I LOVE a good Mystery

This blog is being written because of a Facebook discussion I had a few weeks back after a post appeared on a Facebook friend’s page.  It was a rehash of a Hobby Lobby ad/opinion with this Bible Verse header “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,” Psalm 33:12.  After I posted my brief thoughts, there was an onslaught of responses by those who think I am “crazy”  I tried to respond to all thoughts or questions.  I ultimately posted this response “I’m not avoiding an answer …. The explanation is neither short nor easy. I will tell you that (Christian) believers and nonbelievers don’t always understand the kingdom of God. Maybe I don’t understand it either but I have a white paper to publish on it and you will be alerted.”  This Blog is that “white paper.” 

This blog is my opinion regarding the current status for the United States of America.  Why does it appear this country is degrading right before my eyes?  What is behind all of the genuine vitriol of the country’s electorate and the representatives of those people that voted for their representatives?  So much shouting.  So much Division.  It is not just a difference of opinion between factions, it appears to be outright hatred and aggressive attacks on those with whom we disagree.  The inability of left and right to communicate is disturbing.  Is America entering a critical mass state for explosive civil unrest?  If so, Why?  Is the solution a mystery?

I LOVE a good mystery.  Murder and crime and Lawyers and Detectives and Forensic mysteries.  I really am an addict, and can binge watch old TV shows and I read a mystery book almost daily. “Columbo” is a favorite. Iwatched weekly from high school and continue to watch online to this day.  A murder mystery show with homicide detective Lt. Frank Columbo (who also owned a basset hound, so we are connected).  Lt. Columbo is famous for asking “just one more”question of a suspect as he feigns departure… “just one more thing.”  Uniquely scripted,  we who watch learn who the killer is from the opening scenes of the TV mystery/drama.  The murder occurs, and I watch it, and then the Homicide guy Columbo appears.  We, the viewers, know the answer, but the Detective doesn’t.  Until he does.  Isn’t that the beauty of the mystery?  You don’t know the answer until you do.  And then it is a mystery no more. I love a good mystery.  “Just one more thing,” I love a good mystery solved. 

Most recently I have watched “House”.  Dr. Gregory House An antisocial maverick doctor who specializes in diagnostic medicine.   House teams with a group of doctors to find the solutions to medical problems in what are often life or death situations.  It is a good mystery. It is a often a ticking medical time bomb. Find the problem… solve the problem… There was one tough diagnosis, the other doctors on the House team have different opinions.  Drugs and treatments are not working.  In a terse statement Dr. House exclaims,  “The more infections we rule out, the more likely it is not an infection.” 

In the world of House… if you can’t immediately determine what the diagnosis is…it helps to understand what it isn’t.  Obviously, House is a TV drama, so it is always a good mystery solved.  And I love a good mystery.

And then there is this. A completely new form of mystery.

My most recent mystery is actually a “reality/social media/don’t forget to vote” mystery.  I have noticed a similar trend in the politics and problems of the United States.  Everyone knows there is a problem.  But there is no obvious solution.  The country is crumbling, but there is no consensus of opinion.  Everyone appears to diagnose the disease, but is there a solution?  THIS Is a mystery!  The doctors and the experts are everywhere.  The agreement on the proper treatment is not to be found.   And when there is consensus of conservatives, liberals, middle ground, disinterested, or uninvolved, there appears to be no solution.  It is just a consensus.  Will the Nation as we know it just die?  There is a governmental disease.  We need a proper course of treatment to save the Nation.  There needs to be a big Doctor to come fix this many faceted disease. 

Here are some symptoms of the National disease, and this list is in no way complete:  debt, spending, poverty, globalization, wars, human rights, the border, guns, homeless folks and families and on and on and on and on….  Pick your symptom…. what is the underlying disease.  How to treat this patient/country?  I love a good mystery.

On the television show House,  after treatment after experimental treatment with no apparent success comes the inevitable question from the patient, “Doctor, am I going to die?”  And I ask “can the patient be saved?”  

The USA appears as a dying patient. Can the USA survive this disease?  And so it appears to me as I watch the battles in the Republic.  As the Politicians, the Woke, the self anointed enlightened strive to save the country… it has become an episode of incorrect diagnosis, and therefore deadly solutions.

