The new religion of being "woke"

Critical Race Theory (CRT), (including anti-racism and white fragility) is the new religion of the left. Its followers are "woke" and to even question it is to commit heresy. Words are violence. Silence is violence.

Young people are "true believers" with a sense of purpose. Group identity of all variables involves a primacy that is contrary to the post-racist society that has been our goal for decades and, in turn, it does damage to the very problem it seeks to oppose.

It 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 to be another ignorant racist who doesn't get it. This "advanced, higher reasoning" is the new faith and you question the true elect in this religion at your peril. You may lose your job if you question its infallibility. In fact if you do question it – that is a sign that you 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 you oppressed or oppressor based solely on the color of your skin and unlike other religions there is no forgiveness, no grace, no redemption.

It's pernicious and dangerous that they purport to possess actionable information by which you should live your life.

While it has the tenets of a religion, it’s in stark contrast to the Judeo-Christian religions and principles on which our country was founded. In America you are free to believe or not believe in God, but realize that many of the American freedoms, culture and prosperity we enjoy are a direct consequence of those ideas and philosophies.

Judeo-Christian principles call for the ideas of equality and liberty, the idea of separation of powers, the idea of basic laws that govern human behavior and the idea of checks and balances. We value debate and free speech to protect our other freedoms. We value personal responsibility, charity, and peace and the right to not believe in a religion.

It struck me recently that when I grew up, my Christian religion taught me that my problem was not primarily with others but an inherent problem with me, as with all humanity, and it wasn’t just racism, although racism would be one problem of many. We were taught "red and yellow, black and white all are precious in His sight" and we are all made in the image of God.

It was explained to me that the inherent consequence and proof of "sin" is why we have to teach our kids 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 we should love and treat others the way we want to be treated. We are to live our 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. We have the right to liberty and justice for all. It’s why after the Revolutionary War separating us from England and the founding our new country in 1776 that 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 our generation either after we continue to be enlightened by science regarding many things including human development, abortion, the harmful chemicals and technology and diets we impose on our babies and families and sex trafficking. Are we really more moral today?

Our Christian religious leader questioned, taught and reasoned with leaders in the temples. He broke the cultural, racist, patriarchal, 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 white washed tombs.” He chastised them for making money off of the people. He was innocent except for disobeying religious rules like not healing people on the Sabbath. 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 is a “useful tool."

Even Gandhi taught us to be the change we want to see in the world.

What we need is more love, more understanding, more debate.