C.S. Lewis wrote, “When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” It is hard to imagine what the prolific author would think of the western world were he alive today.
When I was in college in the early to mid-1970s, I attended a state university and took what was considered a liberal degree. In my social work major I took three courses that I remember well. One was “Deviant Behavior,” another was ‘Abnormal Psychology,” and the third was “Human Sexuality.”
In the relatively short period from then to now, the behaviors that were considered deviant and abnormal and signs of mental illness are now presented as mainstream. In fact, if one does not agree with certain practices and behaviors, that person is mocked, scorned, considered a “hater,” has a “phobia,” and is out of touch with the current reality.
In my high school, it wasn’t unusual for students to drive to school in a pickup truck with gun racks in the back window sporting long rifles and shotguns. Pocket knives were considered a useful tool to have on one’s person and no one ever had their guns stolen and not one person was shot or stabbed. No one was confused about which restroom to use and every person over the age of five knew which pronoun to apply to what gender.
In the area where I grew up, most people went to church or at least claimed membership in a church. For the few who did not, there was tolerance. For those denominations with whom one disagreed, there was always church league softball so the Baptists could try to beat the Methodists (or whomever) and both teams, though disagreeing on points of theology, would gather on the pitcher’s mound to pray before and after the game.
Men, and it was mostly men then, who went into the military or became a police officer or firefighter were looked up to and respected. So were teachers and those in the trades. If one could afford it, college was waiting and students went there to prepare for a career, not to waste their time on a degree that made one unemployable. Laws were to be obeyed and adults were to be respected and, in my world, it was regardless of occupation, sex, or skin color.
Now, at least to someone like me, It does indeed seem that the whole world (and by that, I mean the United States) is running toward a cliff. Several years ago, I said to my wife, “We are about to see the beginning of the decline of this nation as we have known it.”
Lawlessness reigns almost unabated. The governments deliberately fail to enforce laws, district attorneys cherry -pick who they will prosecute while felons go free, the police are told by political leaders to stand down and let rioters burn and loot, and … well I could go on and on.
When I was a teen and after the Beatles had appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, my father, a World War II veteran of the Navy, said, “I cringe for my country when I think about your generation taking over.” Sadly, he was right.
It was the Baby Boomer generation that got us started toward the cliff. That was the generation that got us into wars without victories. It was this generation that was the first to embrace abortion as a remedy to an inconvenient pregnancy. Ours was the generation that gave rise to the drug culture that is now an infestation affecting millions. We kept electing lying politicians who would become rich by staying in power.
My in-laws will be 94 this autumn. I cannot even begin to fathom what they must be thinking. Maybe, like me, they just don’t watch the news much anymore. In my view, we are facing catastrophic problems while those in leadership occupy themselves with issues that, in the long run, don’t matter and they can’t fix anyway.
There’s a cold wind blowing in the nation, and I fear it will bring disaster. But maybe not. There are still people, young and old, that hold to ancient values that have stood the test of time and are determined to fight the good fight.
Like Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, I am “still running against the wind.” I do so with the knowledge that, to paraphrase Lewis’ words, I will appear to many to have lost my mind. But I just can’t run with the crowd, even if it be “the whole world.” That world is running toward a cliff.
[David Epps is the Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King (www.ctk.life). Worship services are on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and on livestream at www.ctk.life. He is the bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South (www.midsouthdiocese.life). He may be contacted at davidepps@ctk.life.]
Father Epps – I know what you mean about running against the wind. I remember when U.S. Presidents were respectful of others and wouldn’t dream of telling blatant lies, demeaning opponents, or assaulting women. I remember when teachers were allowed to teach the truth about our nation’s history without concerns that little Johnny would get his feelings hurt. I remember when white people weren’t allowed to shoot any unarmed black person with impunity merely because they were afraid. I remember when a television news network had enough integrity to avoid blatant fabrications. I remember when educators decided which books should be in the school library. I remember when candidates accepted defeat at the polls and didn’t attempt a coup d’etat to stay in power. I could go on and on.
I guess I’m just old fashioned, but like you, I am worried about where authoritarians are taking our country. But I will continue to rail against the people who are intent on ruining our democracy even if I’m in the minority here in Georgia.
Fiction – I agree with you on many of your points.
I also remember a time when our President didn’t tell blatant lies: “I never spoke with my son about his business dealings”. Or demean opponents: Georgia’s voter ID law is “unAmerican”, “sick, pernicious and despicable”, and “makes Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle”. Or assault women: Tara Reade. So we both dislike Joe Biden.
I can’t decipher your cryptic reference to history and Johnny’s feelings, but agree we shouldn’t rewrite history because someone is offended.
