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From observation, I believe America has fallen into a series of myths and heresies (and yes, following certain aspects of Abrahamic teachings and ignoring others IS heresy) that clouds its vision and has eroded our country.

Personally, these observations also lead me to claim that one of the biggest failings of the American Revolution was that our Founding Fathers should have impressed the ideas of Deism among the next generation and curbed the Great Awakening.

Anyway:

On the "spiritual" side, there are several great heresies in the hearts and minds of the so-called "Moral Majority" in the United States, which the idea itself is a myth. Some of the fallacies include:

"The City on the Hill:" The idea that America is the moral paragon is its own form of whitewashing. Given America's actions, we are NOT a moral paragon. Aboriginal Americans like the Lakota and Haudenosaunee would disagree with that moral superiority. As would those of African descent or those who follow other Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Islam). I would also associated this with the reverence for one Christopher Colombus (which recent studies even point out he may have been Portuguese and not Genoan and his 1492 voyage may have secretly aided Portugal) and the actual legacy he represents to non-WSAP Americans (which despite Wikipedia's page, is more than just rich whites but also radicalized working-class whites) is an anthesis to actual Abrahamic vitures.

"Millennialism" - the belief that the coming of God the Son is soon and will lead a 1000 year-reign ahead of Judgement. This flies in the face of what the New Testament says about "no one knows the hour except for the Father." Not to mention...sounds a lot like the beliefs of a Reich who claimed they'd rule for a 1000 years.

"Rapture" - believe that those who are truly righteous are "pulled" from the mortal world ahead of Judgement. Again, this flies against the New Testament. It doesn't mention such a thing. And I'd like to believe if that happens, it will happen for those they don't expect.

"Wealth" - In a general sense with the "Prosperity Gospel" as a specific case. The idea that being a good Christian will bring them wealth and prosperity. This is also antithetical to actual New Testament belief. This is also a smokescreen for the unethical practices of said adherents. This is one of the worst deviations from actual faith as the core of the "Conservative" movement use this to gain power. This also goes against an actual Christian society being closer to a socialist economy with well-regulated capitalistic elements (read Acts or listen to Bishop Baron).

"Biblical Literalism" - this one goes hand-in-hand with one of America's fallacies of "Originalism" (aka the Federalist Society's interpretation of the Constitution) as it's very much the same thing. Taking what's written as literal law. If that's so, Shouldn't that mean the Bible itself should be banned by "Puritans" due to some of its spicier passages? Wouldn't that mean these people are just as much Jihadis as Islamic Fundamentalists (as there are passages that are "convert or die")? Does this cover their morally sick behaviors? Like the Constitution, the Bible (and Torah, and Quran) should not be interpreted literally but rather through the eyes of the here and now and how to be Christlike based on that.

Note: I bet you'd anger the "Conservative" base if you call them Jihadis though that is how they act.

"Initiation of Minors" => Initiating children into any religion before they fully understand what they are entering is counter to the concept of God-given free will. Shouldn't those who want to believe be able to do so of their own free will and full understanding and consent? This is one point where a more originalist thought on initiation should be considered. The early Church only initiated adults (partially due to the risk of Roman persecution, of course) and given the restrictions on minors in modern society, maybe it, like porn, vice and war, needs to go back to "adults only."

"Ambivalence on or use of the symbology of hate" - Catholicism in particular is guilty of this. Yes, I am talking about both the us of the fasces within religious organizations but also their ambivalence or lack of zeal of standing up to those symbols of hate. The Papacy sealed its records of its dealings with the Axis for decades hiding their actions. They have not pushed for the Knights Columbus to remove the fasces from their logo or address the painful legacy of their namesake as it relates to the natives. Protestants are equally guilty of this. Especially when dealing with the legacy of American chattel slavery and racism. And for Protestants, this ties into the "City on the Hill" fallacy as well.

"Stifling Reform" - Like republics, communities of faith must evolve. And like the current American Federal Republic, these communities and organizations have stagnated and become stratified. And when a relatively reformist leader stops such movements from being considered, you have to ask what are they hiding or why they refuse to open dialogue. This is in someway related to "Biblical Literalism" but in the form of refusing to listen to different interpretations and finding consensus that meet in the middle or acknowledging they have the better interpretation.

"Rejection of Universalism" - this particularly angers the "Moral Majority" They want to do everything to bury this belief that everyone can be saved. I bet if they could they would try to bury Madeleine L'Engle's books because of her beliefs. This is a belief that should be embraced though with one slight wrinkle. That wrinkle being that those who visited evil and injury to their fellow man would be judged accordingly after they pass. Those who visited harm upon the world should be treated likewise.

And finally "Otherism" - the idea, especially among those not radicalized, the belief that the Abrahamic God will sort everything out and blinding accept that they "cannot change." Or more insidiously, blaming others besides themselves for misfortunes both actual and perceived and NOT taking personal responsibility. Faith must be backed up by works and leading by serving. This thought is also key to a functional representative government. Both require active participation to work well. "Otherism" is the abandonment of that responsibility. "Otherism" is also a dangerous weapon that must be broken.

It is my view if the Abrahamic God visited today, he'd see what we've become (especially the Conservative and "Moral Majority") and with a sad sigh, turn His back, brush the dust off His sandals and move on. And he would not come as a monarch festooned with riches but as one of the "least ones."

I wish I was a fighter and could light that kind of fire. However, my version of the 95 Theses is an act of defiance. I hope it leads to more or at least gets others to actually think. Blind faith is not healthy and we must once again learn to question and debate.

Just remember, some of our fellow humans NEED faith. Some humans NEED to believe in something bigger than themselves. Destroying faith is not the answer though keeping its dogma out of our governments is needed.

And if anyone wants to use this to pull a literal Martin Luther and slap this on the doors of the self-righteous, try and get religious (and mainstream) media to post this or spread it, you're welcome to do so. I just ask to remain anonymous as I do not matter, the message does.

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Archbishop Justin Welby resigns following the damning Makin Report, which revealed decades of abuse by John Smyth and failures in the Church of England’s safeguarding measures. A painful yet crucial step towards accountability and reform.

Visit us at: https://ecspe.org/sex-cover-up-scandal-archbishop-of-canterbury-steps-down-after-makin-report/

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