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Meditations with Matthew Fox
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Theocracy in America: An Historical Perspective |
Yesterday we considered the reality of theocracy going on today, both in Muslim Iran and in the Supreme Court and politics of current America. And intrinsic to theocracy there very often lies misogyny. Women are under fire
wherever patriarchy (and Empire) rule. |
One of the insights that David Korten has researched in his book The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community is the reality that theocracy has a
history in early America. Indeed, he underscores that it is | “Sen. Kristen Gillibrand: Abortion Bans Are Leading to a Rising Theocracy in the U.S.” NowThisNews. |
“crucial to understanding current U.S. politics” to recognize a legacy
that includes “extremes of theocracy” along with genocide, slavery, racism and sexism in US history. “Religious theocrats of a mind to flog, imprison, or hand all who did not share their particular faith” were part of the scene at the time of the
Revolutionary War that overthrew the English king. The official charter that established the first colony in Virginia in 1609 declared that one purpose of the colony was to convert the “people in those Parts unto the true Worship of
God and Christian Religion.” The Puritans, escaping Anglican persecution in Europe, |
“Christian Nationalism Appears Ascendant In GOP Politics” MSNBC‘s Ayman Mohyeldin interviews Harvard professor Lawrence Tribe. | ...came to North America in search of the freedom to establish a theocracy based on the teachings of John Calvin which meant using the authority of government to deny others the same religious freedom they had come to America to gain for themselves. |
Puritans settled Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, established Congregational churches there, and
mandated the Calvinist faith while banning the practice of any other. One influential preacher, John Cotton, preached that theocratic rule and not democracy was the will of God calling “Theocracy the best forme of government in the commonwealth, as well as in the church.” Religious liberty is understood as freedom from the “heresies of Anglicanism, Catholicism and all other deviant faiths.” |
Mary Dyer, a Quaker preacher, was exiled from Massachusetts twice and when she returned a third time was hanged along with three other Quakers for refusing to cease preaching their religion. For the Quakers, religious pluralism was part of their faith. | Author Eric Foner outlines the origin of religious freedom in the United States. Norton History. |
Today, there are actual
politicians in America taking us back to these pre-constitutional and theocratic times. There is also the Opus Dei driven Supreme Court and its enablers. |
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If you can't reach Matthew's video on the website, try his Vimeo channel HERE. |
*David Korten, The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, pp. 159-164. See Matthew Fox, “Opus Dei,” in Fox, The
Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved, pp. 106-124. And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society. Banner Image: The Quaker “Mary Dyer led to execution on Boston Common, 1 June 1660” Artist unknown. Wikimedia Commons. |
Queries for Contemplation What do you learn from being reminded that American democracy had to first shed American theocracy when the constitution was enacted? How does it shine light on today’s politics which also means, sad to say, today’s Supreme Court? |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, please click HERE
to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved The Pope’s War offers a provocative look at three decades of corruption in the Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic christianity. Matthew Fox
presents insights from his 12-year, up-close-and-personal battle with Ratzinger, tracing the historical roots of degradation in the Church and offering a new way to understand why Benedict XVI is now mired in crisis as Pope. Fox then outlines his vision for a new Catholicism-one that is not Vatican-based but truly universal, celebrating critical thinking, diversity, and justice. “This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope. | |
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new
theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better
vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the new Physics | |
See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE
Matthew Fox, Caroline Myss, and Andrew Harvey offer a 3-part series of solo online lectures on “The Power of Truth, Wisdom, Choice Part 2” through
the Sophia Institute in Charleston, SC. Wednesdays, September 21, 28, October 5, 3:00pm-4:30pm PT. Register HERE. Join Matthew Fox for the monthly online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, discussing Original Blessing. Thursday, October 20, 4:00pm-6:00pm PT. Register
HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox for the monthly Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, discussing Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality. Thursday, November 17,
4:00pm-6:00pm PT. Register HERE. Creation Spirituality in Conversation |
| Join
scholars Matthew Fox and Thomas G. Hermans-Webster for Progressive Christianity's monthly “Things that Matter” discussion on eco-spirituality: “The Intersection of Faith and Climate Justice.” |
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