Simon Sinek authored an incredible book called “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.” The No MORE BS movement is all about inspiring everyone to take action. We are people who have reached our maximum limit with the problems we see in the world, and we want to see people take action against the tyranny being experienced. I agree with Mr. Sinek; we need the why. We need to know why something is important, why something is being refused, why actions were taken that are illogical, and so much more.
Why discuss religion and politics?
Foundational principles of society revolve around how and what people believe. As they take combined action as a society, the standards of behaviors expected then become the laws of that society. Those laws are standards of codified behavior and restrictions for social inclusion. Why do people abhor thieves; the 10-Commandments form the bedrock of Judaic society and include an admonition, “Thou Shalt Not Steal!” The connection between society beliefs and laws for governing society remains unchangeable in human history. Why was Rome so strong; their codified beliefs (religions) influenced their politics and their social inclusive behaviors (laws) written down for everyone to be held accountable to. The Old Testament reports the same thing occurring in Judaic society post-Egyptian bondage.
I am not advocating a state religion, that is abhorrent to me. I am advocating for the ability to openly discuss the ties between religion and politics to inspire action in people to live their religion and hold their elected representatives to a higher level of conduct publicly and privately. Without the ability to discuss these topics, freedom, and liberty disappear in tyranny and chaos. I do not make this claim lightly; history provides us a perfect example in Egypt post-Jewish bondage, Babylon with the death of strong kings, Rome, and many other empires, city-states, countries, societies.
As Rome began changing from various religions to Christianity/Catholicism, the ability to speak freely was one of the first rights stolen by the government to control the spread of religion. Rome fell! The United Socialist Soviet Republic (USSR) tried to police people’s beliefs, police thoughts and limit speech. The USSR fell. China currently restricts speech and just forced a bunch of speech limiting policies and regulations onto Hong Kong. China will fall. Is the pattern clear; America is a Republic (if we can keep it), and when the ability to discuss topics publicly and openly is restricted, we will join history in falling!
Why do humans create societies?
Humans create societies mainly because we are wired to connect to people who believe as we do. Just as a magnet is attracted to ferrous metals, humans are attracted to like-minded people. Consider the New Testament for a minute, specifically John the Baptist. A person who taught and preached in a wilderness, people, would seek him out to listen to him; these people who heard and chose to believe formed a society of believers. Regardless of how you believe regarding John the Baptist, the societal changes he inspired are historically apt as an example of the influence of like-minded people combining to effect change in an established society. The same principle can be applied to Karl Marx and the growth of communism, Christopher Columbus, and the discovery launched by his adventurous spirit, Joseph Smith Jr. and Martin Luther, who inspired religious societies. Like-minded people are wired to connect, and when they connect, they develop social behaviors, which form the basis to remain included in that society.
I cannot express in words how vital and straightforward this principle is to sustaining government, of the people, by the people, and for the people. When a society is infiltrated with those who refuse to believe in a like manner, principles of assimilation, then that society is headed for trouble. The USSR and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany under the USSR’s control) are perfect examples of positive changes to a body of believers who transformed because others infiltrated the core society, and change occurred. Hong Kong is another excellent example. China invaded the core belief structure through legal treaty and has refused to honor treaty agreements where Hong Kong is concerned, and chaos is too small a word for Hong Kong’s problems.
Why work to inspire action?
Do you, honestly believe, you have the power to change your society? If not, these articles are for you. If so, then these articles should support your efforts and help make your living your ideals and beliefs easier. There is a business principle, place the power to effect change at the lowest level where the most effect can be felt. For example, suppose a customer is asking for a refund. In that case, you place the refund process into the hands of a customer service representative and not a VP. Sure; your refund process will have additional hands for approval and issuing. The power to make the decision must be in the customer service representative’s hands to handle customer claims effectively.
The same principle applies in what we are discussing; your most critical societal actions occur inside the walls of your home with your family. Thus, the power of America’s government is not in the capitals but inside the homes of its citizens. When we, the citizens of democratically elected societies, believe this fact, change will occur in our communities. The Republic of the United States of America is specifically designed to place the maximum amount of power into the lowest level of society, citizens’ homes. Thus, the need to inspire action on a local level, and why America needs YOU! This is also why I believe in and support the NO MORE BS movement. When we stand together, we cannot lose!
Conclusion
While only three why questions have been addressed, these three contain lessons for contemplation and should inspire to action, all because the why has been expressed. No; I have not dived deeply into any of the topics discussed enough to make you a master of these topics; however, I hope I have piqued your interest in these topics and helped form lines of congruence between the issues to aid in improving answers to your why questions. If you have more why questions, please use the comments to send them to me, and I promise I will help answer those why questions. I believe in the power of the people; you are important, and your questions deserve answers. Let’s ask questions and then commit to action. America needs us!
© 2021 M. Dave Salisbury
All Rights Reserved
The images used herein were obtained in the public domain; this author holds no copyright to the images displayed.
DNC-Consulting 