Election Fallout. Recapturing a Sense of Divine Providence

"Triumph of Divine Providence" by Pietro da Cortona

I've spent the last few years doing history research for writing projects. The three periods that I've dwelt on are first-century Israel, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War. The time periods are different, yet the stories of humanity, power, identity and faith have powerful common currents.

One of the most interesting things that I've realized is how our modern age has lost touch with the belief in Divine Providence and its utility in understanding the course of humanity. This lens that allowed common people and world leaders to keep a sense of historical perspective amidst turbulent world events has been all-but abandoned.

As described by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Theology, "Traditional theism holds that God is the creator of heaven and earth, and that all that occurs in the universe takes place under Divine Providence — that is, under God's sovereign guidance and control."

Historical figures utilized the theory of Divine Providence to help them understand the overall course of history and help guide their own actions in the midst of trying or tragic events. For example, Jewish historian Flavius Josephus explained how Emperor Caligula's assassination was an act of Divine Providence which prevented the desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Similarly, President George Washington relied on the theory of Divine Providence to provide support for the American Revolution. In a letter to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, Washington wrote, "The cause of our common country calls us both to an active and dangerous duty; Divine Providence, which wisely orders the affairs of men, will enable us to discharge it with fidelity and success."

It's probably too strong to say that we've lost our belief in Divine Providence when the sentence "All things happen for a reason" is repeated daily across the United States from people who range from just a little bit spiritual to deeply religious. However, it's difficult to keep that platitude in mind when trying to understand perplexing and vexing real world events. Yet, this is exactly when we need to rely on Divine Providence to help us keep the world in perspective so we can continue to do the good things that we are called to do.

In a short time, the United States will elect new President. Whoever is elected, a vast portion of the country will be some version of disgusted, saddened or disillusioned. You can give yourself a day or a week to grieve, but anything more than that is challenging the Divine and the Divine Plan. That President will somehow be used for good - even if that good is to stir up a movement in response to his or her actions. 

Saint Paul's called all Christians to trust in the reality of Divine Providence. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

That is not a call to fatalism, just the opposite. We are at a phase shift in history. The information revolution has connected over 3.5 billion people online. Our modes of communication, working, and governing are changing. These changes are making it more important than ever that each person to express their opinion and take action for the things they care about. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." That divine arc is real, but it relies on each of us to keep working to make our communities, our country, and our world a better place regardless of who is in the White House.

p.s. Go vote!

The Danger of Division Through Politics

NOTE: I'm as guilty of falling into this trap as everyone else. For all my attempts to avoid the dangers of identity in order to keep my temper under control, some part of me will always be the guy who jumped from a second-story balcony to a third-story balcony on Army-Navy weekend to confront two midshipmen that wouldn't stop bad mouthing West Point.


My two daughters watch Masha and Medved, a Russian cartoon, on Youtube. It's a cheap and easy way to introduce them to another language. More accurately, it's a way for me to feel better about cartoon time while the kids enjoy the universal humor of a toddler girl pestering a massive brown bear throughout the forest.

As regular as the dusk before the dawn, a creepy political ad always comes on before Masha and Medved. It's an incredible statement that our political system is so awash with cash that the advertisers are willing to dump money into changing the opinion of of toddlers who are Russian animation fans.

The ads always target Senator Jon Tester, a grain farmer from Northern Montana, who's represented our state for the last six years in Washington. A deep scary voice chants a list of alleged atrocities while terrifying pictures of Senator Tester slide and morph across the screen.

My girls always yell, "No, not this one again!" But the path to watching Marsha pester Medved winds through forests of political vitriol and hate. There's no fast-forward. Just more manufactured anger adjusted to reflect the latest polls.

The first time one of the advertisements came on, my oldest daughter recognized Senator Tester. I'd had a breakfast meeting with Senator Tester, Holly Petraeus and some other politicians about the challenges predatory lenders pose to military families. It was too early for a sitter so, I brought the girls.

Rectangular tables with white table clothes were laid out in a square pattern in the conference room. I sat on the far side of the square, directly across from Senator Tester. The girls ducked under the table beneath my feet, content to play with their coloring books and dolls.

Everything went well for the first fifteen minutes, but smiles and even a couple of light-hearted waves started appearing despite the somber tone of the conversation. The smiles and waves were directed at the table cloth by my feet. I lifted the table cloth up and bent down. Sure enough there were two little bodies underneath the tablecloth, but their heads were sticking out the other side - making faces at everyone in the room.

Fiona recognized Senator Tester from the ad, but she quickly phased out all the negative talk against him. Unfortunately, I don't know how many adults would do the same. In my job advocating for people with mental illness and their families, I don't have the luxury of listening to the partisan static. I have to get right down to the actual issues. I have to understand the good and the bad of both parties in order to get politicians within those parties to stand with our families.

In fact, the only bill that I've ever personally help draft for Congress was sponsored by both Senator Tester and his opponent Congressman Denny Rehberg. The divisive political ads would tell you that there's nothing they agree on. I know better.

The partisan fighting and ugly campaign tactics are bad for our country, but even more worrisome is they weight they carry on all the souls that buy into the fighting. Negative political ads stimulate fear and anger for the other politician and their supporters. If the campaign is successful, the fear and anger transform in hatred. The hatred behind that vote is a direct contradiction to Jesus's commandment that, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39.

The section of Leviticus that Jesus was quoting is even more on point. "You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Leviticus 19:17-18.

Based upon that teaching, political campaigns that stir up divisiveness and hatred are toxic to the human soul, regardless of the political party behind them.

In July of 1968, the late Catholic mystic Thomas Merton warned,  "One has to be pretty critical and independent about all ideas. And come to one's own conclusions on the basis of one's own frank experiences. Both the conservatives and the progressives seem to me to be full of the same kind of intolerance, arrogance, empty-headedness, and to be dominated by different kinds of conformism: in either case the dread of being left out of their reference group."

It's not that these issues aren't important. The powers wielded by our policymakers are critical - truly life and death. But the battle for power between interest groups leads to unnatural divisions and antagonism. A deep anger towards your neighbors based upon your interpretation of their views. You don't have to drink that Kool-Aid in order to exercise your responsibility to vote.

As you prepare to head for the polls. Forget about negative ads and political parties. Instead, think about the relationship between the power of government and the Divine.  "The way God acts in governing the world, which bears witness to such great regard for human freedom, should inspire the wisdom of those who govern human communities. They should behave as ministers of divine providence." Catholic Catechism, Section 1884.

Which candidate would behave as the better minister of divine providence. It's a challenging question that brings up several others:

• Which candidate will best protect children (both born and unborn)? 
• Which candidate will be care for our education system charged with helping our students make the most of their divine gifts?
• Which candidate will be protect our country without engaging in unnecessary wars?
• Which candidate will be the best steward for the planet and all that God's created?
• Which candidates will best protect families?
• Which candidate will best balance the interests of businesses and workers?
• Which candidate will best protect the needy, the sick and the disabled?
• Which candidate will keep our cities safe without unnecessary incarceration?

The answers are yours alone, based upon your education and experience. Don't outsource your decision to a political party or media personality; or let anyone else use the voting booth as a tool to insert hatred into your heart.