Recap
In part I, I asked and answered what Christ means for the kingdom of God to be within us. We learned that Christ's statement was about personal responsibility. When Christ says that the kingdom of God is within us, he is teaching that God's kingdom comes to us when we transform ourselves. We found the answer to the question by looking at three pieces of evidences: 1) What Christ taught during his ministry; 2) the theme of the Bible; and 3) the message to Ezekiel about God's regathering of Israel.
Having learned that the kingdom of God requires an inner transformation, I then looked at what this means for LDS saints in respect to the establishing of Zion. The purpose of the discussion about Zion was to show that Zion will only be established when people are ready to establish it. And people will be ready to establish it when they have changed who they are to become Zion people. I then concluded by pointing to Christ's Sermon on the Mount for what it means and looks like to be a Zion people.
In this part, my purpose is to explore this idea of need for inner transformation by comparing it to current events and movement. I've broken down these movements into two categories
1. The Leftist Movement Against Systemic Racism
2. The Right-Wing Movement For Trump [1]
For this post I want to explore the underlying ideology and worldview of each of these movements and then ask how does what they espouse relate to what Christ taught and what this means in general.
I. The Leftist Movement Against Systemic Racism
Today we have heard more statements about the United States being a racist country. These assertions are not necessarily new. The only difference is that they are now getting widespread attention and acceptance. The core assertion is that the United States is racist because its system has produced disproportionate outcomes for different races. And because the United System as a whole as done this, it is labeled systemically racist. This is how a person or country can be racist, despite not having any individual prejudice against a person of color.
II. Critical Theory
However, before we evaluate this belief of systemic racism, it's important to explore where this idea came from. This is because by understanding the theoretical framework that undergirds systemic racism, we are better able to evaluate it. That theoretical framework is called critical theory.
Critical theory first became popular in the early 19th century and was developed in order to provide an explanation for why Marxism failed. Although Marxism spread throughout eastern Europe and Asia, many Marxist were surprised that it did not become widely accepted and adopted around the world. The Marxist were particularly shocked because they reasoned that if the worker was oppressed, as Marx argued, he would surely want to fight for his freedom.
In seeking to solve the problem, a group of Marxist (particularly German scholars) argued that the reason why Marxism never took hold was because the workers were ignorant of their true position. And this was because the system was designed to keep the workers ignorant. These scholars argued that the system, with it advertising, sports, film, and distractions, served to hypnotize the masses, rendering them ineffective for the cause of Marxism. After all, why seek for a different system if the people enjoy their current one. Thus in order to create Marxist revolution, the people needs to know they're held captive.
Thus the Marxists argued that the reason for the failure for Marxism to take hold around the world was due to the control of the dominant class -- the elites, capitalists, and politicians -- who strove to keep the masses ignorant. This theory was called critical theory, because those who espoused this belief were critical of the existing structures, and they showed their critique by questioning every aspect of the system.
Under this theory there were two sets of groups: the dominant and subordinate class. Those in the later had control over the institutions of society. And because they had control were able to indoctrinate the masses. Thus under critical theory, the legitimacy of western institutions (government system, economic system, social norms, science, etc) were called into question because those institutions were controlled by the rich and wealthy.
In fact, critical theorists went so far to argue that science is merely the furthering of dominant class values. Science, in others words, was a system used by the dominant class to further cement its power and control. And logic and reason were also considered attributes of the dominant class and therefore were challenged. Thus, the ultimate point of Critical Theory is that there is no such thing as objective truth. Instead, what we consider truth is merely the result of the dominant class telling us so -- i.e., socially constructed.
III. Critical Race Theory
Critical Race Theory spawned out of the Critical Theory dominant vs. subordinate class dynamic, but with an added variation. Under Critical Theory the issue is between classes. The dominant class is the rich class, the subordinate is the poor class. What Critical Race Theory does is argue that the real power dynamic is between "whiteness" and "blackness" [as a note: there is also queer critical theory and feminist critical theory, which make a similar argument but along the lines of sexual orientation and gender, respectively].
Under a Critical Race Theory, whiteness represents the dominant power structure. Thus critical race theorists aren't concerned with the rich. Instead, they are concerned with white people, who use their position as whites to further their interest in society. This furthering of interest can be both active and passive. Critical race theorist argue that because whiteness dominates all aspects of society to the disadvantage of people of color, everything in society is racist. Racism is the norm, not the exception. Thus whatever a white person does is racist. White people operate in that system to advantage themselves.
Black Lives Matter ("BLM") is one group that has used Critical Race Theory. Thus when they argue that the United States is suffering from white supremacy, they are arguing that the systems and institutions are the problem. This is why they call for the abolishing of the police. They believe that the police need to be abolished because they operate in a white supremacist system. In other words, the police force is inherently racist. And because it's inherently racist, it needs to go.
Moreover, BLM and other social justice activists also see the need for reparations. Reparations serves to remedy the past injustices committed against African Americans for slavery. By making amends in the form of financial remuneration, these activists argue that American can repair the past injustices.
In addition to these efforts, there will likely be efforts for more inclusion of African Americans in the institutions. We're starting to see this form many business leaders, such as J.P Morgan Chase, who have committed themselves to focusing on racial equity within their business. We've also seen this push for inclusion from the Oscars, who put for a list of criteria which future films are be judged by. The idea being that the criteria will include people of color and marginalized people in general. And in California, the state is voted to strike anti-discrimination language from their Constitution, thereby allowing businesses and government entities to discriminate ON the basis of race. This would likely look like businesses and entities being able to hire someone because they're black, despite having poor qualifications.
IV. The Pro-Trump Movement
Before we look at one major problem with the leftist movement against systemic racism, let's now turn to another movement on the other end of the spectrum -- the movement the Pro-Trump Movement.
When I talk about the movement for Trump, I am not referring to any Trump voter. Instead, I am referring to the staunch and devoted Trump voter. Those who vote for Trump because they believe that he will save them from all their problems.
Although this movement is not ideologically backed as the leftist movement, there are a few features that are worth exploring.
One of these features is that many in the Trump Movement are also followers of QAnon (often referred to as "Q"). Q is a conspiracy movement that has been promulgated on the internet -- on YouTube and chat rooms -- that first started on 8chan, an online chat-board.
Central to the Q movement is the belief that elites (business owners and politicians) have been exploiting the people for their own gain and such exploitation has been the source of the world's ills and problems. Are you poor? The elites are to blame. Are you struggling with an addiction? The elites are to blame for that as well. Thus one way to sum up this Q movement is that the corrupt elites are to blame for the individual's circumstances.
The QAnon movement is one aspect of the Pro-Trump movement. There are also other features that don't fit neatly into on category.
Another feature of the Trump Movement is their belief about what Trump can do for them. I alluded to this earlier. Here, I'd like to discuss more. There is a subset of Trump voters who are voter for Trump because they believe that he can solve their problems for them. Many in this group are tired and frustrated with the growing rise of left-ideology in academics and in the broader American culture. In response to this, they want a leader who will fight for them and "own the Libs." Thus this subset's main reason for voting for Trump is the fact that he can "dominate" and "own" the other side.
They also vote for Trump because they want to return back to a more prosperous time for America. Many of Trump voters are white middle-aged men who have seen their jobs and livelihood shipped overseas by corporations seeking greater profits and cheap labor. These men vote for Trump because they believe he can make everything right again. He can restore their jobs and return life to how it was before. All they have to do is vote. No demand is placed on their life to make changes to themselves to make them more attractive to employers. Rather, change will happen by relying on a "strong-man" to bring it about.
V. Removing Individual Responsibility
Although these two movements (the fight against systemic racism and the pro-Trump movement) are at different ends of the spectrum, they both share one thing in common: the belief that one's circumstances have been caused by external factors. Thus, they argue, by correcting those external factors, they can change the person's life.
The left believes that the problem is racist system. They believe that if you change the system, then you will change the people within the system. Therefore, if you want to eliminate poverty, then change the system. Conversely, the pro-Trump right believe that the problem lies with the elites, whose greed has been the cause of our problems and afflictions. Therefore, if you stop the elites, then you will solve society's problems.
But as you can see, both of these movements place little to no demands on the individual to produce the change within him or herself. Instead, the finger of blame is pointed at everyone except the individual. The problem, they assert, is due to racism, or the problem is due to the elites. The notion that our problems are caused by the wealthy elite is central to Q's message and it's no wonder why this conspiracy theory has attracted many followers. When one can shift the blame and responsibility for his or her ills and problems onto someone else, then one doesn't have to own up to the burden of being an individual living in a challenging world. After all, freedom comes with its costs. And one of those costs is taking ownership for their lives.
Moreover, the belief that the system is inherently racist is also attractive to many people of color. Under this theory, there is no incentive for the individual to change himself. There is no push to cause the individual to examine his/her life and the choices he/she has made. The responsibility is removed from the individual and placed on the state. The government is responsible for the conditions of its citizens.
