- The Witness of Whittaker Chambers
In the aftermath of the Massachusetts Senate victory for Republican Scott Brown, I thought it might be good to reflect a little on the approach we should have for political action.
One of my favorite historical figures is Whittaker Chambers, who became one of the most profound ex-Communists of his time [shortly after WWII]. Chambers had something to say in his masterpiece book entitled Witness that I believe has a direct bearing on what needs to happen today.
In discussing the many ex-Communists who were popping up all over the place back then, Chambers issued a word of caution on the proper way to “break” with the ideology. He says,
[Some] remained Communists for years, warmed by the light of its vision, firmly closing their eyes to the crimes and horrors inseparable from its practical politics. One day they have to face the facts. They are appalled at what they have abetted. They spend the rest of their days trying to explain, usually without great success, the dark clue to their complicity. As their understanding of Communism was incomplete and led them to a dead end, their understanding of breaking with it is incomplete and leads them to a dead end. . . . There is before these ex-Communists absolutely nothing. . . . For they have, in fact, broken not with the vision, but with the politics of the vision. . . .
Not grasping the source of the evil they sincerely hate, such ex-Communists in general make ineffectual witnesses against it. They are witnesses against something; they have ceased to be witnesses for anything.
Now, how does this apply today? In the presidential election of 2008, many voters decided to make a statement by voting for Barack Obama. That statement was “I’m against George Bush.” In the Massachusetts election, much the same occurred. Many voted against the trend they saw in government and reacted by putting the Republican into office.
Here’s the real issue: do these voters really know what they are for? It’s one thing to be against what you see happening [like the ex-Communists], but another thing entirely to have a vision that you positively promote. It’s easy to be against something—much harder to know what you stand for. My concern is that a lot of voters don’t really know what they believe. They simply react.
God calls us to be more than reactors. We must have a clear concept of truth and how it applies to the political realm. Then we need to actively promote the positive concepts rather than spend all our time criticizing the negative. Critique is part of the overall package, but it cannot be the centerpiece.
What do we really believe? As a nation, do we believe much of anything anymore that is connected to God’s truth? The next few elections may tell us. I’m hoping we still have some principles for which we will remain firm and committed.
THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION…what are…we for? This commentator is absolutely correct…do we really know what we are for…or have we become blind to our ideals by our thinking backwards? Well our thinking backwards gives us an idea of what we do not want, which if focused correctly will give us an idea of what we do want. Do not put much emphasis on behind, but rather in front. I pray that when you drive you’re looking forward and not in the mirror! It is unfortunate but the truth still remains…we will not find someone who we can agree completely with regarding our voting, but, we can find someone who has the same foundational beliefs, and that is a great starting point. I sought to be a better father, so I initiated psychological counseling to hone my abilities. Two things that have had a profound impact on me were…we have 100% freedom over the choices we make and 0% freedom over the consequences from those choices. Secondly, when molding character in a child, do not give much emphasis on the negative behavior, instill consequences, but rather give most emphasis on their positive behavior, with positive reinforcement. This builds high self-esteem and a positive outlook for them! The same holds true with us. Mr. Brown did not fall into the trap of negative publicity towards his opponent, he merely focused on his positive. Feed not the hungry beast and it will die! This election was not one of great moral victory…it was one of…”which is the lesser of two evils”. That is the truth! All elections are this! I agreed with Mr. Brown on more topics…actually all but one. I completely disagreed with Mrs. Coakley on all her points of view. I had an idea of what I wanted with my idea of what it was I didn’t want. But my choice is never…what I do not want, so therefore I choose the other. Who do I share the core beliefs with? Who is closest to me? Focus on positive and what you want! A point about the trials of post WWII. Anyone who was an idealist, one who didn’t agree with governmental policy…was considered a “communist”. Anyone who posed a threat to the secret agenda of subliminal control of the populace, was a communist! Ok…sure! Communist/communism…a word that choked the free thought of America. Oh my…communist? No way not me! Well maybe not, but you were not a conformist either! Nowadays the word is “extremist” left or right…it’s bad! Yea sure…ok! Tell the colonials that! This country was protected by “radical thinkers”. Ones who remained in the box based upon principles, but were outside the box of common practice in action. “Be ye not conformed of this world, but be ye steadfast in principles”! Amen.