I’m certain that today white people are still not allowed to shoot an unarmed black person with impunity.
I too am troubled by the whole ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoaxes created by Clinton and our federal government, then covered as truth for years by the mainstream media. All are fabrications they should have the integrity to avoid.
It was never the case that educators decided books for the school library. They are employees of the local Board of Education, which have ultimate authority as elected representatives of the parents and community to decide what is appropriate and what is not.
Candidates should accept defeat at the polls. Looking at you Hilary and Stacy.
Not a fan of January 6, if that is your reference, but it’s hard to make a factual case that it was a coup attempt. It was a shameful riot, at worst.
We should all be angered at the collusion between government and media to create and amplify lies about Trump in 2016 and 2020, while hiding and ignoring Clinton’s emails in ’16 and Biden’s money laundering grift in ’20. The real coup: polls show enough voters would not have voted for Biden to swing the election to Trump if they had known the truth about Hunter’s laptop and Biden family corruption.
Great to be working with you to rail against those who are ruining our democracy.
Yup STF, America has settled for a lot less since not so distant times when names like Juanita Broaddrick, Leslie Millwee, Paula Jones and Kathleen Willey dotted the news. How soon we forget the blatant lies of a President on national television that proclaimed “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.. Monika Lewinski” while shamefully wagging a finger at the nation in defiance. Or the coup within the government to overturn the 2016 election with claims of a stolen election and Russian Collusion. Seems many have selected amnesia.
And yes, I too fear the authoritarians that seek to limit free speech with such examples as the creation of governmental power to decide what constitutes favorable or unfavorable disinformation for those in power. I’m waiting on the day the current administration proclaims “2+2=5”.
Fiction – I am 100% with you on most of your memories, though you misremembered on a couple.
I too remember when Presidents wouldn’t dream of telling blatant lies: “I never spoke with my son about his business dealings”, demeaning opponents: “un-American, sick, pernicious,” and “This makes Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle.” (re GA’s voter ID law) or assaulting women, such as Tara Reade. All reasons we dislike Joe Biden.
Not sure what this cryptic reference to Johnny is, but I’m sure it’s as good as your other opinions.
I’m certain that it is still unlawful to shoot any unarmed black person with impunity, self-defense possibly excepted.
I see we’re both angered by mainstream media’s collusion with Clinton and the federal government to perpetuate the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ fabrication.
Educators have never had the final say on which books should be in the school library. The Board of Education, as the elected representatives of the community and parents, holds the decision rights on what stays or goes.
And yes, we are both cheesed off at candidates who don’t accept defeat at the polls. We’re looking at you, Hilary and Stacy.
If you are referring to the riot on January 6th as a coup, you need to check definitions and history. It was a shameful moment, but the idiots wandering through the Capitol had no intent or capability to take over the federal government.
As far as a coup, I’d refer you to the conspiracy between the mainstream media and federal government to withhold important information of the Biden Crime Family and Hunter’s laptop that probably threw the 2020 election to Biden. “79% say ‘truthful’ coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop would have changed 2020 election” NY Post 8/26/22
Great to be alongside as we rail against people who are intent on ruining our democracy.
Fiction – I am 100% with you on most of your memories, though you whiffed on a couple.
I too remember when Presidents wouldn’t dream of telling blatant lies: “I never spoke with my son about his business dealings”, demeaning opponents: “un-American, sick, pernicious,” and “This makes Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle.” (re GA’s voter ID law) or assaulting women, such as Tara Reade. All reasons we dislike Joe Biden.
Not sure what this cryptic reference to Johnny is, but I’m sure it’s as good as your other opinions.
I’m certain that it is still unlawful to shoot any unarmed black person with impunity, self-defense possibly excepted.
I see we’re both angered by mainstream media’s collusion with Clinton and the federal government to perpetuate the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ fabrication.
Educators have never had the final say on which books should be in the school library. The Board of Education, as the elected representatives of the community and parents, holds the decision rights on what stays or goes.
And yes, we are both cheesed off at candidates who don’t accept defeat at the polls. We’re looking at you, Hilary and Stacy.
If you are referring to the riot on January 6th as a coup, you need to check definitions and history. It was a shameful moment, but the idiots wandering through the Capitol had no intent or capability to take over the federal government.
As far as a coup, I’d refer you to the conspiracy between the mainstream media and federal government to withhold important information of the Biden Crime Family and Hunter’s laptop that probably threw the 2020 election to Biden. “79% say ‘truthful’ coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop would have changed 2020 election” NY Post 8/26/22
Great to be alongside as we rail against people who are intent on ruining our democracy.
Fiction – I am 100% with you on most of your memories, though you misremembered on a couple.
I too remember when Presidents wouldn’t dream of telling blatant lies: “I never spoke with my son about his business dealings”, demeaning opponents: “un-American, sick, pernicious,” and “This makes Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle.” (re GA’s voter ID law) or assaulting women, such as Tara Reade. All reasons we dislike Joe Biden.
Not sure what this cryptic reference to Johnny is, but I’m sure it’s as good as your other opinions.
I’m certain that it is still unlawful to shoot any unarmed black person with impunity, self-defense possibly excepted.
I see we’re both angered by mainstream media’s collusion with Clinton and the federal government to perpetuate the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ fabrication.
Educators have never had the final say on which books should be in the school library. The Board of Education, as the elected representatives of the community and parents, holds the decision rights on what stays or goes.
And yes, we are both cheesed off at candidates who don’t accept defeat at the polls. We’re looking at you, Hilary and Stacy.
If you are referring to the riot on January 6th as a coup, you need to check definitions and history. It was a shameful moment, but the idiots wandering through the Capitol had no intent or capability to take over the federal government.
As far as a coup, I’d refer you to the conspiracy between the mainstream media and federal government to withhold important information of the Biden Crime Family and Hunter’s laptop that probably threw the 2020 election to Biden. “79% say ‘truthful’ coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop would have changed 2020 election” NY Post 8/26/22
Great to be alongside as we rail against people who are intent on ruining our democracy.
Reverend,
“It was the Baby Boomer generation that got us started toward the cliff. That was the generation that got us into wars without victories.”
I’m curious, which war(s) are you referring to????
I couldn’t have been Vietnam as Kennedy, LBJ, and McNamara are certainly not of that generation.
Be careful, Reverend!
Mainstreaming of deviant behavior.
Disagreement labeled as hate or a phobia.
Personal responsibility for guns and knives.
Knowing what restroom and which of two pronouns to use.
Attending church and praying in public.
Respect for law enforcement, military and first responders.
Obeying laws, and enforcing laws for those who commit crimes.
Not wasting time in college on worthless degrees (and expecting others to pay for it, I might add).
Treat people as individuals and not as a member of this or that group.
Abortion is not a remedy for an inconvenient pregnancy.
Dangers of a pervasive drug culture.
Stop re-electing the same clowns who got us into this mess.
Holding on to ancient values that have stood the test of time.
Keep this up, and you may be labeled a common sense conservative.
Or even a more sinister label: a watcher of Fox News.
**Hope this doesn’t post twice! If it does … sorry! The first one just disappeared!**
First, CS Lewis didn’t say that quote about running toward/away from a cliff. It was attributed to him in a 1997 book, but the author of that book gave no documentation as to where/when CSL said it, and it cannot be found in any of his books or writing that we have today.
Despite that CSL didn’t say it, the sentiment is still understandable; it’s the same as when your mom says, “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?” But people prefer you quote CSL rather than your mom, I suppose. Also Thomas Jefferson is often misquoted, so if you want to attribute this cliff quote to him, that would give it more gravitas than mom, too. I mean, if you don’t care who said it and don’t want to quote your mom. Or dad.
I don’t think it applies here, though.
For one, Fr Epps is certainly not alone in running the direction he is running. There is a throng of frightened, old, white folks running with him. And that is a shame. He seems to think if they go over the cliff others are running toward, they will be splattered on the rocks below, but what he actually describes is how they will instead be dropped into an ocean of:
• Grace where people of all races and genders are able to live their true selves out loud without fear.
• Safety where guns aren’t threatening them from every truck’s back window.
• Freedom where POC aren’t unfairly targeted by law enforcement and imprisoned at astronomical rates in comparison with white folk.
• Joy where spiritual paths can lead to church, mosque, synagog, gurdwara, temple, nature, someplace else, or nowhere at all.
• Equity where the color of your skin doesn’t matter as much as the content of your character.
• Harmony where the place you are from, the language you speak, the people you love, the culture you embrace are all seen as a reason for celebration rather than denigration.
It might be scary to run over that cliff if you’ve had an idyllic life as king of the hill (that is white middle-class man in America), but if you have a heart for your fellow humans who have never been allowed up the mountain, you’ll take the leap.
Dear VJax–Thank you, Thank you (twice!)
Your lovely vision of the coming kingdom–grace, safety, freedom, joy, equity, and harmony–is perfect!
Perhaps Fr. Epps will recognize it as the one he prays for every Sunday (and eventually join us in embracing it!).
Allow me to add–the lady knows her Clive! Well done.
Thanks Suz! Ol’ Clive was called Jack by his friends because as a boy he had changed his own name to Jacksie, and as a Jaxie myself, I approve! He is very quotable, but I am the CSL quotation police!