This is not to say that external factors don't play a role in shaping our character, but is to point out that no matter one's circumstance, the individual has the freedom and liberty to choose how he'll respond. In the end, people are in the circumstances they are in because of the choices they've made.
For instance, our government can carry out reparations, paying out a large sum to African Americans for the past horrors of slavery, but if the individual, himself, has not changed his character, then no amount of financial remuneration will change that. If an individual doesn't know how to save. Or if the individual spends his paycheck on frivolous things, then giving up a bigger paycheck merely enables him to spend more money on more frivolous things.
In other words, reparations won't change the person's condition, because the person has to do that within himself. He needs to learn the habits of success before he can become successful. This is the principle that has been ignored by those pushing for racial equity.
VI. Christ, the Heart Surgeon
Now that we've identified the common thread among both the left and pro Trump movements, it's time to compare this to what the Savior taught.
Although we've already discussed some of the Savior's teachings in the previous post, I would like to further delve into his teachings. In Matthew 15, Christ explains that the real concern for him is our heart.
10 ¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Christ's teaching address the Pharisaical practice of washing one's hands before eating. The purpose for this practice, as indicated in verse 11, was to remain pure. Washing one's hands before eating allowed the person to remain pure. For the Pharisee, the concern was with the external -- i.e., eating with unclean hands.
But Christ rejects this practice. Instead, for Christ, the main concern is the external (eating with unclean/unwashed hands) but the internal (the heart of the person). Christ later explains the full meaning:
15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Christ seeks to correct the heart (the inner person) because it is the heart that produces evil or good. If Christ can replace an evil heart with a good one, then he can change the actions of the individual to producing "good fruit." "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies"
This is the purpose of the gospel -- to change our heart from evil to good. The gospel is focused on changing the inner self. And this change occurs from the individual taking responsibility. Christ had many chances to address Roman oppression. Instead, he focused on transforming the individual by teaching light and truth. For Christ, the onus was on the individual to transform himself. It was on the individual to seek for righteousness.
This idea of individual responsibility is further found in Christ's parable of the Sower of the Seed. There, we learn that the seed sower planted seeds on various parts of the field. There were four different areas that the seeds were planted in:
1. The pathway/way side
2. The stony places
3. Among the thorns
4. Those on good soil
Although the places that the seeds fell onto were physical location, the locations serve as metaphors for the inner person. Christ explains what they mean to his disciples:
1. The pathway/wayside: those who hear the message of the gospel, but don't understand it.
2. The stony places: Those who hear the word, receive it with joy, but later are "offended" by the word due to persecution and tribulation.
3. The seed among the thorns: Those who hear the word, but disregard it because they are more concerned with the world than the kingdom of God.
4. The seed in the good ground: Those who hear the word and understand it and are fruitful in it.
Each of the instances, it was the people who decided what the word did for them. Some chose to accept it into their lives, while others, for various reasons, did not.
Understanding this point of individual responsibility is important. We can use this knowledge to measure the beliefs within the world. Thus whenever we hear a belief dealing with the human condition and improving that condition, we need to compare it to the Scriptures --- and in this case, to what Christ taught.
VII. Christ's Teaching Compared to Current Movement
Given what we know about the left and right-wing movements, which put responsibility on the external, we can see that Christ's teachings run counter to these beliefs. A follower of Christ is a person who takes responsibility for himself. It is a person who does not blame others for his life circumstances, but instead places the onus on himself to change his circumstances -- as much as he is able. This kind of use his experience in life as teaching opportunity. This kind of follower uses experiences to further refine his character, making him more Christ like. He/she does not blame others or shift responsibility for his actions. He analyzes, evaluates, and seeks for greater truth to understand his circumstances and how to get through them. He waits upon the Lord.
This is not to say, however, that external factors don't affect us. Nor is it to suggest that a follower of Christ can do all things on his own. Instead, it is to show that change must first come within. This is why we are commanded to be humble. A humble person is one who takes inventory of his inner life. Who examines what he does right or what he does wrong, and then works to fix what is wrong.
Example of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is one example of this kind of person. Solzhenitsyn was a communist who lived in the Soviet union and was arrested for writing derogatory comments about the Stalinist regime to his friend. As a consequence he was sentenced to the gulags (forced labor camps) for eight years and was later exiled.
During his experience he learned that he had a choice about how to respond to his circumstance. He noticed that some prisoners responded to their circumstances, no matter how brutal, with full integrity, not surrendering to their animal instincts. Noticing this, Solzhenitsyn realized he had two ways he could respond to his circumstances: One option was to blame Stalin and others for him ending up in the gulags. Or, he could examine his life and the choices he made that led him to the gulags.
He chose the latter. And doing so, took the time to re-evaluate his life and to think about every time he ignored his conscience. To identify those moments where he was not true to himself. He chronicled these experiences and later published them. His writings were influential in showing the horrors of communism. He later became a public intellectual who gave a commencement speech at Harvard and published subsequent books critiquing communism.
By choosing to point the finger at himself, Solzhenitsyn transformed himself. And by doing so become an agent of his destiny. Although not all of us will have the same influence as Solzhenitsyn, we can overcome our circumstances by controlling what we can -- namely who we are.
Scream Phoenix
But this gospel truth can also be found in other areas. Christian don't have a monopoly over truth. Truth can be possessed by anyone, hence the reason why we should be wary of restricting speech. Otherwise we may censor truth.
One place I've found this true principle of individual transformation is in a hip-hop album called the Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox. The album is a concept album detailing in quite graphic imagery life in the inner-city ghettos. The metaphor that underlines the album is that the ghetto is an iron galaxy. A "galaxy" because of the unbounded potential that each individual has. But it is "iron" because that potential is bound up in poverty, drugs, and gangs.
The album concludes with the speaker describing two ways of life. One way of life is that of the pigeons. The other way of life is to ascend above the pigeons and become a phoenix. [2]
Most people choose the first way (being a pigeon). Anyone who has seen a pigeon knows that pigeon's are not very impressive birds and they're everywhere. Moreover, pigeons don't contribute much. They are more of a nuisance than anything else. When it comes to other birds, pigeons are at the bottom. They might get by, but they don't excel.
Metallic wing pigeon
Birds of the same feather flock together
Congested on a majestic street corner
That's a short time goal for most of 'em
Cuz most of 'em
Would rather expand their wings and hover over greater things
That's what we call inspired flight
By the pigeons that gotta eat pizza crust every night
The other option is to become a phoenix -- to ascend. The speaker remarks, See to the common fowl the phoenix is sire/Most high of all things to ever have wings. The phoenix is a the supreme bird. It transcends the life of a pigeon. The end of the album concludes with the speaker choosing to become a phoenix. And this change of being a phoenix comes from within. The speaker becomes a phoenix by transforming his inner life. Despite the challenges that the speaker will still face, he can approach them with a different attitude. Having decided to become a different person, he now faces the challenges of life in a different way.
Existence is struggle, resistance is futile
Meanwhile we now possess the power of ten suns
To transcend and elevate into one
Famine, the disease and senseless dying is done
Pigeon bird got a breath left
Heart beat no more
Phoenix bird morph and we live off the G-force
VIII. Inner Transformation Is No Walk In The Park
The album Cold Vein is not perfect and not everything in it is true, but there are some truths worth holding on to. This concept of transforming oneself is one truth worth holding.
But it's also true that art may sometimes idealize the truth. The idea of "screaming phoenix" is beautiful, but becoming an empowered individual is hard work and is harder than just saying it. It requires humility and patience. It requires taking a deep hard look at oneself, like Solzhenitsyn, and admit where we've made a mistake.
The sad truth is that for many of us we've made our trials and challenges worse by our actions. Taking ownership is not easy. It's hard to admit that we were the mistake. This is because humans don't like to be wrong. Being wrong signals that we are inferior and inadequate. This is intolerable for us who live in a world that rewards the go-getter and those with "knowledge". Being wrong means that we don't fit in. That we are different. Most people don't like feeling different.
But we must do it, otherwise we'll continue to unnecessarily suffer because we've failed to learn and acquire great understanding about principles that could alleviate our suffering. Lehi said it best to his son Jacob,
27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. (2 Nephi 2)
Ultimately we have the choice. Seeing that some of the popular movements ignore this fundamental truth helps us to avoid accepting those false-traditions, which acceptance will lead to a loss of light. The remaining parts of the series will delve into the why and how.
Up to this point, I've shown what the scriptures say about the individual. But I haven't explained why they say so. That will be the focus of the next part. Part IV will then look at how we can transform our lives by looking at practical actions we can make to become agents of ourselves.
Footnotes
[1] The Pro- Trump refers to those who believe that Trump will solve all their problems. I do not use this to mean that any one who votes for Trump believes that he will solve their problems.
[2] Here are the link to the two songs, for those interested.
Pigeons; https://youtu.be/02w8N-sdYRY
Scream Phoenix: https://youtu.be/m6ara80eZvs
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