Summer is knocking at our door. Hope is in the air unease is in the air. Such is life. A dear friend often asks folks in his organization where they want to be in five years. A good practice is to focus on the future. We want to stay on track. A former pastor told the congregation this admonishment on many occasions. The track is good when we feel at the end.

The United States has felt a bit off track for some time. Shall we form our Republic according to our religious doctrine? We chastise other countries for doing the same thing. The Muslim faith endures criticism for this practice. I am old. I am old enough to remember before the Moral Majority and religion’s resurgence into secular government. Many point to the guardrails of our lauded three equal branches of government. The guardrails are damaged and in need of infrastructure crusade.

Was it alright and good that African Americans were marginalized for the majority of U.S. history? ‘A woman’s place is in the home was often said,’ when I was growing up. It was not been so long ago that women were not permitted to vote. Gay people have been a vital part of our society since its inception. Those who desire a theocratic form of law and society are basing their template on their understanding of scripture and the agreement of their constituency. What are they to do when other faiths in the Christian Life are not in line with those in power?

The reality of political expediency is that you are in vogue today and outside looking in tomorrow.

Neva J taught me that everyone is precious and worthy of being treated equally. Making fun of others was verboten. People of goodwill agreed that defamation and ridicule was a sign of ignorance.

Is a Dictator the answer when their daily decisions are based on how they feel at the moment and who bows and grovels at their feet? In our money-obsessed land shall we acquiesce to the old axiom that who has the gold makes the rules? Supplication is a necessary skill in Dictatorships. Are we longing for our limited understanding of human life to be the rule of the day? Are we willing to be on the losing end of this proposal at any time?

‘I have never seen such beautiful robes and your crown is majestic, the light of your countenance is more brilliant than the Sun,’ the people said. ‘We need not look for Christ to come to save us now that he has sent you,’ the people continued. ‘We have been practicing the ultimate bow where we touch our faces to the floor before your luster and sheen,’ they continued.

‘Has anyone told the Great Leader that he sleeps through the Royal Hearings and is naked,’ the janitor asked?