• The Divinely Inspired Constitution [3]
  
• Political Parties; George Washington's Mount Vernon [4]
  In the long history of the United States, only one president, George Washington, did not represent a political party.
• 8 facts about religion and government in the United States | Pew Research Center
  The separation of church and state has come under scrutiny again after the Supreme Court sided with religious conservatives in several rulings.

• The Religion Clauses: Historical Background

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt1_1_1/

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

© 2020 Rodric Anthony Johnson

Comments

Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on December 02, 2020:

Pamela, your compliment makes me happy. I love this nation and the principles of freedom we've inherited from our founding fathers. I hope one day soon we can realize how sacred the responsibility it is for us to safeguard our God-given freedoms. I would hate to lose them in order to appreciate what we have.

Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on December 02, 2020:

Manatita, I just read one of your poems and must beg to differ with your comment. Your simplicity is not in your mind. It must be in your perspective on life if anything. There is nothing average about the way you express your writings. Thanks for reading and commenting, however. This article is a bit long-winded. I had more I wanted to write, but I forced myself to stop. Your compliments fill me with glee. I needed a pick-me-up after my manuscript was rejected. Thanks for providing that for me.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 02, 2020:

This is an excellent article, Rodric. I want freedom, and I want to be able to worship God as well. I love the constitution also. It is an amazing document. I think your article spells out everything in a wonderful way, Rodric.

manatita44 from london on December 02, 2020:

A lot here! I couldn't write an article like this. It would make my Heart heavy. Yet I mean well and I know you to be a very thorough and intelligent writer. You present your case brilliantly! I guess I'm just too simple, perhaps.

I pray to God daily to give me a child-like Heart, a serene mind and a divinized life. Much Love, my friend. Stay well and blessed.

Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on December 02, 2020:

John, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment about it. I am glad you like it.

Rodric Anthony Johnson (author) from Surprise, Arizona on December 02, 2020:

Bill, Thanks for reading and commenting. Do you have an article that covers some of the things you taught? As a teacher, you have insights that the rest of us may have missed. I would love to read some of your political leaning insights. I figured I would ask first before scouring your articles again as I did for the When the Corn Died series. I wish you would make that into a book.

John Hansen from Australia (Gondwana Land) on December 02, 2020:

What a wonderful article, Rodric. Thank you for writing and sharing this.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on December 02, 2020:

Your last statement is the most powerful and truthful. I love the Constitution. I taught Political Science for a number of years, and I believe it is one of the most brilliant writings in history. Now we all just have to learn to live by its words. :) Loved this!