Editors Note: This post came my way through an email generated by David Burton, a Christian and neighbor of Dr. Burton. The piece below is well-written and captures the true spirit of the Christian-Judeo relationship.
Perhaps it is no coincidence that, after a particularly contentious year, that the first night of Chanukah occurs on Christmas (this last occurred in 1959). As American Jews prepare to celebrate Chanukah, which commemorates our struggle for freedom of worship, we should recognize that that our ability to do so is not the norm. Millions of people around the world are being persecuted for practicing their Christian or Jewish faith. As we reflect on our blessings during this holiday season we should consider the historical roots of America whose founders developed a new system of governance that continues to safeguard the rights of minorities to live in freedom and worship as they please.
In the Pledge of Allegiance we “pledge allegiance…to the Republic for which is stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” America was founded by Christian Pilgrims who fled England with the hope of being able to practice their religion without fear of persecution. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the founders of this country were Christian, there is no mention of Christianity (or democracy) in either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. It is incredible that Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the Christian majority, has never been cited by name in a Presidential Inaugural address or in the Thanksgiving Proclamations of Washington or Lincoln. Our founding fathers developed a radical system of governance and deliberately choose to call it a “Republic”, not a “Democracy”. In a “Republic” sovereignty is in each individual, whereas in a “Democracy” sovereignty resides within the group. In other words, barring extenuating circumstances, the rights of the individual supersede those of the majority. This principle extends to the national level where states’ rights are generally prioritized over those of the federal government (thus, we are called the United States [not State] of America). It is ironic that the Electoral College, maligned as an archaic institution that thwarts the will of the people actually serves as an ongoing safeguard to help preserve this balance of power. These are among the many innovations that have enabled minorities to not just be protected but to flourish in this amazing country. However, freedom is not free. No American should take our blessings for granted. Recent events in the Middle East and closer to home in countries such as Venezuela (awash in natural resources) should remind us that poverty and lawlessness are the natural human condition and can quickly destroy our society if we are not vigilant. “Liberty and justice for all” require vigilance and a focus on our obligations–not just our rights—along with respect, gratitude and support to those who daily risk their lives to protect us.
My mother survived the Holocaust in large part because Christians risked their lives to save her. So, I am one of many Jews who want this country to be more Christian and to encourage my fellow Americans to remember the holy roots of the holiday of Christmas. I wish my fellow Americans a Merry Christmas and hope that you will feel free to extend the same greeting to me. I hope that more storeowners will choose to play Christmas songs (many of which [including the all-time favorite “White Christmas”] were composed by Jews) in their stores so that I can hear the uplifting melodies as I shop.
America, like each of us, is not perfect. This past election has highlighted many of the issues that continue to divide us. Hopefully, we can reflect on the lessons that our respective religions teach us and focus on our common Judeo-Christian values so we can work together to make the American Dream more accessible to all. Let us pray that the lights of the Christmas trees and Menorahs will also remind us of the darkness that we must fight to maintain our freedom and of the sacrifices of the many who have died so that America can continue to be a beacon of freedom and hope.
Seth Kaufman, M.D.
The West Clinic, Memphis, TN
