Prophet Micah spoke of world free of war, poverty

“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.”

This wisdom nugget comes from Reinhold Niebuhr, a famous Protestant theologian and professor in the mid-20th century.

In his book “The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness,” he acknowledges the great spiritual contradictions human beings exhibit all too easily. This quote about democracy is an important insight worthy of our reflection as we bask in the glow following the Fourth of July.

We have so much for which we must be thankful. We have so much for which we must seek forgiveness.

We had a great July Fourth parade in Sandpoint. It seems like we always do. This year, my wife and I noticed a lot of “flag wear” worn by parade participants as well as parade watchers. Some of the clothing was tasteful. Other clothing seemed garish, even disrespectful. But whatever the critique, flag wear is big business.

I have to wonder how much patriotic fervor lies beneath those clothes in the hearts and minds of those men, women and children sporting flag hats or blouses or shorts. It is one thing to wear your patriotism “on your sleeve,” as it were. Many of us believe deeply in our country and its values, regardless of the kind of clothes we wear.

But is that belief deep enough to hold our government to the highest standards of behavior when it comes to equal treatment of all of its citizens?

I believe that is a critical question in our time. It has been made particularly important during this July Fourth season when the credibility of the United States is challenged by some of its actions toward its own citizens and toward the international community.

This column is only secondarily about political decisions being made by President Bush and his administration. Primarily, I call upon President Bush to re-examine his policies in light of the Christian faith he deeply professes.

I believe he is very sincere in his faith. I also believe he is very selective in which parts of his faith he chooses to emphasize in the domestic and international policies he chooses to implement.

As I write this column, President Bush has a wonderful opportunity to go deeper into his own faith as he participates in the G8 Summit in Scotland.

There, these world leaders are supposed to wrestle with how they will lead their nations in how best to give debt relief for certain African countries and strategize for just (read “fair”) policies when it comes to issues of trade and poverty.

It is reported that the significant rhetoric about doing great things may be wilting in the face of hammering out the details of policies on these critical issues.

Before he left for Scotland, President Bush met with 13 Christian church leaders who urged him to support steps of significant progress on the issues of poverty and trade.

These mainline and evangelical Protestant and Catholic leaders asked him to increase effective anti-poverty foreign assistance funding in the 2006 budget by at least $2 billion. That would be a significant investment by the United States in the effort to reduce world poverty.

I hope the president listened deeply to this strong encouragement by these church leaders. With one voice, they spoke to some of the best in our biblical faith. I hope he heard in their collective voice the spiritual power that is always ready to transform world leaders so they can lead their people with courage, compassion and justice.

To address poverty is also to re-examine the role of military war, not only in our country but also around the world. The voice of the eighth-century prophet Micah is clear about God’s vision:

“He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.” (Micah 4:3-4)

Micah spoke for a God who abhors war and poverty, who challenges his people to transform tools of war into tools of economic well-being for everyone, not just for those already wealthy. Justice for one can happen only when there is justice for all. It isn’t just for those who can currently afford it. Micah’s prophecy sees that everyone must be free to offer and receive justice or no one is truly free.

I am confident the church leaders who encouraged President Bush before the G-8 Summit also challenged him with these words from Micah. I hope he has the political and spiritual courage to listen – and then act – on those words.