It is quite evident that America is a very divided country today, possibly the most divided that we have been since the Civil War, almost two centuries ago. The question is ‘Why are we so divided at this particular time?’ There are many reasons, but I want to give you what I believe is the main reason.
The main reason why we are politically divided as a country, especially in Washington DC, is the inability to accept the results of a democratically held election in 2016. Born in Israel, Daniel Greenfield, an investigative journalist, and writer focusing on the radical left and Islamic terrorism wrote this about the civil war in our country. “How do civil wars happen? Two or more sides disagree on who runs the country. And they can’t settle the question through elections because they don’t even agree that elections are how you decide who’s in charge. That is the basic issue here. Who decides who runs the country? When you hate each other but accepted the election results, you have a country. When you stop accepting the election results, you have a countdown to a civil war (heartland.org).”
What has happened in Washington and around the country has been an attempt to discredit the 2016 election results and to oppose President Trump in every possible way. This has resulted in:
- The accusations about Russians influence on the election results and that Trump was working with the Russians.
- The appointment of the Special Counsel to investigate possible collusion with Russia by the Trump campaign, that found no such evidence. Even so, there are those who refuse to accept Mueller’s conclusions and seek to extend the process with additional investigations.
- People point out the Hillary Clinton received more of the popular vote and deserved to be president, not Trump. So there is now the proposal to change the electoral system, a system that was put in place to protect smaller states from being dominated by the larger states.
- The battle over the election of Brett Kavanagh to the Supreme Court. As Judge Andrew Napolitana pointed out on Fox and Friends, “Elections have consequences and President Trump’s nominating the type of ‘traditional’ justice he promised during his campaign. Again the unwillingness to accept the results of a democratic election and consequently, the consequences that flow from it.”
For example, one time President Jimmy Carter said this about President Trump, “There is no doubt that the Russians did interfere in the election. And I think the interference, though not yet quantified if fully investigated, would show that Trump didn’t actually win the election in 2016. He lost the election and he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf (msn.com).” He considers President Trump to be an illegitimate president
David Greenfield went on to point out, “The Democrats have rejected our system of government. This isn’t dissent. It’s not disagreement. You can hate the other party. You can think they’re the worst thing that ever happened to the country. But then you work harder to win the next election. When you consistently reject the result of elections that you don’t win, what you want is a dictatorship. Your very own dictatorship (heartland.org).”
DEMOCRACY
Consider for a moment what makes a democracy. Harvey Cox has been the Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard. He has a liberal background and is the author of the influential book ‘The Secular City.’ In a more recent book, ‘The Future of Faith’ he had some insightful thoughts about democracy and what makes it work. “There is an emerging consensus today on what it takes to make democracy work. First, there needs to be contending parties with different political projects, and regular free elections in which the losers turn over power to the winners. This condition, however, is the bare minimum, and by itself scarcely produces democracy. Second, democracy requires what Jefferson called “an informed and active populace,” that is free to participate in policy deliberations and takes the time to do so. A populace that is informed but not active, or active but not informed, will not suffice (to say nothing of a populace that is neither). Third, democracy necessitates a society in which the human and civil rights of all its people are legally guaranteed and actively enforced. Some writers have suggested that a fourth requirement for democracy is a market economy, but others doubt it.”
Notice the words concerning ‘free elections’ in which ‘the losers turn over power to the winners.’ That concept has not been embraced by left-wing politicians and most of the mainstream media, even though Hillary Clinton stated,“It is a direct threat to democracy if we don’t accept the election results.”
OTHER ISSUES DIVIDING AMERICA
Ideologically Divided – There are fundamental philosophical and political differences between people today. In the political scene, on one side, we have those who hold to a free market capitalist system, and on the other side, we have people who want a more socialist system.
Morally Divided – There are significant moral issues that divide us, including abortion. On the one hand, you have states like New York, who make abortion legal right up to the moment of delivery and then, on the other hand, you have states like Alabama and Georgia who have put major restrictions on abortion.
Sexually Divided – Society is divided here too, with those who support gay issues, etc. and those who do not. Then there are the questions of gender issues, especially the matter of transgender. Should, for example, a biological male who identifies as a female be allowed access to women’s locker room or compete in women’s athletic events.
Religious Freedom Divides – The question of religious freedom has become a major dividing issue. Some believe this is one of the major issues facing religious people today, as seen in the cases that have even gone to the Supreme Court. Others believe that religious freedom should be subjected to civil rights.
Racial Divisions – Some people emphasize racism in America and others who don’t believe it is so. Accusations of racism have become a political tool. There is no doubt that our history is filled with racial division.
Economic Divisions – The vast differences in the economic situations of people today has brought forth many proposals, including a wealth tax, repayment of college loans, as well as other issues related to welfare.
Age Divisions – Then there are the differences between the generations. The baby boomers are getting older. The greatest generation is dying off, and the millennials are going to the forefront, as seen in the new policies of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Generations have different values and ways of life.
Gender Division – The issues related to male and female, questions about equal pay and the glass ceiling that has kept women down. The place of women in management and politics, etc.
Demographic Division – America is no longer predominately white. Immigration, both legal and illegal, has changed the landscape. For example, in California, 40% of the population is now Hispanic. The old European basis of the population is gone; we are no longer a melting pot; we are now made up of a diverse variety of subcultures. We have diversity but not unity.
Educational Division – What should be taught at school and what should be left to parents, especially in the area of sex education, where children can be indoctrinated at a young age to accept what was once considered an alternative lifestyle.
Climate Change Division – Although presented as universally accepted, the concept of climate change is not embraced by everyone, both in theory and practical application.
Media Bias – There is a division between the mainstream media (CNN, MSN, BBC, ABC, CBS NBC, etc.) and conservative news outlets, especially Fox Cable Network. Social media has also contributed to the division and the advent of fake news. And so we could go on and on.
NOW, ALL THIS DIVISION LEADS TO . . . . THE DANGER OF A CIVIL WAR
In more recent times, Rick Joyner of Morningstar Ministries, has written about what he calls ‘the coming second American Revolutionary/Civil War.’ He considers it inevitable that we will see this happen in our country, yet at the same time, he brings exhortation as to how to prepare for such an event. “It is essential that we do all that we do in faith and are not led by fear. We will grow in faith if we obey the Lord’s three instructions for facing the troubles at the end of the age, which I will continue to repeat. They are: 1) stand up, 2) look up, and 3) rejoice. Those who have true faith in the Lord will stand for Him and His truth regardless of the cost. We have this faith by seeing Him and where He sits above all rule, authority, and dominion. If we see Him, we cannot help but rejoice because we know of the victorious conclusion to all things. All of this trouble is evidence that our redemption is near (morningstarministries.org).”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
We are a divided country and every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation (Matthew 12:25). The main cause of division (leaving aside spiritual factors which is another message) is the unwillingness of people to accept the results of a democratically held election. In the midst of all this, let us remember that God is still on the throne and let us continue to pray for America and 2020 Election.
RESOURCES
https://www.heartland.org/news-opinion/news/is-america-in-the-midst-of-another-civil-war
Cox, Harvey The Future of Faith HarperOne; Reprint edition (October 5, 2010)
Kairos Ministries 