Century’s Apart Freedom Fight Remains

  

            They were both here to recruit you. They were both here to recruit you to help stop great injustice in their time. Thomas Paine and Harvey Milk may have been born in different centuries, during different times, but both were working towards freedom. Paine was attempting to break free from a ruthless, unjust Britain, and Her King. Milk’s aspiration was to live in a world where people who were gay were no longer treated like second-class citizens. Paine and Milk strived for freedom, using similar strategies, both looking for goals which were very much alike: freedom for their people.

            Thomas Paine understood the significance around having everyone help towards a greater cause. “I call not upon a few, but upon all; not on this state of that state, but on every state; up and help us; lay your shoulders on the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is a stake.”(Paine 161) Thomas Paine understood that in order to defeat the British he had to rally everyone against the British, giving them hope for a new country.

            Harvey Milk realized that it was crucial for the gay community to stick together, so they wouldn’t be alone in their fight for freedom against stereotypes and injustice. “We must band together and fight back.”(Milk) Milk also knew that “They were strong, but even they needed hope.”(Milk) Harvey Milk wanted the gay community to find strength and hope by banding together, and sticking together. Only then could they even begin their fight against stereotypes and injustice.

            Paine was aching for liberation from Britain, leaving America to be Her own free country, free of the injustice that Britain put down upon them. Paine and the colonists felt like slaves to Great Britain. “Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to Tax) but ‘to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner, that is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.”(Paine 161) Thanks to the poor treatment and taxes, Britain had led Paine and others like him, to feel like slaves. Now Paine and the other colonists were ready for change. They were ready for freedom.

            Milk wanted to free the gay people the world of prejudice, on step at a time, starting in his city. He too, like Paine, dealt with the knowledge that his people were often treated like second-class citizens. “If the city of San Francisco, if every one of 51 percent of that city were to go to South Africa, they would be treated as second-class citizens. That is an offence to the people of San Francisco.”(Milk) Milk was working towards a world where there was no prejudice against gay people. The gay community was tired of being treated like second-class citizens, and Milk was trying to achieve freedom for them.

            In order to obtain freedom, Paine recognized the importance of wanting to be free, desperately. “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. ‘Tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”(Paine 160) Paine wanted everyone to understand that they had to deeply want freedom, before it would be achievable.

            Milk recognized that in order to achieve freedom from stereotypes and prejudice, the gay community had to work hard, and that they needed to understand the great worth of what they were fighting to secure. “The first gay people we elect must be strong. They must not be content to sit in the back of the bus. They must not be content to accept pabulum. They must be above wheeling and dealing. They must be –for the good of all of us- independent, unbought.”(Milk) Milk reasoned that without wanting it badly enough, it would be an impossible goal to reach.

            Although Thomas Paine and Harvey Milk were alive during completely different times, their goals were surprisingly alike. Both understood the power of people as a whole, and both were treated unfairly. So they stood up against it, and fought for what they believed in. They both wanted the same thing: freedom. One wanted freedom from an unjust nation and the other, freedom from stereotypes and prejudice. Most importantly, they gave people hope for a better tomorrow. 

What do Puritans and The Tea Party have in common? More than you think.

 Puritanism still influences our country today. Recently, Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann said during a campaign speech in Florida “I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said, ‘Are you going to start listening to me here?’” (From St. Petersburg Times)  This resonates the words of Jonathan Edwards, a puritan preacher from 18th century America.  Jonathan Edwards said in a sermon “The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is it’s course, when once it is let loose.” (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards) Puritan beliefs can still be found in America today among those who are on the religious far right. 

Puritans built their religion and society on fear of an angry God. “This is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ. That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you. There is a dreadful pit of glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is Hell’s wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of; there is nothing between you and Hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.” (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards) Puritans ran their society on the fear of the wrath of an angry God. They were taught to believe that with one mistake, they would be forever condemned. Therefore their society remained obedient, in fear of the burning brimstone.

Puritan beliefs still run deep today in American politics. American politics has always been a battle between whose beliefs are correct, and who’s beliefs make them “Morally Bankrupt.” This practice in American politics goes all the way back to when the Puritans were prevalent.  Today, you can find the Puritans beliefs being fought for by The Republican’s and Conservatives in America. Take Rick Perry for instance, He’s the front running Republican Presidential Candidate. In June, he suggests during an interview: “We’re going through those difficult economic times for a purpose, to bring us back to those Biblical principles.” (Think Progress.org) Rick Perry, a major voice in the Republican Party, reflects the views of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards said “Those that are gone from being in the like circumstances with you, see that it was so with them; destruction came suddenly upon most of them; when they expected nothing of it, and while they were saying, peace and safety: now they see, that those things on which they depended for peace and safety, were nothing but thin air and empty shadows.” (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards) Rick Perry believes that America needs to get back to the Puritan ways, and he wants Americans to remember money won’t keep you safe, God will. This sounds very much like Jonathan Edward’s belief.

Puritans believe that if you’re willing to give sin up for God, he will be righteous. “And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God.” (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Jonathan Edwards) This belief is also still prevalent today in America. An entire industry of television preachers, advertisements, billboards, end of the world prophesies, books, music, and websites are calling for Americans to surrender their lives to God, or they will forever burn in Hell.

Although you may not see Puritans in their classic attire, giving their fiery sermons, Puritanism is still influencing America today. Puritanism is reflected in political views, religions, books, television and much more. America will always be in battle over what is morally right, and wrong. Puritanism will always be a lingering ideology in American society.