The difference between pessimism and prophecy

Pessimism is a tool of those who run the systems of wealth and power to make people feel like their involvement won’t make a difference

The results of the New Hampshire Primary showed that Donald Trump got 74% of the Republicans who voted and Nikki Haley got 25% of them. Here is what this means – not rhetorically but factually: A racist fascist, wannabe strongman with absolutely no moral character is now poised – again –  to win the presidential nomination of a major political party in America. 

This is the most dangerous political situation America has seen since the Civil War and may spark another one. And the spiritual danger could be even worse,  as a rising number white evangelical Christians, my own tradition, see Trump as their savior. The gospel of Jesus Christ that brings people together through reconciliation is being abandoned by the ideology and idolatry of Christian nationalism.

So this is a moment when action is imperative,  as a broad coalition of Christian leaders just concluded at our yearly retreat, The Christian ministry of truth–telling, the only thing that Jesus says can set us free from captivity, must be applied now across the spectrum of our politics. We certainly, and more clearly than ever now, have a problem with the extreme Right wanting to take over the nation.

But we have problems on the Left too. I would call it the difference between pessimism and prophecy. Skepticism, cynicism, and pessimism about politics generally, rooted in reasonable dissent from the many flaws of our systems in America, are easily used by the powers that be to incite apathy and withdrawal from political engagement.

Pessimism is a key tool of those who run the systems of wealth and power – including white racial power – to make people feel like their involvement won’t make a difference. Pessimism can breed apathy  just when we need to act. Perceived, small, or even real differences can create fractures in the democratic coalition (small “d”) of the left and center, to the center right, just when we need all of us pulling together for the sake of democracy. A friend recently reminded me of the example of Nelson Mandela, learning the language of his opposing Afikaaners while in prison to help him lead an entire country. But with few leaders like that, she said, we need to find the courage and even heroism of ordinary people to gain the spiritual sustenance to carry us forward now at this critical moment. 

Hopelessness is a real problem in the midst of deep disappointment and despair.  I often feel, along with some of my Black brothers and sisters, that America will never treat African Americans with the respect and equality that they deserve, and are theologically entitled to as equally made in the image of God. And, it must  also be said, many pessimistic people on the white left have yet to fully understand how cynicism can be  a haven of privilege. My beloved mentor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu from the South African struggle, taught me and so many others that hope is not an emotion, a feeling, or a mood. Hope is a choice, a decision that we make because of our faith – no matter how long justice takes and how far we are on the road to it. 

But there are always some on the Left, even the religious Left (which is why I refrain from those binary terms) and on the right, who confuse pessimism with being "prophetic.”

In contrast, genuine prophetic ministry is meant to be truth-telling and justice seeking in the spirit of hope, grace, and humility. The confusion of pessimism with prophecy should make us very mindful of that tendency in this election year as we try to bring together liberal progressives with principled conservatives in a pro-democracy coalition.

Pessimism, hopelessness, and cynicism breeds apathy and hurts our efforts to mobilize and energize people to action. Cynicism plays into the hands of the powers that be to make people withdraw from the political process. That is highlighted in this critical election year, and while we must be open eyed about the real threats we face, we must not allow ourselves to fall into hopelessness. The broad coalitions we need to save the soul of our nation need not to be disconnected by confusing conversations with too many misunderstandings and distortions;but rather to find the common ground we need for the common good. We must not just talk past each other, but to each other – and really listen to one another.

Those who want to both save and fulfill democracy in this next election must live and breathe, speak and preach hope courageously and theologically.  Elections can be fair, voters can turn out and their votes can count, the rule of law can be upheld, and most Americans can support and require peaceful changes of political power. We need hope after discouragement, and always will. Our work can also believe in God’s timing, that God can work through us toward the kind of society we long for. 

Just raging and fighting and blaming is not the way forward, and not what we need going into this critical year. Of course, hateful racial pushback and violent attacks are to be expected.. But how we deal with them is the great task before us and that invokes the vocation of faith communities, who can teach different people the meaning of belonging across our many boundaries.

And this election could become an important reminder of the challenges we still face (despite how far we think we have or have not come), in building that broad pro-democracy coalition. I intend to turn my upcoming book tour for the The False White Gospel into regional town meetings on faith and democracy and, hopefully, as a conversation starter in communities and conversations around the country.

With how dangerous the militant Christian nationalist religion is now, we need to create a better "faith factor" in this election and I dearly hope my book can help with that.  I invite you to pre-order the book now. It is 25% off on Barnes & Noble through January 26. The discount is only available to B&N members but free memberships are available—learn more & sign up here: barnesandnoble.com/membership/.

Don’t be pessimistic, but prophetic, believing that this is God’s work and not just our own. Religion isn’t easy and won’t be this year.

Here is what Flannery O'Connor once said:

What people don't realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross.”

― Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor