<!-- content -->Critical race theory, including anti-racism and white fragility, is the new religion of the left. Its followers are “woke,” and to even question the theory is to commit heresy. Words are violence. Silence is violence.
Young people are “true believers” with a sense of purpose. Having a group identity of all variables involves a primacy that is contrary to the post-racist society that has been the nation’s goal for decades and, in turn, it does damage to the very problem it seeks to oppose.
Critical race theory teaches that every significant disparity in life between White and Black America, including crime, education, employment, etc., is only the result of White racism or systemic racism, and to question it or even think about it is to volunteer to be made out as another ignorant racist who doesn’t get it. This “advanced, higher reasoning” is the new faith, and people question the true elect in this religion at their peril. They may lose their job if they question its infallibility. In fact if someone does question it – that is a sign that they are not only ignorant, but guilty and racist.
It’s a foundation of moral ideas and impulses masquerading as knowledge.
It demands all of society be reprogrammed.
It’s the doctrine of a new religion. There is inequality, depending on whether the self-proclaimed prophets deem a person as oppressed or oppressor based solely on the color of their skin, and unlike other religions, there is no forgiveness, no grace and no redemption.
It’s pernicious and dangerous that they purport to possess actionable information by which other people should live their lives.
While it has the tenets of a religion, it rests in stark contrast to the Judeo-Christian religions and the principles on which the country was founded. In America, citizens are free to believe or not believe in God, but realize that many of the American freedoms, culture and prosperity they enjoy are a direct consequence of those ideas and philosophies.
Judeo-Christian principles call for the ideas of equality and liberty, separation of powers, basic laws that govern human behavior and checks and balances. It values debate and free speech to protect other freedoms. It values personal responsibility, charity and peace and the right to not believe in a religion.
It struck me recently that as I grew up, my Christian religion taught me that my problem was not primarily with others but was an inherent problem with me, as with all humanity. It wasn’t just racism, although racism would be one problem of many. I was taught “red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight,” and we are all made in the image of God.
I learned that the inherent consequence and proof of “sin” is why parents have to teach their children not to lie, cheat, steal or treat others badly. And, just like when someone breaks the law, there has to be restitution. That’s where Jesus dying in our place comes into play. Then there is forgiveness, liberation and freedom to serve and love others with the love we’ve been shown. In the Bible and New Testament, the foundation of Judeo-Christian thought is that people should love and treat others the way they want to be treated. They are to live their lives striving for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control – not power. If someone needs a coat, give him your shirt also. Take care of widows, the poor, people in prison, etc. And truth is to be sought after. It’s imperative.
Judeo-Christian teaching is not a White man’s teaching. It comes from the Jewish/Hebrew people of the Middle East. Again, believe in it or not, love it or hate it, it was the foundation of our country and the belief that everyone has inalienable rights given to them by God and not the government or a local group of any kind. People have the right to liberty and justice for everyone. It’s why after the Revolutionary War, which separated us from England and founded our new country in 1776, it was unconscionable for slavery to continue.
And while people are tearing down the statues of leaders they consider more morally deplorable than themselves, remember that history may not be kind to this generation either after people continue to be enlightened by science regarding many things including human development, abortion, the harmful chemicals and technology and diets imposed on our babies and families and sex trafficking. Are people really more moral today?
My Christian religious leader questioned, taught and reasoned with leaders in the temples. He broke the cultural, racist, patriarchal and sexist traditions of the time by treating women with respect, even prostitutes and Samaritans, which was not allowed. He gave attention to the outcasts. He healed the sick, dined with “sinners” and the most hated people in the culture. He railed against the religious leaders and called them “dead men’s bones in whitewashed tombs.” He chastised them for making money off the people. He was innocent. Rather than lording power over people, his example was to be a sacrifice.
So, contrast that with the young people who are learning that they have “moral authority.” Rather than looking inside themselves, the problem lies with literally everyone and every social construct and system outside them. They are taught the problem is with all those other people out there. They are victims and have to fight for power, subjugation, revolution and control. They have no control personally for their position in life. Everything is stacked against them, and rioting and burning down cities has become a “useful tool.”
What we need is more love, more understanding and more debate.
Julie Reeder can be reached by email at [email protected].
