Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 9:58AM | in Governance Obama and the Promise of America
Peterborough, OntarioBarack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States a week from today. I do my best to refrain from the partisan discussions that usually characterize American politics, but the figure of Obama so dominates current public discourse that it seems irreverent to avoid the topic entirely. Shoghi Effendi provides helpful guidelines for talking about such political subjects responsibly:
While refusing to utter a word that would needlessly alienate or estrange any individual, government, or people, we should fearlessly and unhesitatingly uphold and assert in their entirety such truths the knowledge of which we believe is vitally and urgently needed for the good and betterment of mankind.
With this in mind I'll make reference to an insightful set of comments by Robert Bellah, a sociologist of religion:
There is another element in Obama’s thinking that needs comment: his concern for America and its historical promise. It has been hard for his opponents to call Obama unpatriotic when he speaks so glowingly of our nation and its heritage. It is the eloquence with which he did that in his keynote address in 2004 that first told me that a remarkable new presence had arrived on the American scene. But what Obama has stressed is the promise of America, one that is still unfulfilled. It is our task as he has so often said to help create a more perfect union because this one is so imperfect. (Hat tip: TIF)
I think Bellah gets it mostly right. The promise of America is more than just creating a more perfect union, however, it has to do with playing its part in crafting and supporting an international order based on justice and unity. This is the most noble promise of America.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 9:58AM | in Governance 
Reader Comments (2)
Interesting to note that there is increasing agreement about the fact that the internal security and prosperity of America depends upon its commitment to promoting true justice and equity in the world. This is a spiritual destiny, given that justice and equity are spiritual principles and are at the core of every faith. America can be very great if it has the humility and heart to embrace the peoples of the world as one. There is no doubt that America has it in its power and capacity to do this, not because of its leader, but because of the inherent nobility of each of its citizens who have responded to the challenge of change and invitation of its new leader to sacrifice and be of service.
"O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal."