CONVICTIONANDCREED: BALANCINGTHETENSIONBETWEENNATIONALIDENTITYAND INDIVIDUALOPINION

by

AmyR.Wright AthesissubmittedtothefacultyoftheUniversityofMobileinpartialfulfillmentof therequirementsforthe"HonorsScholarwithThesis"designationintheHonors Program. UniversityofMobile 2012 Approvedby: _________________________ DouglasMitchell,Reader _________________________ AnastasiaRhodes,Reader _________________________ RobertSchaefer,Reader _________________________ JohnTalmage,Reader

Wright ii 2012 AmyR.Wright Allrightsreserved.

Wright iii Acknowledgments

IamtrulyoverwhelmedwithgratitudefortheopportunitytoseekthemindofGod inthecompanyofmentorsandfriendswiththedeepestoffaithsandthegrandestof ideas.Mereacknowledgementisinsufficienttoconveytheenduringimpactthe followinghavemadeonmyheart,mind,andsoul;butnevertheless,Iwilltry. TheHonorsProgram&theBunkerHillSociety:Yourfriendshipand accountabilitywasthecatalystthatchangedmycollegeexperiencefromeducation totransformation.Thanksforwalkingwithmefromdarknessintolight.Eachofus islivingproofthatTantumeTenebrisReceptumConstabit. Dr.KatherineAbernathy:YoursisabeautifulmindthatIhopetoalwaysreflect. Thankyouforshowingmewhatcuriositymeans. Dr.JulieBiskner:Inonesemester,youmanagedtodismantlemostofwhatI believedaboutpoliticsandplantanenduringquestioninmymindthatultimately ledtothethesisbeforeyou.ThanksforbeingfaithfultotheFoundingFathers. Dr.MarkFoley:WhenIthinkofredemptiveleadership,Ithinkofyou.Thankyou fortakingthetimetoexploreandinvestinmyheartandmind.Inevertoldyouthat aconversationinyourofficetwoyearsagoconfirmedthetopicofthispaper,and consequently,drewmeoutofpoliticalapathyandintopatriotism.Youembodythe covenantrelationshipbetweenconvictionandcreedwell,andIamgratefulforyour leadership. Mr.QuinHillyer:Yourthoughtsandideasoncultureandpoliticshaveencouraged metoexploremyown.Thankyou. Ms.KalaHolt:Yourfriendshipispricelesstome.Thanksforjoiningmealongthis journey.Youhavebeenasafeplaceformefromtheveryfirstday,andIhopethat ourplaceswillneverbetoofarapart.Iamproudtocallyoufriend. Mr.SethLamb:Thoughyouhinderedmyprogressbysuccessfullydistractingme frommyhomeworkeveryweekend,youalsomotivatedmyprogressbyprovoking metowardadeeperknowledgeofthetruth(andmakingmelaughalongtheway). Yourquestionsandencouragementareasafeplaceforme,andthathasmadeall thedifference. Dr.DouglasMitchell:Myadmirationofyouisdeep.Everythingyousayanddois infusedwithmeaningthatresoundswithinthedepthsofmybeing.Youtaughtme howtoseekthetruenatureofthingsasatruereflectorofthenatureofChrist.My intellectualcourage,thoughincomparabletoyours,isindebtedtoyou.Your encouragement,caution,andevendisciplinehaveenabledmetokeepmyheartand soulintactthroughoutthejourneytointellectualcourage.Myfaithisnowstrong becauseyouheldmeaccountabletofightingforit.Tomeyouareafatherfigure,a

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confidante,apastor,andafriend.Mymugofpower/knowledgeoverflowsbecause ofyou(inliteralandfigurativesenses).Thankyouisnotenough. Ms.AnnaRhodes:Thankyouforsteppinginaspartofthecommittee.Therestruly nooneelseIdratherhavefillingtherole.Imhonoredtohavetheinvestmentof yourbrightmindandgracefuldemeanorintotheproject. Dr.JoeSavage:Thankyouforexemplifyingtruepatriotismtome.Thedepthof yourfaithandthebreadthofyourpassionforChristandforpeoplechallengemeon adailybasis.Ihopetomakeyouproud. Dr.RobertSchaefer:Yousteppedinattheperfecttimeandprovidedthegluethat heldthesethoughtstogether.Thankyouforyourwillingnesstoinvestinthecrazy ideasofastranger.Youbroughttheseideasfromgoodtogreat,andIam grateful. Dr.StephenandMrs.GraceSchuler:Itwasaroundyourkitchentablethatthe ideaofconvictionandcreedfirstcametome.Thankyouforyourencouragement andhospitality. Dr.JohnTalmage:Well,thanksfortheexistentialcrisis.Seriouslythough,thank youforleadingmetoanunprecedentedunderstandingofgrace.Yourgentle guidancethroughtheconceptsofidentity,culture,andchurchledmetoagreater understandingofmyownidentity,culture,androleinthechurch.Yourwordsstill echoinmymindonaregularbasis,andIamforeverchangedinyourwake. Thomas,Donna,andJasonWright:Yourencouragementtowardpersonal convictionwasanessentialfoundationtomyintellectualandspiritualdevelopment. Thanksforputtingupwithmefor4yearswhileIdwelledwithintherealmofideas; andforthepastfewmonthswhileIisolatedmyselfinmynerdlairandoccasionally emergedfordinner.ThanksinadvanceforputtingupwithmewhileIremaininsaid realmforever.Illneverbethesame.

Wright 1 Neverunderestimatethepowerofanidea.Thoughintangibleandunseen,

theforcewithinisenoughtopropeltheriseofnations.Yet,whenoverlooked,itcan thrustonceinvinciblenationsintoirreversibledecline.Thepowerofanideais enoughtochangethecourseofhistory,andindeed,ithas. Freedom,justice,liberty,andequality1areideasthathavefollowedhumanity

throughouthistory.FromthebeginningofGenesis3,thequestionofmansidentity inrelationtotheworldandeternitybeyondithascreatedtensionbetweenmanand authority.Manattemptstoshapeauthoritybyassertingthepowerofhisownmind, whileauthorityattemptstoshapemanbyassertingthepowerofsociety.Further, theindividual2mindandcollectivesocietyeachshapetheidentityoftheother.In fact,onecannotexistwithouttheother.Attimes,however,therelationshipbetween theindividualandtheinstitutionsofsocietybecomesunbalancedwhenoneexerts morepowerthantheother.Atoneendofthespectrumisanarchy,andattheother, tyranny.Inbetweenthetwoliesindividualconvictionandcollectivecreed,holding intacttheideasoffreedom,justice,liberty,andequality. ParticularlyinthecaseofAmericanidentity,convictionandcreedarethe

mechanismsbywhichfreedom,justice,liberty,andequalityareappliedineveryday society.Theymotivatepoliticsinotherwords,theflowofpoweramong
1Forthesepurposes,freedomwillbedefinedasthestateofbeingexemptfromany

formofgovernmentorinterpersonaloppression.Justicewillbedefinedas conformitytothestandardofrightbehavior.Libertywillbedefinedasthefreedom toactaccordingtoonesowninterest,withintheparametersofjustice.Finally, equalitywillbedefinedasthebeliefthateveryindividualhasequalright,andshare of,freedom,justice,andliberty. 2Theuseofindividualhereisintendedtoconveyasinglemind,notan independentmind,sincethereistrulynosuchthingduetotheinescapable influenceofthedimensionsofculture,whicharebeliefs,actions,practices,norms, sanctions,andperhapsmostimportantly,language(Talmage).

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individuals,institutions,andtheideasforwhichtheystand.Convictionisdefinedas, astrongpersuasionorbelief(MerriamWebster),whilecreedisanysystemor codificationofbelieforofopinion,(Dictionary).RelativetoAmericanidentity, convictionwillbedefinedastheopinionoftheindividualcitizenwhilecreedwillbe definedasthedivineornaturallaw,fromwhichourcreedofindividualrightsis derivedandpreservedbymeansofthefoundingdocuments. Theissueatstakeisthetroubledrelationshipbetweenconvictionandcreed

andtheimplicationsthereinforAmericanidentity.Thetensionisevident throughoutcurrentevents.Religiouscommunitiesbecameenragedfollowinga federalmandaterequiringemployersandinsurancecompaniestoprovide contraceptives,claimingthegovernmenthasimposedonreligiousbelief(Markoe). MiddleEasterncitizens,discontentedbyyearsofoppression,formedanuprisingby meansofsocialmediathatultimatelyunseatsatyrantandredistributesthepower heexerted(Darabi).Debatescontinueoverwhetherthegovernmentwillcontinue todefinemarriageasbetweenamanandawomanorpermittheindividualto defineithimself(WallStreetJournal).Eachofthesecasesexemplifythedifficultyin resolvingtheinstitutionalinterpretationofthecreedandconflictingconvictionsof thecitizens. Clearly,wemustexplorehowthetensionbetweenconvictionandcreed

shouldbehandledifwewishtoprogressasaunifiednation.ReinholdNiebuhrsays thestrugglehereinisamatterofdefendingfreedomagainsttyrannyand...trying topreservejusticeagainstasystemwhichhas,demonically,distilledinjusticeand crueltyoutofitsoriginalpromiseofahigherjustice"(1).Theproblemisnotmere

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disagreement,butthatinjusticemaybecondonedifindividualsandinstitutions alikedonotcarefullyconsidertheimplicationsofthenecessarybalancebetween convictionandcreed. 1. InvokingthePoliticalReligion How,then,isthisbalancefacilitated?AbrahamLincolnassertedthat

convictionandcreedcanbereconciledbyestablishingapoliticalreligion:Let reverenceforthelaws...becomethepoliticalreligionofthenation(Lyceum Address). Thenatureofreligionistoinfluenceidentitybycodifyingtheconvictionsof manyindividuals,andthenatureofindividualsistoseekacodetowhichtheir convictionscanadhere(orseekacodetodictatetheirconvictions).Inessence, religionisamanmadeinstitutioncreatedinresponsetodivineauthority.Though thepoliticalreligionseemstobealogicalsolutiontothetensionbetweenconviction andcreedinAmericanidentity,itprovestobeacomplexandcostlysolutiontoa complexandcostlyproblem.Indeed,thepoliticalreligioncanbecomparedtothe JudeoChristianreligionintermsofitssociologicalprice,implications,andeffects. Thoughthetworeligionsarecertainlynotequal,thispaperwillexplorethe prevalentdichotomybetweentheconvictionofmankindanddivinecreedand whetherreligionpoliticalorJudeoChristianissufficienttobridgethegap. Thoughtheconflictisfierce,thesanctityoftheexplorationthereofisfiercerstill. AsThomasPainedeclaredastheAmericanidentitywasbeingformedin 1776,Thesearethetimesthattrymenssouls...Tyranny,likehell,isnoteasily conquered;yetwehavethisconsolationwithus,thatthehardertheconflict,the

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moregloriousthetriumph.Indeed,itistimetoreevaluatethetensionbetween convictionandcreedonceagain.Maythetriumphincludearebirthofthe exceptionalAmericanidentity. 2.TheRoleoftheCreed Onebeginsbydefiningthenatureandpurposeofcreed.Atwowaystreet existsbetweencreedandidentityinthesensethatthecreedconveystheidentityof thosewhoadheretoit,yetalsoalterstheidentityoftheadherentsthrough association.Becauseidentityisformedthroughresponsetoexternalandinternal stimuli,thecreedsimplycodifiestheindividualsresponsetopreviously experiencedstimuliintoamanageabledeclarationofabodyofbeliefs.Intermsof Americanidentity,individualrightsareatypeofcreedthatformthenations foundingdocumentsandformthenationscitizensbyinfluencingtheirperceptions, norms,andvalues.ThefoundingdocumentsreflectedtheAmericanmindatthetime theywerepenned,andtheycontinuetoconstructandrefinetheAmericanmindas thedocumentsareinterpretedthroughthelensofpostmodernAmericanculture. Thefoundingdocumentsarenotthecreedwithinthemselves,butrather,a representationanddefinitionofabstractyetapplicableselfevidenttruthsthat ultimatelydefinethenationsidentitybyprofoundlyaffectingtheidentityofits citizens(DeclarationofIndependence).TheConstitutionandtheDeclarationof Independenceconveyeternalstandardsthatpreexisttheconvictionsofthe Americancitizens,derivedfromnaturallawthatisbeyondanyauthority establishedbymankind.EvaBrannconfirmsthenotionofthecreedsdivine foundation,saying,sincesocietyisoriginallybasedonpoliticalprinciples,which

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themselveshaveamoraland,finally,areligiousbasis,Americanlifedepends ultimatelyonahighersource(28). Essentially,theprinciplesthatdefineAmericanidentityrequirethatcitizens lookoutsideofthemselvesforanucleusaroundwhichtheirconvictionsshould orbit.Thisisnottosaythatthestandarddictatesconvictions,butitisthecreed fromwhichconvictionsarederivedthroughthefilterofpersonalperceptions.Jaffa saysitnicely:thestandardistheideaofanunchanginggroundofchanging experience(84). JaffacontinuestoestablishthisconceptasthefoundationforLincolns languagebeforetheCivilWar.Inatimewhenpublicopinionseeminglycontradicted thecreedoflife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness(Declarationof Independence)thatheldthenationintact,Lincolnassertedthatpopularconviction contradictedthesoundinterpretationofthecreed.Inessence,Lincolnsassertion wasthattheUnitedStateswasfoundeduponanddedicatedtoanabstracttruth applicabletoallmenandalltimes(qtd.inJaffa121).Jaffasaysthisisthe foundationalquestionindeterminingtheimmortalrelevanceoftheAmericancreed. Onceestablishingtheimmutabilityofthistruth,Jaffasaid,Wemaythereforenow approachtheCivilWarwiththefullseriousnessdemandedbyLincoln'scontention thatitrepresentedatestofwhetheranynation,foundeduponsuchtruth,might endure(121). 2.1JusticeandCreed Clearly,Lincolnsbeliefintheauthorityofthecreedtocorrectpopular convictionwasacostlyone.Indeed,hefacedthefierceconflictbetweenconviction

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andcreedboldly,infulfillmentofhischargetodefendthecreedratherthanthe wavering,transientconvictionsofmanyofhiscitizens.Asthisconflictbetweenthe supremacyofcreedandtheubiquityofopinionintensifiedwithinLincolnsmind andenvironment,sodidtheideaofpoliticalreligionasthemechanismbywhichto preservethesymbioticrelationshipbetweenconvictionandcreed.Butlikethe natureofpolitics,themechanismofreligionisoftenmoredivisivethanunifying. Thepurposeofreligion,however,istounifyadiversenationundercommon principles.Anygivencreedsharesthispurposeaswell.AccordingtotheUnited Statesfoundingdocuments,theserepresentationsoftheimmutablecreedwere createdoutofadecentrespecttotheopinionsofmankind(Declarationof Independence).Inotherwords,thedocumentsareanincarnationofthecreedthat wascreatedfrom,andinpreservationof,individualconvictions.Evenso,though governmentsareintendedtodefendthecreed,theirpowerisderivedfromthe consentofthegoverned,makingthegovernmentdependentonsuchprinciples andorganizingitspowersinsuchform,astothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffect theirSafetyandHappiness(DeclarationofIndependence).Inessence,thepeople mustunifyundertheprinciplesofthecreedinorderforthegovernmenttomitigate divisivenesscreatedbyinstancesofinjustice. Becauseoneoftheselfevidenttruthsfromwhichthefoundingdocuments theincarnationofthecreedandconvictionsarederivedisequality,bothentities areintendedtopreservejustice.Indeed,equalityisirrevocablyinfusedintothe Americanmind.Thisisevidencedbythecircumstancessurroundingthenations birth:colonistsseparatedfromtheBritishcrownbecauseoftheadministrationof

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unjustlaws,deemedunjustbecausetheywerecontrarytotheconvictionsofthe people.Thecaveathereisthatifthepeoplewanttoendureoppressionforthesake ofthecollective,thentheysurelymay.Therightofconscience,however,deemsthis possibilityhighlyimpracticalbecausejusticeandequalityareengravedwithinthe natureofmankind.TherightofconsciencedictatesthatGodaloneisthejudgeof theheartsofmen3(Washington),soitisnottheresponsibilityofthestateto determinethevalidityofonesconvictions.However,itistheresponsibilityofthe stateandoftheoverallbodyofindividualconvictionstoupholdandreverethe creedthatholdsthenationtogether. Butunderstandtheimplications:LincolnsjustificationfortheCivilWar,and further,hisjustificationforpoliticalreligion,couldbedeemedunjustbecauseitwas, atthetime,contrarytotheconvictionsofmanyAmericanpeople(namely, supportersofslavery).Indeed,itwasenoughtodividethenationinorderto ultimatelyuniteit.Butisthenationwillingtopaythepriceofreconciliationonce again? Thoughthecreedisintendedtounifythebodyofindividualconvictionunder

astandardofselfevidenttruths,itestablishedagovernmentoflaws,andnotof men(Adams).Thisapproachfeedstheconflictbetweenconvictionandcreed becausemankindoftenwantsthelawstosubmittoitself,ratherthanitself submittingtothelaws.Nevertheless,theprinciplesofthecreed,establishedinthe foundingdocuments,arethedefinitionsandaxiomsoffreesociety(Lincolnqtd.in Jaffa80).Becausetheseprinciplesaregroundedinastandardbeyondmankinds

3Forthesakeofclarity,Godisdefinednotasanobjectbutasthedivineand

authoritativebeingaboveandbeyondthevisibleandtangiblerealm.

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influence,mankindlackstheauthoritytoalterthem,butitmayinterpretthem. Bradfordsaid,Forthemoralessencesthatshapeacommonwealtharenotoften constructedafteranytheory:theoriesareratherdrawnfromthemthenatural law,madepartiallyvisibleonlyintheprescription,butmadevisiblenonetheless (64).Inaway,theinvisibilityofthetruecreedfacilitatesthetensionbetween convictionandcreedbecausemankindquestionshisowninterpretativetheories, thoughderivedfromimmutablenaturallaw.Lincolnsconflictwasrootedinthe dichotomybetweenthevisibleapplicationofinvisibleyetselfevidenttruths. Butadheringtonaturallawoftencarriesthepriceofimmediatepersonal sacrifice.Thoughtheprocessofwrenchingconvictionfromitsholderinthenameof rightlyhandlingselfevidenttruthscanpolarizeanation,itultimatelystrengthens thenationbydefendingthecreedfromunseenforces,theresultsofwhichare undeniablydestructive.JamesMadisonconfirmedthisnotionbysayingthe ConstitutionequallydisplaysaferventattachmenttoRepublicangovernmentand anenlightenedviewofthedangerouspropensitiesagainstwhichitoughttobe guarded(Federalist49).Indeed,manyofthesedangerouspropensitiesarehoused inthemindsofindividualcitizens. Evenso,thefoundingdocumentsprotectthenationbypreservingjustice

throughequality.InLincolnsestimation,theseendswereworththecostof instigatingtheconflictofpopularopinion.Theselfevidenttruthsfromwhichthe foundingdocumentswereestablishedarethatallmenarecreatedequal,thatthey areendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienableRights,(Declarationof Independence).Withoutthisfoundationalconceptofequality,justicecannot

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rightfullybeinterpretedthroughthefoundingdocuments.ReinholdNiebuhr confirmsthatwehave,inshort,achievedsuchjusticeaswepossessintheonlyway justicecanbeachievedinatechnicalsociety:wehaveequilibratedpower(101). Lincolnjustifiedhiscausebythecreedofequalitythatconsequentlydemands justice. MartinLutherKingJr.alsochampionedthecauseofjusticethroughequality

duringtheCivilRightsMovementofthe1960s.Hewrote,Injusticeanywhereisa threattojusticeeverywhere.Wearecaughtinaninescapablenetworkofmutuality tiedinasinglegarmentofdestiny.Whateveraffectsonedirectlyaffectsall indirectly(Letter).Thecreedofequalitybindsconvictionsofthecitizensto establishnothingless.Thus,bothLincolnandKingassertedthattheeffectsofthe injusticesofslaveryandsegregationmustbeinterceptedbecausetheynegatively affectthetightlywovenfabricofAmericansociety. 2.2EqualityandCreed Equalityisanessentialnotiontoconsiderbecausethefoundingdocuments

presentitasoneoftheselfevidenttruthsthatdefinethenationscreed.However, theequalitysetforthinthecreedistypicallyinterpretedasequalityofopportunity ratherthanoutcome.Theopportunitythereinistheequalrightofeveryindividual tolife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness,howeveronemaychoosetoachieve theseendswithintheboundsofliberty.Equality,then,isanintegralprincipleofthe creedforwhichLincolnsoughttoinstillreverence. ThoughJaffasaysLincolnspoliticalreligioninstillsreverenceforthe

commonidentityandpromotesunity(152),Bradfordbegstodiffer.Hecontends

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thatreligionwhetherpoliticalorJudeoChristianismerelyjustificationforthe idealofequality:Godisthus,byimplication,thesecurityforthequasireligionof Equality.HereistheheresyofapoliticalreligionatthebeginningofLincolns politicalcareer,andalsoatitsend(70).Bradfordcontinuestosaythatthenation willalwaysbedividedinsomeway,regardlessoftheattemptsofunitythrough politicalreligion.Heisconcernedthatequalitywillbecomethedominantprinciple ofthecreed,thuscompromisingtheauthorityoftheprincipleofliberty.Though perhapsheiscorrect,thefoundingdocumentsandthecreedfromwhichtheyare deriveddemandthedefenseofequalityandlibertyalikebecauseonewasnot intendedtoexistwithouttheother. Thoughthisconceptisidealisticinnature,America,bynature,isanidealistic nation;anditssuccessinreflectingtheidealsoffreedom,justice,liberty,and equalityhasmadethenationexceptional.AsSenatorand2012Presidential CandidateRickSantorumsays,selfevidenttruthsareattherootofAmerican exceptionalism.Anythinglessthanthefullestpossiblemanifestationofselfevident truthsisacompromiseofthenationalidentityoriginallyintendedbythefounders. ReinholdNiebuhrrespondstoBradfordsargumentaboutthedangerof

equalitybysayingthatthisprincipleallowsanindividualtomakehimselfthefinal endofhisownexistence.TheChristianideaofprovidenceisrejectedfortheheady notionthatmanisthemasterofhisfateandthecaptainofhissoul(13).Indeed,the purposeofthecreedistoinvokeindividualstolookhigherthantheirownreason andintoapurposegreaterthantheirownends.Infact,freedom,justice,liberty,and equalityaretheendandmeanstoahealthysociety.

Wright 11 Branncontendsthatequalityisthefoundationofsociety,saying,The

Americansocialsituationis,then,theconsequenceofpoliticalprinciples... Congresswiththeaidofthatstandardmaximforfreesocietytheprincipleof equality,'Laysthefoundationsofsocietypoliticsprecedessociety,notthereverse (28).Essentially,theflowandbalanceofpowerbetweenconviction(individuals) andcreed(institutions),determinesthenatureofsociety.Thus,thenatureof societyasawholecannotcontradictthenatureofthecitizensconvictionsorof theircreed.Withouttheesoteric,andyes,idealistic,conceptofequality,the progressofthenationisstuntedbecauseitlacksavisionandmissionforwhichto strive.Inessence,theselfevidenttruthofequalityandtherightstolife,liberty,and thepursuitofhappiness,(DeclarationofIndependence),arethevisionandmission ofthenation.Thecreedpreservestheavailabilityofthevisionandmissionsothat citizenscanrefinetheirconvictionsaccordingly. Thecreedalsofacilitatessynergythroughunity.Whencitizensunitearound

acommoncreed,thesumoftheirpowerissignificantlymorethanthatofadivided bodyofindividuals.Theindividualpowerofeachisrepresentedandevenamplified throughtheunityofcharacterthatisestablishedby,andinseparablefrom,the creeditself. Thecreedalsoestablishedameetingplaceandstandardforindividual

behavior.Whenanindividualorgroupofindividualsactsunjustly,theauthorityof thecreedreservestherighttodisciplineorevencastouttheoffender.Theironyof thisprincipleisthattheendofunityrequiresthemeansofdivision.Indeed,the creedmustdiscriminatebetweenupholderandoffenderinordertopreserveits

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integrity.4Thoughthispracticecanoffendorappearhypocriticalforremovingthe rightsofanoffender,itisintendedtopreserveequalitybybindingthepowerofthe individualtoactunjustly.ThisisanotherdimensionoftheoppositiontoLincolns politicalreligionbecausesomecontendedthathewasactingunjustlytowardthem byremovingtheirrighttohaveslaves.Evenso,thecreedsdivinenaturedemands itsdefensedespitepersonalopinion. 2.3RedemptionandCreed Theconflictbetweencreedandpersonalopinionisrootedintheproblemof humandepravity.TheAmericancreedassumesthatitscitizensareimperfect,thus requiringacreedtounitethemorevenpunishthemifnecessary.Thoughitwould takeanotherpaper,andperhapsanotherlifetime,todiscussthenatureandsource ofhumandepravity5,thisworkassertsthatthecreedisintendedforaredemptive purpose,regardlessofonespersuasionregardingthesourceorvalidityofthe problemofdepravity.ThomasJefferson,authoroftheDeclarationofIndependence, summarizedtheproblemwell,saying,Inquestionsofpowerthenletnomorebe heardofconfidenceinman,butbindhimdownfrommischiefbythechainsofthe constitution(qtd.inJaffa146). Ultimately,thepurposeofthecreedistoserveasaredemptiveagentbut nottheredeemerofadepravedsociety.Theproblemofhumandepravity
4AninterestingcasestudyofthisconceptisthatofAnneHutchinson,ascitedin

JohnWinthropsjournals.

5Forsomecontendthatthecreeditselfcorruptsmankind,(seeFoucault),while

othersattributecorruptiontopoweritself(seeNietzsche),therebyremovingall hopeofredemptionsincepowerisinescapable.TheJudeoChristiancreed,however, assertsthatmankindisoriginallycorruptedandrequireschecksandbalancesand ultimatelyredemptiontobedeliveredfromitsowndepravity.

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demandsasourceofauthoritygreaterthanoneself,andthefoundingdocuments partiallyfillthisrole. Anotherproblemthatcontributestothetensionbetweenconvictionand

creedisthatdepravedindividualsinterpretthecreed.Evenso,thefounding documentsprovideasystemofchecksandbalancestominimizetheeffectsof humandepravityintheapplicationofthecreed.Thepoliticalreligionalsoservesas aredeemingforce,thoughReinholdNiebuhrsaidthattheironybetweenconviction andcreedisfurtheredthroughademonicreligiopoliticalcreedwhichhadeven simplernotionsthanweoffindinganescapefromtheambiguityofman'sstrength andweakness(3).However,thecreedaccomplishesreconciliationbetween personalandsocietalstrengthsandweaknessesbyestablishingastandardof thoughtandbehavior. ThisconceptcanberelatedtoLincolnsperspectiveofhumannaturewhen

defendingtheAmericancreed: InwaragainsttheBritishforindependence:Andthus,fromtheforce ofcircumstances,thebasestprinciplesofournaturewereeithermade toliedormant,ortobecometheactiveagentsintheadvancementof thenoblestofcausesthatofestablishingandmaintainingciviland religiousliberty.(LyceumAddress) Essentially,Lincolnconveyedthatthecreedservesitsredemptivepurpose byevokingthestrengthofmankindtodefendacausehigherthanoneself.Perhaps Lincolnknewthatthesameallegiancedisplayedinthewarforindependencewould

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eventuallybenecessaryintheconflictfornationalunity,thoughitwouldnotcome toaheadfortwomoredecades. Thistruthleadstoanimportantprincipleinthelifeandprogressofsociety: Tochangeaculture,wemustchangethepeopleinthatculture(DriscollRadical 109).Thecreediseffectiveinitsauthoritybecauseitisindividuallynot institutionallyfocused.Infact,theauthorityofthegovernmentthatdefendsitis derivedfromtheconsentofthegovernedandisestablished,withdecentrespect totheopinionsofmankind(DeclarationofIndependence).Thecreedfacilitatesa freebutsecuresocietybyfocusingonservingmankindratherthanitsown authority. 2.4AuthorityoftheCreed Consequently,thoughthecreedisessential,itisinsufficientforthesecurity ofsociety.Theapplicationofitsauthorityrequirestheelectiveallegianceofabody ofindividuals(thoughtheauthorityitselfexistsindependentlyofindividualopinion, asocietymustchoosetosubmittoandapplythecreed).ReinholdNiebuhrsays,It isnecessarytobewiserthanourcreedifwewouldsurviveinthestruggleagainst communism(10).Thoughitisdangeroustoassumethatanygivenpersonal convictioncansurpasstheauthorityofthecreed,Niebuhriscorrectthatindividuals mustemploytheirconvictionstointerpretthecreedinordertopreventtyranny. This,then,isacriticalelementinthereconciliationofconvictionandcreed:thatone canbeconfidentthatconvictionsarenotamatterofhistoricalfate,blindfaith,or merewill.Whilethey(thefounders)didholdsomeopinionsasamatteroffaith,

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theywereconfidentthattheseopinionswereinharmonywiththeteachingsof unassistedhumanreason(Jaffa80). Thoughconvictionslikereligionarederivedfromthecreed,theyarealso cultivatedthroughreasonandexperience.Thus,theindividualandtheinstitution serveasdualsourcesofconvictions,requiringthesymbiotic,dependent relationshipbetweenthetwoentities. 3.PatternofProgress Moreover,thecreedisessentialtotheprogressofsocietybecauseitturnsa causeintoamovement.Inordertounderstandthisshift,onemustfirstobservea subtleyetprevalentpatternoforganizations:man,movement,machine,and monument(DriscollAustralia10). Thepatternbeginswithanideaanditschampion,inthiscasetermedthe man.Themanhasacauseaconvictionforwhichheiswillingtosacrifice himself.Indeed,hetypicallydoesbecomeasacrifice,whetherbydeathorbyhis lifeswork,tobuildloyaltyaroundhiscause.Inessence,heinfectsotherswithhis ideabycodifyingthecausethroughcommunicationrelevanttothedimensionof cultureinthepresentenvironment.Thecreedofthecause,however,istypically derivedfromsomeesotericprincipleyetappliedinaninnovativeandculturally relevantmanner.Somewherewithinthistask,thecausebecomesamovementas theallegianceofothersgatherstobuildmomentumaroundit.Themovement stageistheapexoftheorganization,clearlycommunicatingandapplyingitscreed. Itunitespeopleoflikevalueswhoworktogethertochangeperceptions,convictions,

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andconditionswithinsociety.Thedefiningcharacteristicofamovementisthatit effectivelygenerateschangeinpeople,whichgenerateschangeinsociety(Dale). Overtime,amovementbecomesamachine.Driscollsaidthisoccurs whenamovementfailstohonoreitheritsfoundersoritsfuture.Somewillhonor theirfounderbyjustdoingexactlywhattheysaid.Somewillhonor(its)futureby dismantlingthingsinordertoinnovate(Australia10).Regardlessofhowitoccurs, themachinemaintainstheorganizationofthemovementbutforfeitsitssoul. Theveteransofthemovementgrowwearyandevendisdainfulattheprospectof necessarychange,whilenewentrantsbecomefrustratedandconfusedbecausethe conditionofthemachinedoesnotmatchtheloreofthemovement.Thisinvokes themonumentstage,inwhichthemachineultimatelystopsrunningduetolack ofconvictiontofuelthecause.Thecreed,however,remainsunchangedbut unattended. How,then,canoneresurrectalivingcreedfromthegraveyardofaforgotten cause?Driscollsaidthatfaithfulservicetothecause(empoweredbycreed)froma numberofindividualskeepsthesoulofthemovementintactlongenoughto permanentlyevokechange(Australia11).Evenso,thecycleofmanto movementtomachinetomonumenthasbeenrepeatedmultipletimes throughoutAmericanhistory.PerhapsLincolnperceivedthefirstlargescale occurrenceasheobservedthecomplacencyofAmericancitizensregardingthe creedofequality.Kingalsobecamethemanwhobeganamovementthroughoutthe civilrightseraofthe1960s.ButcoulditbetimeagainforthecreedoftheUnited

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StatesofAmericatorevivethepassionateconvictionsofthepeopleintoanewfound movementoffreedom,justice,liberty,andequality? ThomasPainecautionsthenationtopayattentiontothecyclesofhistory:In Theprogressofpolitics,asinthecommonoccurrencesoflife,wearenotonlyaptto forgetthegroundwehavetravelledover,butfrequentlyneglecttogatherup experienceaswego.PerhapsLincolnandKingleftexperiencebehindforusto gatherfromthegroundtheypioneered.JustasLincolncommunicatedandapplied thecreedofequalityinanewfoundwaythepoliticalreligioninordertorevive theconvictionsofthepeopletoempoweramovementoffreedom,justice,liberty, andequality;soshouldwerespondaccordinglytotheconditionofoursociety regardingconvictionandcreed.Perhapswe,too,needarebirthoffreedom,justice, liberty,andequalityforwhichthepatriotsdied.Thoughitisatnosmallcost,the visionofanationmustbepreservedifitwishestokeepitssoulitsconviction fullyintact. Thisprocessisnecessarybecausethepreservationofthecreedrequiresthe momentumofindividualconviction.Madisonsaid, Ifitbetruethatallgovernmentsrestonopinion,itisnolesstruethat thestrengthofopinionineachindividual,anditspracticalinfluence onhisconduct,dependmuchonthenumberwhichhesupposesto haveentertainedthesameopinion...Whentheexampleswhich fortifyopinionareancientaswellasnumerous,theyareknownto haveadoubleeffect.(Federalist49)

Wright 18 Becauseabodyofconvictionissoessentialtothepreservationofthecreed

andthepreventionofamonument,itmustbenurturedinorderforthestateto survive.Thoughthebeliefs,values,practices,norms,sanctions,andlanguage collectively,culturethatinfluenceconvictionareconstant,thesecannotbe conservedbykeepinginrepairthewallsanddocumentsthataretheirsymbols. Theyneedtobewrittenafreshgenerationaftergenerationonthetabletsofthe heart(RichardNiebuhr37).Niebuhrcontinuesthattheconstantreminderofthe creedcannotlapseforevenageneration,ortheforcesofculturewillovertakeit, turningaoncelivingmovementintoastagnantmonument.Thiseffectis preciselywhatthenationmustfighttoprevent. 4.TheRoleofConviction Butwhatisthenatureandpurposeofconvictionapartfromthecreed?Itis difficult,ifnotimpossible,toseparatethetwoentitiesifevenforthesakeofanalysis. Convictionis,essentially,arighteouscause.Itisrootednotwithintheself,but withinahigherstandardbeyondtheself.Onecandaretoassertthatconvictionis derivedfromthesamesourcethatbirthedthecreed.Evenso,theindividualdoes notdefinehisownconvictions,butrather,selectsandrefinesconvictionsaccording tothedimensionsofhisownculture.Consequently,theconvictionsofanindividual formthepersonalidentityintoanatureandpurposebeyonditself. Convictionrelatestoidentityinthesensethatitconstructstheindividual

andcollectivemind.Convictionsdrivepoliticsbetweenindividualsandinstitutions andmotivateindividualstobecomepartofinstitutions.Thedimensionsofculture andinstitutionsofsociety(includinggovernment,church,family,andsocialgroups)

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influenceconvictionsbycontributingtotheindividualmind.Inadditiontoforming relationshipsbetweenpeopleandideas,convictionsinfluencepersonalperceptions ofhowonerelatestotheworldaroundandbeyondhim.Theetherealpowerof convictiontotransformpeopleinternallytoinfluencetheworldexternallyisthe mysteryandnecessityofconvictioninsociety.Convictioncultivatesand communicatesthesoulofthecreed.Inshort,convictiontransformsfromthebottom up,whilecreedtransformsfromthetopdown. Thoughcreedaffectssocietythroughanidentifiableprogression,the

progressofconvictionismoredifficulttocapture.Individualsarebornwithcertain dimensionsofculture,butnonearetrulydevelopedintoconvictionswithout redefiningthestatusquoofthemindthroughpersonalexperience,interpretationof thecreedandtheformationofidentitythatresults.Thesefactorsreorientthought andperceptionandbecomeconvictionsthroughaction.Ideasbecomeconvictions whentheyareactedupon.Thuscontinuesthebirthandprogressofconviction. Akeydimensionofconvictionistherighteousaspectofthecause.The

righteousnessthereinisessentiallyitsinclusionofthehighercreedprinciplesof freedom,justice,liberty,andequalitywhichstandconstantregardlessofdepraved humanopinion.Thoughmanyprinciplesarearguable,fewarenegotiable.The righteousnessofthecauseconsistsofthefactorswhoseinherentsuperiorityand authorityarenonnegotiable. Convictionyieldsacertaindegreeofsovereigntytotheindividualto

determinewhichprinciplesoneshouldchoosetorepresent.Thenatureofthecreed, however,invitestheallegianceoftheindividualbecauseitsprinciplesarederived

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fromthesamestandardthatbirthstheconvictionsoffreedom,justice,andliberty. TheconvictionoflibertyisatthecoreofAmericanidentityandnaturallyengrained ontheheartsandmindsofmankind,thoughsometimesrepressedbytheinfluence oftyrannicalcreeds. 4.1LibertyofConviction JohnStuartMill,whosetheoriesremaininfluentialontheAmericanideaof liberty,said,Theonlypartoftheconductofanyone,forwhichheisamenableto society,isthatwhichconcernsothers.Inthepartwhichmerelyconcernshimself, hisindependenceisofright,absolutely.Overhimself,overhisownbodyandmind, theindividualissovereign6(Ch.1).Theprinciplehereisthattheconvictionof libertyelevatestheindividualtochooseandrefinehispersonalinterpretationofthe creed,withintheboundsthecreedimpliesforhealthyrelationshipsinsociety,and thus,betweenconvictionandcreed.7 Personalinterpretationsarerefinednotonlythroughculturaldimensions,

butalsothroughtherolesofpassionandreason.Madisonsaid,itisthereason, alone,ofthepublic,thatoughttocontrolandregulatethegovernment.Thepassions oughttobecontrolledandregulatedbythegovernment(Federalist49).However, thisisadifficultbalancetoachievebecauseindividualsmakedecisionsandrefine

6ReinholdNiebuhrnotesthattheironyoftheAmericanidentityisthatwedonot

trulygranttheindividualasmuchsovereigntyasweclaim(8).Thoughthisissueis complex,itissafetosaythattheindividualisrespectedandthecreedisreveredin theidentitythatwasredefinedbyLincoln. 7Becauselibertyimpliesthatoneisfreetoactunjustlyaswellasrespectfully,the foundingdocumentsestablishtheboundariesoflibertybyunitingitwiththe convictionofjusticeinordertoprotectindividualsfromtheeffectsofliberty withoutjustice.

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theirconvictionsusingbothpassionandreason.8Thiscanbereconciledbytheidea ofWashingtonsrighttoconscience(Letter),whichcould,infact,integratepassion andreasonsothatcitizensmayobeylawsaccordingtotheirowninformed consent(Jaffa81). ThelateChiefJusticeWilliamRehnquistfurtherdrivesthepoint: BeyondtheConstitutionandlawsinoursociety,thereissimplyno basisotherthantheindividualconscienceofthecitizenthatmay serveasaplatformforthelaunchingofmoraljudgments.Thereisno conceivablewayinwhichIcanlogicallydemonstratetoyouthatthe judgmentsofmyconsciencearesuperiortothejudgmentsofyour conscience,andviceversa...ifnoindividualconscienceismore rationalthananyother,howcanmycollectiveconsciencebemore rationalthananyother?(qtd.inJaffa89). RehnquistconveysthattheAmericancreedinfluencestheindividualconsciencesof thecitizens,which,inturn,influencetheindividualandcollectiveinterpretationof thecreed.ThoughJaffawouldnotagreewithRehnquistspositivism(adilutedform ofcollectivism),perhapstheycanagreethatthecreedofequalityandlibertyis necessarybecauseitaffectsindividualconscience,andthus,collectiveconscience. Thedifferencesthereinmusteventuallybereconciled,tosomeextent,byfurther interpretationofthecreed.Conscienceisthehomeofconviction.
8Somemaycontendthatreasonisthemeansoftruerevelation,especiallyina

pseudoenlightenedsocietylikeAmerica.However,thoughthefoundingdocuments arereasonablewithinthemselves,theyarestagnantwithoutthepassionand convictionoftheindividualstointerpretthem.(FeelfreetoinsertanAquinas referenceofyourchoice,here).

Wright 22 Becauseconvictionsdefinethesoulofthecreed,theyalsodefinethesoulof

thenation.Theconvictionoflibertyissointricatelywoventhroughthefabricof Americanidentitythatitcannotbeeasilyremoved.Thisstandsinstarkcontrastto [Collectivistsocieties,likethoseintheOrient,who]cannotbeexpectedtofeelthe lossoflibertywiththesamesenseofgrievousdeprivationasintheWest(Reinhold Niebuhr120).Thislackofgrievousdeprivationisaculturalphenomenonpartially createdbythelackofreverenceforlibertyinnationalidentity,whichis,inpart, establishedbythenationalcreed. 4.2ConvictionandLeadership Inthesameway,afreesocietycannotbeforcedtoadheretoanycreedorthe

lawsderivedfromit.Rather,citizenswiththeconvictionoflibertymustbeledto activelypreservetheprinciplesofthecreedineverydaythoughtandbehavior.As Kingpoignantlysaid,Lukewarmacceptanceismuchmorebewilderingthan outrightrejection(Letter).Withoutthisintentionalcultivationofcommonidentity facilitatedbythesynergybetweenconvictionandcreed,apathyorangeroverthe nationalconditionsetsin,furtherdividingthegapbetweenindividualand institution.Thisactiveandintentionalreminderofthecreedforeveryindividualisa criticalelementtopreventingamovementfrombecomingamachine.Aleader mustkeepthevisionbeforethepeoplesotheycanrefinetheirconvictions accordingly. Ultimately,thisisinthegovernmentleadersbestinterestbecause

convictionsindirectlyestablishlaws.Thoughconvictionsarederivedfromthe creed,soarethefoundingdocuments.Further,lawsarederivedfromthefounding

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documents.Thus,convictionsplayaroleinestablishinglawsbecauselawsare intendedtoreflectbothconvictionandcreedofindividuals.Thisprincipleis confirmedbyKing,whosaid,Ajustlawisamanmadecodethatsquareswiththe morallaworthelawofGod.Anunjustlawisacodethatisoutofharmonywiththe morallaw(Letter).Theconflictariseswhenindividualconvictionsand/orthe nationalcreedarenotinlinewithnaturallaw.Thiswouldconstituteinjustice. Indeed,authoritiesthatestablishnationalcreedsfromsourcesotherthan

naturallawcaneasilyoverridetheconvictionofliberty.Therefore,convictionmust befoughtforandthecreedofequalitymustbedefended.Sufficienthistorical evidenceexists,however,thatoppressedpeoplecannotremainoppressedforever. Theurgeforfreedomwilleventuallycome(KingLetter).9Thoughfreedomis permittedandfacilitatedbythecreed,itisestablishedandfurtheredbyconviction. Kingexemplifiedthenecessityofconvictioninrelationtocreedwhenhequoted ReinholdNiebuhrsaying,groupsaremoreimmoralthanindividuals(Letter). Indeed,thecreedpointstheindividualtoredemption,whiletheindividualholdsthe interpretationofthecreed(thefoundingdocuments),accountablefromtyranny. 4.3RedemptionandConviction Whenconvictionsfailtoreflecttheprinciplesinherentinthecreed,thecreed

demandsreconciliation.Inthesameway,convictionsdemandreconciliationwhen theinterpretationofthecreedoverstepsitsboundsintotherealmoftyranny.For example,whenthenationpracticedracialsegregation,Kingcalledforcitizensto

9ExamplesincludetheHebrewexodusfromEgyptiancaptivity,thecivilrights

movementofthe1960s,andthemoderndayoverthrowofMiddleEastern governments,particularlytheregimeoftheLibyanQadhaffi.