I, too, hope Fr Epps gets a vision for the peaceable kingdom and desires to see it here on earth!
Be careful, Reverend!
Mainstreaming of deviant behavior.
Disagreement labeled as hate or a phobia.
Personal responsibility for guns and knives.
Knowing what restroom and which of two pronouns to use.
Attending church and praying in public.
Respect for law enforcement, military and first responders.
Obeying laws, and enforcing laws for those who commit crimes.
Not wasting time in college on worthless degrees (and expecting others to pay for it, I might add).
Treat people as individuals and not as a member of this or that group.
Abortion is not a remedy for an inconvenient pregnancy.
Dangers of a pervasive drug culture.
Re-electing the same clowns who got us into this mess.
Holding on to ancient values that have stood the test of time.
Keep this up, and you may be labeled a common sense conservative.
First, CS Lewis didn’t say that quote about running toward/away from a cliff. It was attributed to him in a 1997 book, but the author of that book gave no documentation as to where/when CSL said it, and it cannot be found in any of his books or writing that we have today.
Despite that CSL didn’t say it, the sentiment is still understandable; it’s the same as when your mom says, “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?” But people prefer you quote CSL rather than your mom, I suppose. Also Thomas Jefferson is often misquoted, so if you want to misattribute this cliff quote to him, that would give it more gravitas than mom, too. I mean, if you don’t care who said it and don’t want to quote your mom. Or dad.
I don’t think it applies here, though.
For one, Fr Epps is certainly not alone in running the direction he is running. There is a throng of frightened, old, white folks running with him. And that is a shame. He seems to think if they go over the cliff others are running toward, they will be splattered on the rocks below, but what he actually describes is how they will instead be dropped into an ocean of:
• Grace where people of all races and genders are able to live their true selves out loud without fear.
• Safety where guns aren’t threatening them from every truck’s back window.
• Freedom where POC aren’t unfairly targeted by law enforcement and imprisoned at astronomical rates in comparison with white folk.
• Joy where spiritual paths can lead to church, mosque, synagog, gurdwara, temple, nature, someplace else, or nowhere at all.
• Equity where the color of your skin doesn’t matter as much as the content of your character.
• Harmony where the place you are from, the language you speak, the people you love, the culture you embrace are all seen as a reason for celebration rather than denigration.
It might be scary to run over that cliff if you’ve had an idyllic life as king of the hill (that is white middle-class man in America) — I mean, how could it get any better for you? It’s bound to be worse if you dash headlong into the unknown, right?
That’s an understandable way to feel … but if you have a heart for your fellow humans who have never been allowed up the mountain, you’ll put your own fears of what you might lose aside, and take the leap in favor of what they might gain. And who knows? Once you fling yourself headlong into that ocean, maybe you will discover that it’s not as scary as you imagined anyway.
The world isn’t rushing to its doom, with Fr Epps’ standing as the sole voice of reason against the death march. Rather the arc of the moral universe is slowly, painfully, bending toward justice, and scared old guys like Epps banding together and pushing as hard as they can to stop that natural movement. How much more joyful would it be to surrender to that force for good and run with all your might to take the leap of faith into a better tomorrow for everyone!
May I suggest, Fr.Epps, that the wind you are “running against” is simply change? Long overdue change and much needed, in my opinion.
I do understand why you find this so unsettling. After all, the status quo has served you well. The system has worked for you.
Unfortunately, not all can say the same. Your glowing memories of “the good old days” are not shared by everyone. Especially those different from you. Different in race, sex, religion, nationality, politics…the people, I maintain, are the ones who actually run against the prevailing winds. Surely you can forgive them for not chuckling at the charming recollection of shotguns in the windows of pick-up trucks.
My point is…change is coming. Have a little faith. It is ushering in a better world; especially for those who need it the most. You and I have been fine all along.
Don’t view it as running off a cliff; call it a leap of faith!
To paraphrase the ultimate Expert on up-ending the status quo–bring the good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to the captives, to the blind, new sight, set the downtrodden free and proclaim the Lord’s favor.
Fight the good fight, indeed!
Oh well said, Suz!
“I do understand why you find this so unsettling. After all, the status quo has served you well. The system has worked for you. Unfortunately, not all can say the same. Your glowing memories of ‘the good old days’ are not shared by everyone. Especially those different from you. Different in race, sex, religion, nationality, politics…the people, I maintain, are the ones who actually run against the prevailing winds. Surely you can forgive them for not chuckling at the charming recollection of shotguns in the windows of pick-up trucks.”
Exactly! As Billy Joel told us “The gold old days weren’t always that good, and tomorrow’s not as bad as it seems.”