One need
only study American history to realize that the blessings of liberty have been
purchased at a great price. The founding
of this nation, her imperfect accommodation with slavery, the tragic internecine
conflict which followed, and the next 100 years, has taught any student that liberty
must never be presumed and the rights bestowed upon the human person by God are
not automatically respected by his fellow man.
Those of us
in the pro-life movement are reminded of this reality daily. We shake our heads
in disbelief that otherwise intelligent people would allow, permit, sanction
and even promote the systematic slaughter of innocent pre-born children. We read about the continued assault upon women
by abortionists, the abortion industry, selfish abusive partners and are
frustrated by the lack of concern by the press, government officials and those
in authority. We get even more upset when those who should know better turn a
blind eye and ignore our pleas for help.
Watching the
new move, “For Greater Glory,” the story of the conflict in Mexico in the 1920s,
I was struck by the similar problems, the similar themes and the similar
consequences that arise when to recall the word of Edmund Burke, “good people
do nothing.”
For those
unfamiliar with the Cristero War that brutalized the Mexican landscape in the
1920s, the government of atheist Plutarco Elias Calles sought to suppress the Catholic
Church in Mexico by passing and enforcing draconian laws designed to destroy
religious belief in Mexico. At first priests were deported and religious
services were forbidden. Then when the people resisted, wholesale persecution of
those who attempted to live their faith ensued.
When peaceful non-violent resistance was suppressed, open armed rebellion
followed. The move is a faithful
rendition of what happened.
I saw the film this weekend and was moved by the power of
the people to resist the onslaught of the government. Both as entertainment and as history the
story held my attention. The acting was excellent and the courage of the
director not to soften the message about those tragic times must be commended.
The personal stories of the men and women involved were brought to life by the
actors and one could not avoid feeling the pain and sometimes the anger of the
characters as the story played out on screen.
It
has not been lost on anyone with a pulse the parallels between what the
atheistic government tried and in some ways succeeded doing in Mexico and
our
current problems with the Obama administration concerning the HHS
Mandate and the effort to force Catholics and other believers into
violating their rights of conscience and right to exercise their
religious freedom guaranteed under the First Amendment. Aside from the obvious
sympathy the movie give to the believers (something that with no doubt attract
the scorn of the mainstream theatrical critics). The movie asks the viewer to considerif freedom is important. The main character wrestles with his own set
of standards and ultimately is moved by the sacrificial love and devotion of
those who paid the ultimate price to defend these inalienable rights. One leaves the theater so very appreciative
of the system of laws in place that allow us to argue and defend or rights – at
the same time realizing that if we are not vigilant, they can be taken away by
a power that can intimidate and cajole simultaneously.
The movie does not explain to the viewer that for the next
70 years the party of Calles ruled Mexico with an iron hand and that whatever accommodations
made to end the war were not completely honored by the Mexican government. The corruption that has been long associated
with past administrations has only served to remind us of the legacy that is
mired in the sins of past generations.
But the lessons to those who watch the film are clear and bear
repeating. We must remain vigilant if we
are to protect our freedoms. We cannot presume that government will not seek to
expand its control of people’s lives. We
cannot ignore what is happening to those who are least able to defend
themselves. We must stand up for the right to life and to liberty not just for
ourselves but for our fellow brothers and sisters, no matter their status or station
in life. We must take seriously our duty
to become informed and then to vote for those candidates who will respect
rights of conscience, the right to life and the right to religious freedom. And we must hold our candidates accountable
so that they do not take our concerns for granted. They must understand that there are first
principles that are more important that security, than money, than status or
power.
Everyone who loves a good movie will enjoy “For Greater
Glory.” Dean Wright, the director does an excellent job of telling a verycompelling story. Andy Garcia and the cast bring the characters to life.
Without revealing a particular part of the story, I must also add that the
young man playing Jose has a great future as an actor. He was so believable and
so genuine as to bring tears to this father’s eyes. The touching scene with the
veteran actor Peter O’Toole, who plays an old priest, is one of the archives.
There are many who tout the concept of “American Exceptionalism”
and many who deride the whole notion that we in the United States are somehow “special.”
Indeed there is enough history of the good
and bad in the 236 years since our founding to give everyone plenty of
ammunition. But one thing cannot be
denied even by the most ardent foe of America. Our founding principles recognize the inherent
dignity of man. Our founding documents, however imperfectly implemented,
recognize that these rights were given to us from Almighty God. It is this reason alone that vanquishes the
argument that somehow there cannot be any recognition of God in our law. Our charter, the Declaration of Independence,
and our Constitution presuppose the existence and the sovereignty of God. These founding principles also resume the
rights of the people to direct the government to protect and nurture these
rights.
We still have the right to speak freely, to protest, to assemble,
to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and to worship both
within our churches and synagogues and outside them as well. But we cannot be
complacent. For there are forces at work ho would take away our right to
worship publicly, and to express our religious beliefs in our actions. There are
those who do not believe that religious ideas have any place in the public
square. There are those who would dictate what “is” religious expression.
Exercise your right to act. Go see “For Greater Glory.” Be inspired by the courageous actions of ordinary
men and women who put their love of God and country above political security.
Then join freedom loving Americans throughout the country us at 12 Noon on June
8 around the country for a second Stand Up For Religious Freedom Rally. Finally get involved and make a difference in
your community.
Viva Cristo Rey.
