McLean County Times

I get tired of seeing claims by the mainstream media that conservatives have gone rogue. That is, they are becoming increasingly outspoken and are radicalizing the Republican party. The progressive media claim as evidence for this conservatives standing behind former President Trump, resisting gun control, opposing abortion, illegal immigration, the LGBTQIA+ agenda, and whatever else is popular with the elites! The latest claim is that conservative Republicans are “Christian Nationalists.”

The conservative Right is speaking out more than ever because they see the emerging evil in the world – much of it is caused by the progressive Left. The conservative Right is growing increasingly offended and angered by what’s happening across America and in their hometowns. It’s as though Bedford Falls really has become Potterville, as depicted in the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life. I count myself among that number. If this makes me a Christian Nationalist, so be it.

I have frequently been asked by family, friends, acquaintances, and even fellow Party members why I am so outspoken about the present day’s social, political, and moral issues. In response, I reply, “You’re asking the wrong question. The question that needs to be asked is, why are you silent in the face of all the evil we are encountering in the world?”

Something evil is happening with today’s society, and it’s almost biblical in its proportions. The Bible explicitly describes the world we see today: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). That’s just what’s happening. It’s almost as if we are approaching the end of days.

Be that as it may, many conservative leaders often identify various problems as the greatest of moral evils. Some common themes include:

Abortion, Infanticide, and Euthanasia: Many conservative leaders regard these practices as some of the most profound moral evils in contemporary society as they constitute the unjust termination of innocent human life.

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Many conservative leaders perceive drug abuse and addiction as moral wrongs, mainly because of their perceived detrimental effects on individuals, families, and communities.

Crime and Violence: Many conservative leaders stress the significance of maintaining law and order, considering crime and violence both as evil and notable moral concerns that demand attention.

Sexual Immorality: Many conservative leaders voice apprehension over what they see as a rising trend of sexual permissiveness and immorality in society. This includes concerns about objectification of women, pornography, promiscuity, homosexuality, and transgenderism.

Erosion of Traditional Values: Many conservative leaders mourn the decline of traditional values such as reverence for God and love for family and neighbors. Also problematic are out-of-wedlock births that are permeating society.

Secularization and Decline of Marriage: Many conservative leaders see growing threats against marriage and family due to the dramatic drop in marriages in recent decades and the growing threat of same-sex “marriages.”

Decline of Religious Faith: Many conservative leaders perceive the growth of materialism and secularism and the decline of religion. They assert that the absence of faith is an offense against God that contributes to individual and societal decline.

Decline of Personal Responsibility: Many conservative leaders underscore the dwindling sense of personal responsibility and argue that the welfare state encourages dependency instead of promoting self-reliance.

Growing Incivility and Voter Fraud: Many conservative leaders believe that there is a large and growing problem with ignorance about our system of government – now increasingly polarized. Voter fraud is tantamount to election theft, and both religious and natural law tell us that theft is wrong. 

Loss of Patriotism: Many conservative leaders believe that the current border crisis is an intentional effort by the progressive Left to win elections at any cost. To grab and retain political power, they are endangering our country and hypocritically virtue signaling.

How can I, as a conservative Republican, not speak out in protest against such clear and present problems? How can anyone act as though they are willing to see and hear no evil? Dr. Martin Luther King said that history would not record the clammer of bad people but the appalling silence of good people. Elie Wiesel said that hate is not the opposite of love; instead, it is indifference.

The appalling silence of the people in light of what’s happening in today’s society is deafening. History will record the indifference of our people and the cowardice of our so-called leaders whom we once respected, admired, and even revered. If we cannot condemn these obvious evils, we must ask what we are becoming as a society. What does this reveal about the depths of our characters and our religious beliefs?

As I penned this piece, a phrase began to resound in my mind from my college days when I first saw the play Jesus Christ Superstar. These words from the song Hosanna are relevant to the present essay. Its words are those of a dialog between progressives who would shush “the ever-madding crowd,” demanding that we stop calling out the evil as we see it. In a phrase, they would say,

 Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd?

 And in response, conservatives would say:

Nothing can be done to stop the shouting.

If every tongue were stilled, the noise would still continue.

The rocks and stones themselves would start to sing.

It would benefit us to be reminded of what some of the world’s greatest thinkers have had to say about indifference:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” – Jane Goodall

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” – Albert Einstein

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

So, how can those without a public platform speak out on the issues of the day? I suspect most will be reticent to talk with family, friends, acquaintances, and colleagues about the issues. It only takes the courage of our convictions to do so. It also helps to remember the childhood saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

My advice when discussing the day's issues is never to be confrontational. Avoid using the word “you” and emphasize “I.” Don’t tell others they should believe this or do that. Rather, explain why you hold a particular thought or action dear. That way, you are not being offensive. If others want to contradict you, so be it.

Another way to speak out is through the ballot box. There, you can express your opinion in private without fear of contradiction or retribution. What is important to remember is that we should be informed voters. Low-information individuals tend to be low-propensity voters. Those who don’t know the issues are least likely to do anything about it. It is incumbent upon us as faithful citizens to distinguish good from evil and then say or do something about it. Anything less, and we are both complicit with and responsible for evil.