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respondwithcivildisobediencetherightoftheindividualtoassertthepowerof hisownconvictionthroughtheauthorityofthecreedofequality.Bydoingso,these individualscarriedourwholenationbacktogreatwellsofdemocracywhichwere dugdeepbythefoundingfathersintheformulationoftheConstitutionandthe DeclarationofIndependence(KingLetter). Ultimately,theconvictionofthepeople,whenderivedfromnaturallaw,

holdstheinterpretationofthecreedaccountabletothestandardoffreedom,justice, liberty,andequality.InreferencetoactsofcivildisobedienceperformedbyKings followers,hesaid,Ifwearewrong,theSupremeCourtofthisnationiswrong.Ifwe arewrong,theConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesiswrong.Andifwearewrong,God Almightyiswrong...Ifwearewrong,justiceisalie,lovehasnomeaning(Mass Meeting).TheCivilRightsMovementdisplaysthatconvictionappliestheprinciples ofthecreedanddrivestheprogressofsocietythroughlivingrepresentatives. Withoutconviction,thecreedistyrannicalbecausecitizenscannot

voluntarilyadheretoitsprinciples.Moreover,thepracticalapplicationofconviction emancipatestheindividualfromthetyrannyoftheunrighteousinterpretationofthe creed.Neitherconvictionnornationalcreed(thefoundingdocuments),however,is infallibleeachrequirestheothertoholditaccountable.Brannconveysthis conceptaswell:"Thegovernmentisameans,andthusacompromiseofevils.Thus MadisonsaidintheFederalistNo.51:Butwhatisgovernmentitselfbythegreatest ofallreflectionsonhumannature?Ifmenwereangels,nogovernmentwouldbe necessary(44).Inotherwords,theroleofthegovernmentistointerpretand applytheprinciplesofthecreedtopreventthegovernanceofhumandepravity.But

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bothcitizensandgovernmentmustexistinordertoencouragetheredemptionof theother. 5.BalancingConvictionandCreed

Preservingthebalancebetweenconvictionandcreedrequiresredemptive leadership.Inessence,theseindividualsleadthemovementfromthemonologueof thecreedtothedialoguebetweenconvictionandcreedsothateachoftheir weaknessesarecounteredbytheother.Kingsaid, Thereisatypeofconstructivenonviolenttensionthatisnecessaryfor growth...wemustseetheneedofhavingnonviolentgadfliesto createthekindoftensioninsocietythatwillhelpmenrisefromthe darkdepthsofprejudiceandracismtothemajesticheightsof understandingandbrotherhood(Letter). Becauseindividualconvictionhasthecapacitytoenvisionthefutureand

respondaccordingly,thestagnancyofthecreedrequirescontinualstimulationfrom convictionaseachgenerationdetermineshowthecreedshouldbeappliedthrough constantlychangingculturaldimensions.Thisprocesssharpensbothconvictionand creedinthesensethattheunpredictabilityandindependenceofconvictionare lessenedbytheimmutableprinciplesofthecreed.Likewise,thestagnancyofthe creedislessenedbythedynamicnatureofconviction.Thisistheredemptiveeffect ofthebalancebetweenconvictionandcreed. ThoughthedignityandequalityofindividualsisahallmarkoftheAmerican

creed,itdoesnotnegatethesupremacyofthecreed.ReinholdNiebuhrsays,Our culturedoesnotreallyvaluetheindividualasmuchasitpretends;ontheother

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hand,ifjusticeistobemaintainedandoursurvivalassured,wecannotmake individuallibertyasunqualifiedlytheendoflifeasourideologyasserts(8).The purposeofconvictionistopreserveandapplytheprinciplesofthecreedthrough incarnation.Thougheachisnecessarytotheother,theconflictbetweenthetwocan onlyberesolvedbysubmittingtothecommonsourceofconvictionandcreed. ReinholdNiebuhrcontendsthat,Divinejealousyisarousedbymansrefusalto observethelimitsofhisfreedom.Therearesuchlimits,becausemanisacreatureas wellascreator.(158)Whenmankindrefusestoobservethelimitsofhisfreedom setinplacebythecreed,animbalancedsocietyensues.Perhapsthisistheroleof thepoliticalreligion:tosetthesightsofthecitizensuponasourceoffreedomhigher thanthemselvessothebalancebetweenconvictionandcreedcanbepreserved. 5.1.InherentBalanceintheFoundingDocuments Anexampleofhowthepoliticalreligionpreservesthebalancebetween convictionandcreedisthebalancedrelationshipbetweentheConstitutionandthe DeclarationofIndependence.Santorumsays,TheConstitutionisanchoredinthe Declarationtheselfevidenttruthswhicharethecreedtowhichweadhere.In comparisonoftherelationship,theDeclarationrepresentscreed,whilethe Constitutionrepresentsconviction.Branncontinues,Thusfor(Lincoln)the Declaration,basedonfinalprinciples,standspermanent,whiletheConstitution,asa means,isamendable;thetwotogetherstandforAmerica'sdoublerootinwhatis absolutelybestandwhatismerelymostpracticable(45).Inthesamemanner,the creedfromwhichthedocumentsarederivedstandspermanent,whileindividual convictionsareamendable.

Wright 27 JaffaassertsthattheDeclarationofIndependenceassumesthatthedivine

governmentoftheuniversesuppliestheparadigmfortherightgovernmentofman byman(146).ThisfurtherimpliesthattheAmericanpeopleunderstandtheroleof theConstitutiontobereflectiveoftheconstitutionoftheuniverse.Thus,the AmericandeclarationofInGodWeTrustacknowledgesthatGodthedivine sourceofthecreedproperlyexecutesthefunctionsofgovernmentthrough infinitewisdom,goodness,andrectitude(Jaffa146).Thegoalofthefounding documentsistoestablishagovernmentidenticaltothatenabledbythedivine sourceofthecreed. ThoughtheDeclaration(creed)canexistwithouttheConstitution (conviction),theConstitutioncannotexistwithouttheDeclaration.However,the DeclarationlacksapplicableauthorityifnotreveredbytheConstitution.Indeed,the Declarationwaswritteninatimeofcrisistoreflectatimelesstruth,butthe ConstitutionfaithfullyupholdstheprinciplesoftheDeclaration,intimesofcrisis andintimesofpeace.JustasmaintainingtherelationshipbetweentheConstitution andtheDeclarationalsoyieldsabalancedsociety,somusttherelationshipbetween convictionandcreedbetoupholdthevigorandintegrityofthenation. 5.2.ReverencefortheLaws Themissingcomponent,however,istheforcethatdrivesandpreservesthe relationshipbetweenconvictionandcreed.Thoughgenerallyknownaspolitics, Lincolnspecifiedthisparticularforceasthepoliticalreligion.Asearlierquotedfrom theLyceumAddress,Lincolnsaid,

Wright 28 LetreverenceforthelawsbebreathedbyeveryAmericanmotherto thelispingbabethatprattlesonherlap;letitbetaughtinschools,in seminaries,andincolleges;letitbewritteninprimers,spelling books,andinalmanacs;letitbepreachedfromthepulpit,proclaimed inlegislativehalls,andenforcedincourtsofjustice.And,inshort,letit becomethepoliticalreligionofthenation;andlettheoldandthe young,therichandthepoor,thegraveandthegayofallsexesand tonguesandcolorsandconditions,sacrificeunceasinglyuponits altars. Religionis,inessence,asystemofbeliefsandconvictionsdesignedby

mankindsattempttoencounterthesourceofitsclaims.Itisacodeofconduct facilitatedbyheartfeltreverenceforthesourceofitscreed.Lincolnsoughtto cultivatethisreverencetoestablishthecreedasasystemofbeliefsandconvictions inordertounifythepeoplearoundthesourceofhisclaimsthatfreedom,justice, liberty,andequalityaresupreme. ASupremeCourtJusticeofthe19thcenturysaidthatpoliticsandreligionare inseparablebecausethedoctrinesofreligion,includingresponsibilitytoGodforour actions,moralaccountability,staterewardsandpunishments,andthecultivationof virtuesarenecessaryforthewellbeingofthenation(StoryFamiliarExposition). Thecodificationofconvictionthatisreligionhasaredemptiveeffectonmankind, holdingthemaccountabletotheprinciplesofthecreedandbindingtheirimpulses withrespectandreverenceforapurposebeyondthemselves.Inthismanner,

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religionencouragesthemutualresponsibilityofeveryindividualandinstitutionto preserveliberty. ThesourceofLincolnsconcernwasthat,inhisestimation,thepopular convictionofthecitizensdidnotaccuratelyreflectthestandardsofthecreed. Perhapsheunderstoodthatcuttingtotheirheartsandsoulswithrenewedvision wastheonlywaytopropelthenationbackintothemovementstageinsteadof surrenderingittothemonumentstage. Hedidsonotbypromotinganewcreed,butanewinterpretationofthe originalstandardthatisexemplifiedintheDeclarationandappliedinthe Constitution.Lincolnsoughttobringtheseprinciplesnotonlytothemindsofthe citizens,buttopenetratetheirheartsaswell.Ultimately,heintendedtoinfluence andmotivatetheconvictionsofthepeopleto,inturn,upholdratherthandilutethe creed. Further,Lincolnwasnotestablishingacompetingentityforthesoulsofman.

Thereligioussystemstowhichthecitizensadheredatthetimewereandare sufficientforthespiritualconditionofthenation.10Lincolnproposedasimilar,but notidentical,systemsufficientforthepoliticalconditionofthenation.Nevertheless, themonumentaltaskofredeemingthenationbyrefiningtheconvictionsofits citizensremained.

10ThoughIwoulddaretoassertthattheJudeoChristiansystemofbeliefisthe

solelysufficientsourceofreligiousandpoliticalhealth,thenatureofpersonal convictiondemandsthatIrecognizeotherpersuasionsregardingreligious sufficiencyaswell.

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5.3IndoctrinationandEducation Thechallengethereinisalsoderivedfromthetensionbetweenconviction andcreed.Lincolnwasfacedwiththeneedtochangethenatureofsocietyby changingthenatureofitspeople.Inordertodoso,hehadtostrikethetender balancebetweenindoctrinationandeducation.Perhapsthisbalanceisacquiredby seekingtorefineinsteadofdisplacethecurrentconvictionsofthepeople.Thus, Lincolnhadtoconveythereverenceforthelawsinamannerthatwouldinvokea responsefromthepeoplewithoutexpectingtheindividualcitizentoachievethe sameendindependently. Kantsaid,acertainmechanismisrequiredbymeansofwhichsomeofits membersmustconductthemselvesinanentirelypassivemannersothatthroughan artificialunanimitythegovernmentmayguidethemtowardpublicends.For Lincoln,thepoliticalreligionwasthemechanismbywhichheguidedthepeople towardpublicends.ThoughKantwouldcontendthatLincolnsapproachwas indoctrination,onemustrememberthatpassivityisrootedinthelackofindividual convictionratherthanbeingimposedbytheinstitution.Thoughanationofpassive peopleisripeforatyranttorisetothethrone,Lincolnsgoalwastoreversethe patternofpassivitybystimulatingnotrestrictingthedevelopmentofconviction. Evenso,Madisonwrote,Areverenceforthelawswouldbesufficiently inculcatedbythevoiceofanenlightenedreason(Federalist49).Atfirstglance,this statementcouldsuggestthatthegovernmentmustindoctrinateinordertoachieve itsownends.Butthosewhoaretrulyenlightened(atleast,bydefinitionoftheterm usedbyKantandMadison,)resideonthefringesofsociety,notatitscore.Their

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thoughts,however,canpowerfullyinfluencepopularopinionandthus,the interpretationofthecreeditself.Theseindividualswouldbemostgainfully employedineducatingotherssotheeducatedmaydeterminewhetherornotto applytheideasoftheenlightened. Madisoncontinued,themostrationalgovernmentwillnotfindita superfluousadvantagetohavetheprejudicesofthecommunityonitsside. Ultimately,thegovernmentmustallocateitsresourcestowardeducation,letting enlightenmentcultivatereverenceforthecreedwithoutimposingitscreedupon them.Forenlightenmentisabyproductofthecreeditself. Kantadvocatedthisideabysayingthatintellectualimmaturity(theopposite ofenlightenment,)isselfimposedwhenitscauseliesnotinlackofunderstanding, butinlackofresolveandcouragetouseitwithoutguidancefromanother.Sapere Aude!Havecouragetouseyourownunderstanding!thatisthemottoof enlightenment. Thebeautyofthecreedfromwhichourfoundingdocumentsarederivedis thatitpromotesintellectualfreedomandfacilitatesthefreeuseofones understanding.Butwhenthecitizensfailtoupholdthispersonalresponsibility,the conditionofthenationdeclines,andthegovernmentisoftenpromptedtoeducate thepeopleonceagainonthecreedfromwhichtheirconvictionsarederivedand refined.Itisthepeoplesroletoapplytheireducation,howevertheysochoose, lettingtheirreasonguidethemtotheprinciplesofthecreedandtheirsoul,to reverence.

Wright 32 Lincolnconcluded,Reason...mustfurnishallthematerialsforourfuture

supportanddefense.Letthosematerialsbemoldedintogeneralintelligence,sound morality,and,inparticular,areverencefortheConstitutionandlaws(Lyceum Address). 5.4Commitment,Politics,andReligion Commitmenttothecreed,then,isnotmindlesssurrender,butmindful conviction.Theroleofthegovernmentistorespecttheopinionsofmankindby promptingtheperpetualreviewoftheseopinions,especiallyoncetheconditionof thenationbeginstodecline.Whenconvictionsaredeeplyrootedandsharply advocatedthroughtheintellectualcourageofthepeople,thegovernmentisheld accountabletothecreed,whichhappenstoopposeinstitutionalindoctrination.For, Whileeverastateoffeelingsuchasthisshalluniversallyorevenverygenerally prevailthroughoutthenation,vainwillbeeveryeffort,andfruitlesseveryattempt, tosubvertournationalfreedom(LyceumAddress).Indeed,freedomissubverted whenoneorbothpartiesrelegatesitsresponsibilitytoupholdthecreed. Consequently,thenationbeginstoslipintothemachineormonumentstagesof nationaldecline. Thenotionofthepoliticalreligionisadangerousoneiftakenlightly. ReinholdNiebuhrwritesthathistorically,itisimpossibleforaleadertoplaythe simultaneousroleofreligiousandpoliticalheadofanation(128).Itisessentialto establishthatpoliticalandspiritualreligionsarenotequalinpower,butequalin necessityforahealthysociety.Lincolnrightlyheldtheviewthat"religiondoesnot

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servepolitics,butthereverserepublicangovernmentisitselfagreatreligious institution;inhisownwordstheonlygreaterinstitutionisthechurch(Brann49). Thus,thereissomedegreeofunitybutunequalpartnershipbetweenreligion andpolitics.Theprinciplesofthecreedarereligiousindeed,andfurtherestablished intopersonalidentitiesandconvictionsthroughspiritualreligion.Politicaltheorist AlexisdeTocquevillewrote, Libertylooksuponreligionasitscompanioninitsstrugglesand triumphs,asthecradleofitsyounglife,asthedivinesourceofits claims.Itconsidersreligionastheguardianofmorality,moralityas theguaranteeoflawandthesecuritythatfreedomwilllast(56). Lincolnwasawarethatmanyoftheprinciplesupheldbythepoliticalreligion wereidenticaltothoseupheldbythepredominantlyJudeoChristianreligious worldview.ThedangerhereinistheperceptionthatLincolnsintentionwasto extractreligiousprinciplesfromthechurchandintotheownershipofthestate.In fact,hispurposewastobridgethegapbetweenconvictionandcreedbydrawing individual,ofteninvisible,convictionintovisiblecollectiveidentity. Lincolnwoulddosobyconveyingthecommonsourcebetweenreligiousand politicalcreeds.Thiswouldinvokethereverenceforthelawssimilartothe existingreverenceforthereligioussourceofallauthority.Thoughthelawsare merelyinterpretationsofthecreeditself,thisapproachofcultivatingreverence wouldresolvethetensionbetweenconvictionandcreed.Thisisfurtherconfirmed byJohnF.Kennedy:Onlyarespectforthelawmakesitpossibleforfreemento

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dwellintogetherinpeaceandprogress...Lawistheadhesiveforceinthecement ofsociety,creatingorderoutofchaosandcoherenceinplaceofanarchy. Inessence,Lincolnbecamethemanbetweenthemonumentandthe movementbyrenewingthevisionoftheidealAmericanidentity.Hebecameasort ofpoliticalmessiah,seekingtoredeemabrokensocietybyrepairingthe relationshipbetweenconvictionandcreed.Withouttheindividuallyfocusednature ofhiscreed,Lincolnwalksanarrowlinebetweentyrantandliberator.Nevertheless, heproceedstoleadtheemancipationofthenationfromitspassivedefenseofthe creed.Hedoessobyriskingtheunityofthenationitselfthroughtheimpending war.Ifhesucceeds,theconvictionsofthepeoplewillbeunifiedaroundthecommon creedonceagain.Ifhefails,thenationwillceasetoexist. InhisLyceumAddress,Lincolnsaid,LeteveryAmerican,everyloverof liberty,everywellwishertohisposterityswearbythebloodoftheRevolution nevertoviolateintheleastparticularthelawsofthecountry,andnevertotolerate theirviolationbyothers. ItisfrighteningtoobservethelevelofcommitmenttothecreedthatLincoln demandsfromeverycitizen.Butwithouttheuncompromisedapplicationand interpretationofthecreed,theintegrityofAmericanconvictionwillfalterandthe nationsexceptionalidentitywillceasetoexist.SoLincolnsolemnlyledanationinto abrutalwarinordertodefendthecreedthatdefinesAmericanidentity.Likethe bloodofChristbuilttheJudeoChristianchurch,thebloodofthepatriotsbuilta nation.Onethingiscertain:theshiftfrommonumenttomovementrequiresa

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manamanlikeChrist,Lincoln,orKing,11toactasasacrificeforthe reconciliationofarelationship,andtheresurrectionofhiscause. Oncethesacrificehasbeenmadeandthecausehasgainedtheallegianceof thepeople,theirreverenceisconfirmedbycommitment.Yetanotherparallelcanbe drawnbetweenpoliticalandJudeoChristianreligionsinthenecessityofcovenant toestablishandpreserveunity.Thoughthehistoricalsignificanceofcovenantis deeplyintricate,forthispurposeitwillsufficetosaythatacovenantisan irrevocablepromise,arelationshipestablishedthroughthebloodofasacrifice.Ina way,LincolninvitedtheAmericanpeopletoreenterintothecovenantoftheir citizenshipbyofferingthebloodofthepatriotsandultimately,hisownbloodto reconcilethedividebetweenconviction(theindividuals)andcreed(theinstitution ofthestate). 6.Conviction,Creed,andCovenant Thecovenantrelationshipdefinestheexternalidentityandreflectsthe internalidentityofitsmembers.Itbindsthemembersintosacrificialrelationship forthebenefitoftheother;despiteoreventhroughanydisagreementstheymay stillhold.Covenantisenteredthroughconvictionandpreservedthroughcreed. JaffarelatestheconceptoftheBiblicalcovenantestablishedthroughChrist totheAmericancreed,saying,InJesus,weseethecommunityofbloodtransformed intoacommunityoffaith.ThroughJesus,God'spromisestoAbrahambecome

11Thoughthecausesofeachoftheseexamplesaredistinctandunequalintheir

gravity,theircommonfactoristheneedforreconciliationbetweenabodyof individualsandadivinestandard.

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promisestoallmankind.Inrespecttothosepromises,itcannowbesaid,"thatall menarecreatedequal(150). ThepromiseoftheAmericancovenantisthattheindividualandthe institutionwillappropriatelysacrificeinordertopreservethecreedoffreedom, justice,liberty,andequality.Thiscreeditselfdrawsthenationofforeigners together,establishingequalityandlibertyofdiverseconvictions.Thecreedconveys coreprinciplesaroundwhicheverycitizensconvictionscanrevolve,andthe covenantconfirmsthecommonidentityestablishedthroughthecreed.Lincolnsaid thateverycitizen,regardlesshowdifferent,caneachlookuponthefounding documentsandseetheirownidentityinitsreflection.Hesaidtheseprinciplesare thefatherofallmoralprincipleinthem,andthattheyhavearighttoclaimitas thoughtheywerebloodoftheblood,andfleshoftheflesh,ofthemenwhowrote thatDeclaration,andsotheyare(qtd.inJaffa150151).Essentially,Lincoln establishedthepoliticalreligionastheAmericancovenant. ReinholdNiebuhr,however,disagreeswiththispresumption.Citing(the figureinGreekmythology)12Antigonescivildisobediencethatultimatelyledtoher demise,hewrites,Allrationalresolutionsofsuchtragicdilemmaswhichpretend thatahigherloyaltyisnecessarilyinclusiveofalowerone,orthataprudent compromisebetweencompetingvaluescanalwaysbefound,arefalse(157). Essentially,Niebuhrcontendsthattheconflictbetweennationalcreedand
12Insummary,therulerCreonordersAntigonesbrotherPolynicestodeathfor

treason.WhenPolynicesisdeniedaproperburialbecauseofhiscrime,Antigone disobeysCreonsbanonmourningforherbrotherbyclaimingdivinelawgivesher therighttoburyPolynices.Thus,sheprovokedherownpunishmentbyinvokinga higherstandardthantherulerslaw.

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individualconvictioncannotandperhapsshouldnotberesolved.Heimplies thatthisconflictshouldbeembracedratherthanplacatedthroughamanufactured resolutionorinterpretation.Thusinvokesthecovenantthatbalancesinsteadof resolvesthetensionbetweenconvictionandcreed,notbysimpleagreementbut costlysacrifice.ThoughLincolnseemstohavesucceededinrevivingthebalance betweenconvictionandcreed,perhapsthereasonbehindAntigonesfailuretodoso istheunwillingnessofhergovernmenttoreachaconsensus.Indeed,ifthebalance betweenconvictionandcreedshouldbeachieved,thegovernmentmustbewilling tosacrificesomethingaswell. Thenecessityofsacrificepreservesthemutuallydependentrelationship betweenconvictionandcreed.Bothentitiesmustholdtheotheraccountabletothe necessarybalanceofthecovenant,thoughoftenuncomfortable.Theweightofthis responsibilityfallsmainlytotheindividualsandtheirconvictions,sincetheseare dynamicbutthenaturallawfromwhichthecreedisderivedisconstant. Thenationalcreedshouldmaintainacertaindegreeofconstancythrough governmentthatisnotchangedthroughlightandtransientcauses(Declarationof Independence).Thepoliticalreligionassertstheindividualsreverenceforthe nationalcreedwhilesimultaneouslyholdingitaccountabletothedivinecreed. Indeed,itisessentialthattheindividualcitizensactivelycultivateandadvocate theirconvictionsinrelationtotheculturaldimensionsthatmoldthem. ThoughitiseasytopresumethatLincolnseekstoquenchthepowerof conviction,infact,thepoliticalreligioncallsforwellfoundedconvictiontostepinto itsroleasthefuelofthecreed.Evenso,becauseofhumandepravity,thecreedmust

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holdconvictionsaccountabletotheneedsofahealthysociety,whichincludethe principlesoffreedom,justice,liberty,andequality.Becauseamanoftenconfuses unrighteouspersonaldesirefortherighteouscausethatisconviction,thecreed mustserveasastandardbywhichthesetendenciesarejudged.Bythecreed,heldin reverencebytheindividualsvoluntaryentranceintothecovenant,thenationis preservedasindivisible,withliberty,andjusticeforall. Inlightofthesedelicatedistinctions,ReinholdNiebuhrconcludesthatthe alternativestothelackofprudentcompromise,willproveuponclosescrutinyto involveadubioussacrificeofsomecherishedvalue;inthisinstancethesecurityof ourcivilization(157).Onceagain,thenecessityofasacrificetheman,orinthe caseofanation,menforthecovenant(thepoliticalreligion)toservebetween themonumentandthemovementisconfirmed. 6.1TheVisionoftheGood Butwhatmotivatesonetoenterintoasacrificialcovenantrelationship? Perhapsitisthevisionofthegoodanideologicalstandardofwhothenationcould become.Thevisionofthegoodisthedesiretobridgethegapbetweenwhatisand whatcouldbe.AccordingtocommunicationexpertNancyDuarte,bothLincoln andKingmotivatedtheirmovementsbyclearlycontrastingthedifferencebetween whatisandwhatcouldbeintheirmostremarkablespeeches.Thevisionthey conveyedstirreduptheconvictionsofthepeopleintoadesireforprogress,which camewithinreachthroughLincolnandKingsredefinedinterpretationofthecreed. Butprogressrequiresintegrationofpast,present,andfuturenational identity.Thepast,becauseonemustunderstandthefoundationlaidbythefounders

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inordertodeterminewhatthenationcanbecome.Kendallnotesthatdeparture fromthepoliticaltraditiondestroy(s)whatweunderstandtobeourwayoflifeand replace(s)itwithatale(designed)tofoolapeopletodespisetheirpastand thereforedespisethemselves(Bates).Understanding,accepting,andrelatingthe pastidentityinfluencesthefutureidentitybecauseitdeterminesthepresent identity.Inotherwords,authenticityisnotaboutoriginality,buthowyourelateto thetraditionandwhatyoumakeofitfromthere(Mitchell).Indeed,themanand themovementmustnotforgetthememoryofthemonument,lesttheyforgetthe resurrection. Progressitselfisaficklefriend.Itiswrappedwithinthemireofthevisionof thegoodandhowanyparticularentitymaydefinegood.Thetyrantmayconsider hispowergood,whilethecitizenmayconsiderhislibertygood.Thevisionofthe goodisdefinedbytheculturaldimensions,whichincludebeliefsandvaluesadopted byreligion.Thesedimensions,asawhole,constructindividualandcollective identityaswell.Thus,thevisionofthegoodisatypeofculturalideologythataffects butisrefinedbyindividualandcollectiveidentity. Ideology,however,isatypeofcreedwithinitself.Itencompassesthe

doctrinesandbeliefsofabodyofindividuals,motivatingtheformationofidentity, which,inturn,formsit.Thedifferencebetweenideologyandcreedisthatthecreed providesastandardthatpreexistspersonalbelief,whileideologyshifts,through time,withpersonalbelief.TheAmericancreedoffreedom,justice,liberty,and equalityprovidesthestandardbywhichideologycanbemeasured.

Wright 40 ReinholdNiebuhrcontendsthatthecreedisinplacetopreventthe

corruptionofthegood(128).Further,hewrotethatthecureforapretentious idealismthatis,amanfocusedratherthanstandardaccountableideologyisa concernforboththeselfandtheotherinwhichtheself,whetherindividualor collective,preservesadecentrespectfortheopinionsofmankind,derivedfroma modestawarenessofthelimitsofitsownknowledgeandpower(148).Thus,the creeditself,ratherthantheegooftheindividual,shoulddefinethevisionofthe goodfortheAmericanpeople.LincolnandKingbreathedlifeintoamovementby renewingtheAmericanvisionofthegooddespitecurrentideology. ThecaveatofLincolnsintentionstorestoreAmericanidentityisthatnoone canpredictthelongtermconsequencesofcurrentmovements.Manymovements becomemachinesandmonumentsbecausetheyarenolongercompatiblewith currentideology,culturaldimensions,andultimately,identity.Becausethelong termimpactofcurrentideologyisimmeasurableandoftenunpredictable,one cannotnecessarilyfaultthemanwhobeganthemovementifitsconsequences areunintendedandunpredictable.Thisisespeciallytruewhentheconsequencesof themovement,thoughnotasidealasonceintended,arelessthanconsequencesof neglectingthecausewouldhavebeen. Anexampleofthisdifficultyisthebeliefthatmoderndaydisplacementof religiousinstitutionsanduncertaintyoftheroleofreligioninsocietyarerootedin Lincolnsideaofpoliticalreligion.Perhapsthisblurringofidentitybetweenpolitics andreligionultimatelyresultedincurrentconfusionthroughalteringour perceptions,norms,andvaluestotheircurrentstate.Thoughperhapsthisistrue,

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theindividualcitizenshavetheresponsibilitytoconstantlyredefinetheirideology relativetothecurrentenvironmenttotheindividualcitizens. Chestertonwrites,Wearenotalteringtherealtosuittheideal.Weare alteringtheideal:itiseasier...thisisexactlythepositionoftheaveragemodern thinker(70).Indeed,itisuptothecitizentotaketheprinciplesofthecreedandthe causeofthemovementandperpetuallyapplythemtotheircurrentperceptionof reality.Thoughtheresultswillbeimperfectbecausethepeoplethatcreatethemare imperfect,divineandhumaninterventionareoftennecessarytopreserve convictionandcreed.ThiswasthecasewhenLincolnestablishedthepolitical religiontopreservetheintegrityoftheAmericanidentity. Further,animportantdistinctionshouldbemadeinthedefinitionofidentity.

Thefoundingdocumentsdefinethevisible,externalidentityofthenation,while convictiondefinestheinvisible,internalidentityoftheindividualsandultimately, thenation.Becauseconvictionsarerefinedbythecreed,theyshareacommon sourceandtreadoncommonground,thoughresidingindifferentdwellings.Neither shouldrelegateitsresponsibilitytoupholdandreveretheother,forbothdefineand inspirethevisionofthegood,andconsequently,nationalprogress. 6.2MutualResponsibility Madisonconveyedthemutualresponsibilitybetweenconvictionandcreed: Agovernmentderivingitsenergyfromthewillofthesociety,and operating,bythereasonofitsmeasures,ontheunderstandingand interestofthesociety...isthegovernmentforwhichphilosophyhas

Wright 42 beensearchingandhumanitybeenfightingfromthemostremote ages.(qtd.inJaffa121)

Inotherwords,convictionismaintainedbycreed,andcreedismaintainedby conviction.Therebirthofthisbalance,facilitatedbythepoliticalreligion,yieldsthe resurrectionoftheAmericanidentitythatwasoriginallyintendedbythefounders andultimatelyessentialtolongtermnationalprosperity. Thebeautyofthepoliticalreligionisthatitrefocusestheperspectiveofthe individualtowardahighercreedwhilekeepingthesouloftheindividualandof thenationintact.Convictionsreflecttheinvisible,individualidentitywhilethe foundingdocumentsarethevisiblemanifestationofthenationalidentity establishedthroughthecreed.Asnecessaryastheinterpretationofthecreedmay be,convictionistheessentialadvocateofthenationsheartandsoul,whichis necessarytopreventthemovementfrombecomingamachine. Theheartandsoulofthenationmustremainintactthroughfreeexpression andsufficientrepresentationofconvictionorthenationispronetodeclinethrough inabilitytoadapttothenationsdynamicidentityandroleinarapidlychanging world.Thoughtheprinciplesofthecreedareprerequisitesforsaving(the civilization),ReinholdNiebuhrcontendsthattheprimarycauseofnationaldecline wouldbethatthestrengthofagiantnationwasdirectedbyeyestooblindtoseeall thehazardsofthestruggleandtheblindnesswouldbeinducednotbysome accidentofnatureorhistorybutbyhatredandvainglory(174).Whenthe relationshipbetweenconvictionandcreedbecomesunbalanced,identityrolesalso becomeskewed,causingunfoundedprideorunproductiveinsecurity.Convictions

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reflecttheconditionofthenationspeople.Keepingtheseconvictionsalivethrough representation,yetactivelyrefiningthembythecreed,preventsnationaldeclineby continuouslyrenewingawarenessofthetrueconditionofthenationandits relationshiptoothers. AccordingtoReinholdNiebuhr,thepoliticalreligioncovenantis necessarybecauseitadvocatesthedignityofindividualconvictionsoncetheyare redeemedbythedivinesourceofthecreed.Ironically,thedivinecreedfromwhich bothreligiousandpoliticalcreedsarederivedrequirestheindividualsurrenderof onesownrightsinordertoultimatelyreceivethemthroughthecreeds preservationofindividualdignity.ReinholdNiebuhrwrites,Insofarashefinds fulfillmentwithinsocietyhemustabatehisindividualambitions.Hemust"dieto self'ifhewouldtrulylive(62).Themutualserviceoftheothersbenefitisacritical elementofthecovenantrelationship,andwithoutit,nosocietycanovercomethe progressionfrommovementtomonument.Thisinherenthumilityinanations citizenryyieldsanationalidentitythatappliesfreedom,justice,liberty,andequality throughservanthood.Thatisthegoalofpoliticalreligion,anditisfeasibleonlybya nationalcreedthatisderivedfromandaccountabletoadivinesourceofitsclaims, (deTocqueville). Thismorallibertyisdictatedbycreedandmaintainedbyconvictionasthe properendandobjectofauthority.Thecitizensroleistocultivateconvictions accordingtothedivinecreedandholdthenationalcreedaccountabletoit.The politicalreligionisthemechanismbywhichthisisaccomplished.Itiseffective becauseitreflectsthemodeloftheonlygreaterinstitution(LincolnLyceum

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Address).Thegreaterinstitutionisthechurch,alastingmovementestablishedby themanChrist,whosoughttofurtherfreedom,justice,liberty,andequality throughtruth(NewInternationalVersion,Jn.8:32).Thetruththatheincarnatedis thesametruthinherentinthedivinecreedfromwhichreligiousandpoliticalcreeds arederived. Mutualservicebetweenconvictionandcreedpreservesacommonidentity forgenerations,constantinitspurposethoughdynamicinitsapplicationtoits environment.Thisserviceisaccomplishedbyfaithinthedivinecreed,which conveystheidealdignityandidentityforthenation.Thisrequiresrepentance personalandnationalhumilitydrivingachangeofdirectionoffalseperceptions andassumptionsregardingthenatureandrolesoftheindividualandthestate. ReinholdNiebuhrsays,Suchrepentanceisthetruesourceofcharity;andweare moredesperatelyinendofgenuinecharitythanofmoretechnocraticskills(150). Charityisintertwinedamongthecreedsprinciplesoffreedom,justice, liberty,andequality.Indeed,theseprinciplesareimpossibletomaintainwithoutit. Acharitableattitudeisreinforcedbyreligion,andLincolnsoughttotapintothis redemptiveinfluenceofreligiononindividualcharacterbypromotingthepolitical religion.Thoughreligionitselfdoesnotredeem,theredeemingsourceofthe religiouscreedisthesamesupplieroftheprinciplesthatdefinethepoliticalcreed. Thus,thisredemptiveroleofthecreedssourcecaninfluencepoliticsandreligion alike.

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7.LightingtheBeaconofAmericanIdentity

Ultimately,thepoliticalreligionrefinestheinternalandexternal

perceptionsoftheAmericanidentity.Becausethecovenantrelationshipbetween convictionandcreedevokesreverenceforthecreedandrespectforconviction,the mutualdependenceoftheentitiesthereinevokesacertaindegreeofhumilityon behalfoftheunifiedwhole.Thishumilitynotonlysecuresthecovenantrelationship, butalsoextendsamessageofinvitationtothosewhoholddeartheconvictionsof freedom,justice,liberty,andequality.Thesearetheprinciplesforwhichyourtired, yourpoor,yourhuddledmassesyearningtobreathefree(Lazarus)13cometothe UnitedStatesofAmericatoenjoy. EarlycolonistJohnWinthropalsorelatedthepreservationoftheAmerican creedtotheenduringidentityofthenationascommonlyperceivedbothwithinand beyonditsborders.HecontendedthattheprinciplesoftheAmericancreed though,tohim,theywereprimarilytheprinciplesofthereligiousPuritancreed madethenewAmericancivilizationexceptional.Byactivelyupholdingthecreedof freedom,justice,liberty,andequalitybykeepingtheArticlesofourCovenant,with thedivinesourceofthecreed,then:weshallbeasaCityuponaHill,theeyesofall peopleareuponus;sothatifweshalldealfalselywithourGodinthisworkwehave undertakenandsocausehimtowithdrawhispresenthelpfromus,weshallbe madeastoryandabywordthroughtheworld.
13Thepoem,TheNewColossus,isinfusedwithmeaningregardingtheAmerican

identity.TheStatueofLiberty,calledThemotherofExiles,inthepoem,servesasa representativetoincomingimmigrantsthatinthisnation,thereisliberty.The covenantrelationship(whichisoftenaccompaniedbyfireintheOldTestament), betweenconvictionandcreedkeepsthelampoflibertyburningsothatthosein darkness(tyranny)mayenterintolight(liberty).

Wright 46 ThoughLincoln,bynomeans,intendedtoestablishatheocracyoraLincoln

ocracythroughtheideaofpoliticalreligion,heunderstoodtheredeemingnatureof thedivinecommonsourceofthereligiousandpoliticalcreeds.Byintegratingthe twoentities,hecreatedanationwhosegodisthecreed,(anditsdivinesourceifone sochoosestoacknowledgeit),derivedfromadivinesourceandinterpretedbya societyundergoingperpetualredemption,andinevitably,rebirth.Lincolnperceived thenationquicklymovingtowardthemonumentstage,andhefacilitatedits rebirthbysacrificinginsufficientinterpretationsofthecreed. RonaldReaganassertsthatthecityuponahillismaintainedthroughthe convictionsofthepeople.Afterlosinganelection,Reagansaidtohisstaff, Theindividualsonthisstagemaychange.(But)thecauseisthere,and thecausewillprevailbecauseitisright.Don'tgiveupyourideals. Don'tcompromise.Don'tturntoexpediency.Anddon'tforheaven's sake,...getcynical...recognizethattherearemillionsofAmericans outtherewhowantittobeacityuponahill.(qtd.inNoonan126) Regardlessoftheindividualsonthestageofthenationwhetherin

governmentorinthegrassrootstheAmericancause,definedbyitscreed,isits prevailingidentity.Aslongashercitizensdonotfailtoupholdtheconvictionsofthe creed,thenthenationwillremainexceptional.Indeed,shewillremainacityupona hill,invitingalltheexilesoftheearthtocome,tosacrifice,andtoenjoythe covenantrelationshipbetweenconvictionandcreed.

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8.ANewBirthofFreedom Fundamentally,thepoliticalreligionwasthemovementthatLincoln,the

man,employedtofacilitatetherebirthofthenationsidentity.Thecovenantofthe politicalreligionwasestablishedthroughthebloodofeachindividualwho respondedtothemovementbyredefiningtheirpersonalconvictionsabodyof individualslayingdowntheirrightsinordertoreceivethemagainingreater measure.Asthisoccurred,theenduringidentitynationwas,inessence,resurrected onecitizenatatime.Andonthisblood,Lincolnbuiltachurchofsortsunequalto thechurchofChrist,butnonethelessagatheringofindividualstopreserveand furtherthecauseofacommoncreed. AsKingsaid,Wemustcometoseethathumanprogressneverrollsinon wheelsofinevitability(Letter).Justasthebloodofthepatriotsandthesacrificeof convictionyetunredeemedbythecreedplayedacriticalroleinshiftingthenation frommonumenttomovementoncemore,somusteachcitizensacrificehisown inclinationtorestrictthelibertyofothers,orevenhimself,forthesakeofthecreed thatsustainsthenation.InthemidstofthebrutalconflictfortheAmericancreed, Lincolnsaid, Itisratherforustobeherededicatedtothegreattaskremainingbeforeus thatfromthesehonoreddeadwetakeincreaseddevotiontothatcausefor whichtheygavethelastfullmeasureofdevotionthatweherehighly resolvethatthesedeadshallnothavediedinvainthatthisnation,under God,shallhaveanewbirthoffreedomandthatgovernmentofthepeople,

Wright 48 bythepeople,forthepeople,shallnotperishfromtheearth.(Gettysburg Address)

Lincolnasdideverymanwhostoodinthegapbetweenamonumentanda movementperceivedthatwhathadbeenwasnotwhatwasgoingtobe(Stout qtd.inANewAdam).Thepoliticalreligionwasthemechanismbywhichheenacted changebywhichhemadethingsnotasthoughtheywere(KingJamesVersion, Rom.4:17).BythepersonalandvoluntarysacrificeofeachAmericancitizen,the reverenceforthecreedwasestablished.Thoughthiswasandcontinuestobea painfullydangerousprocess,theAmericanidentityandunityremainstodaybecause ofhisintentionalityinpreservingthecreedthroughrefiningAmericanconviction. Today,Lincolnscauseofanewbirthoffreedomresoundsoncemore.The tensionbetweenconvictionandcreedcontinuestomanifestitselfincurrentevents throughthecontinuedprogressionoftheinfluenceofculturaldimensionsupon convictionandtheconsequentialinterpretationofthecreed.Butifthisnation wishestoremainabeaconofthemovementoflibertythroughouttheearth,thenits peoplemustnotneglecttheirpersonalresponsibilitytoupholdthecreedthrough theircontinuouslydevelopingconvictions. PerhapsthenationneedsarebellikeLincolnorKingamanorwomanwho willleadtherebirthoftheAmericanidentity.Ultimately,itiseachcitizens responsibilitytostoketheflameofthelampinthecityuponahillthrough remainingvigilantofhowhisownconvictionsmayneedtoberedefinedinorderto facilitaterenewedreverenceforthecreed.Itiseachcitizensresponsibilityto determinewhathemustsacrificeinordertomaintainthehealthycovenant

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relationshipbetweenconvictionandcreed.Indeed,eachcitizenisthemanwho leadsthewayfrommonumenttomovementbecausethecreeddemandsitof him. GeorgeWashingtonsaid,thesacredfireofliberty,andthedestinyofthe republicanmodelofgovernment,arejustlyconsideredasdeeply,perhapsasfinally staked,ontheexperimententrustedtothehandsoftheAmericanpeople (InauguralAddress).Indeed,itisthecitizensresponsibilitytothecreedthatignites amovementoflibertyfornationsandgenerations.ThatistheAmericanidentity, foundedbythecreedandpreservedbyconviction.Mayweneverforgetthecharge andcautionbyGeorgeBernardShaw:Libertymeansresponsibility.Thatiswhy mostmendreadit.

Wright 50 WorksCited

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TantumeTenebrisReceptumConstabit. Onlywhatiswonfromthedarknesswillstand.