It is my observation, something untried is still needed and the solution is still mysterious.  Throw money at it appears as the popular solution. I have watched Republicans and Democrats alike throw money after the problem/disease.  I believe Progressives and Conservatives both desire a Constitutional solution to the Declaration  “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (LLPH = life liberty and pursuit of happiness.)   My observation is that it appears impossible to legislate LLPH.  Laws do NOT make people happy.  I have seen people cheer and boo a similar decision.  Roe V. Wade… thumbs up, thumbs down.  Laws do not make people happy.

I have seen folks post a statement like this… “Copy NORWAY, Norway knows how to be happy”  And so it seems.  But I like a good mystery.  Fact. The population of the USA in 1780 was just under 4 million.  People tend to compare the living situation in Norway to the US, you know as an example of healthy and wealthy and happy living.  Today the population of Norway is around 5 million.  Hmm-mm, imagine that.  Currently the United States is smaller in population size to only China and India.  Are those larger countries known for the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness?  Indonesia, Pakistan, and Nigeria are in the population back seat to the 3 aforementioned.  Are these larger countries the ones that the US could learn from for LLPH?  Man do I love a good mystery.

And to solve this problem/disease/disintegration of a Nation we need a good detective, a good physician who loves to solve mysteries.  And since I love a good mystery… I, Robert P. Fulton, will attempt to solve and bring healing to the Nation.  Please note. As of this date, August 30, 2022, this is intended to be a “Made for Blog” posting.  It is already too long, it should probably be a book… not that anyone would read either. But this blog needs more words, so I will write on.  Here are my “Cliff Notes”  

Observation one:  The Declaration of Independence is a forward thinking document of desires, directives, and resolve.  Released on July 4, 1776. It is a hope filled document, written by a group of folks remembering why many settlers came to America, and desiring to make their own decisions and let England know that they can pound sand… “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  It is about freedom.  It is about hope.  It is about the future.  This Declaration is a call to the Spirit, and call to a spiritual revival, whether by direction or implication, whether by intent or otherwise.

Observation two:  After a war, several years of freedom, the Constitutional Congress meets to figure out how 13 states should live together under an agreed upon outline of laws.  “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”  The Constitution is more about trying to create a social structure, it is created to protect LLPH.  It is a document inspired by the Creator, a brilliant legal document intended to protect people’s rights and govern a Democratic Republic.  It was written by inspired people who had a vision for a Democratic Republic.  It is written to protect LLPH.

Observation Three:  As this Representative Republic (USA) grows and ages people tend to care more about their own lawn than the common ground.  Well people say they care… but only if the common good is their definition of good.  Case in point… RED STATE vs. BLUE STATE vs Representative Democracy. It appears to be a complicated formula.  

It appears that the “discord gap” between the partisan factions is widening. It is this discord and division that is at the root of this disease. And this discord is in opposition to the Pursuit of happiness. Discord is however, a part of life and Liberty.  Therefore, it is the pursuit of happiness that stands alone as this country attempts to move forward. What is the pursuit of happiness?   Let me say unequivocally that neither state nor local governments can legislate long term happiness.  No law will ever be passed that will change the heart or spirit of man or woman.

Those of you who read my blog know I can over explain, so at this point Detective Bob is going to skip some steps in order to shorten some long explanations and other observations. I would assume that my opinions are mostly those a majority can agree with.  

Life is quantitative.  I either have Life… or I do not.  Such is life.  Liberty.. Or freedom in this life was measured by the founding fathers in the Bill of Rights: free speech, a right to bear arms, freedom of religion.  But happiness and its pursuit is ethereal, it is existential, IT IS Spiritual.   It is different for every person.  Two folks can watch the same sporting event.  At its conclusion the fans of one will be happy, the fans of the other will be unhappy.  Same event.  So the pursuit of happiness has to be measured individually, and that means I can’t pursue your happiness.  It is yours.  Mine is mine, and not everyone is made happy by having 4 dogs in their house, but I want them in my happy house.  Happiness is pursued differently… but it must be pursued.  I believe it must be a spiritual journey. People have different religions… or no religion, or a universalist approach, monotheistic, pantheistic or secular humanism.  You have a right to pursue any spiritual happiness you wish.  FOR ME, The evidence in.  It is impossible to pursue happiness without a spiritual approach.  

I have friends who will think this premise is absurd. Accepted. I will tell you why you think it is absurd momentarily.  But in my opinion it is no more absurd than thinking that President Biden or President Trump with just a bit more support could bring us the happiness we choose to pursue.  Unless of course, political and national strife bring you happiness.  Then enjoy your happiness.. No pursuit necessary.  You are Cinderella at the Ball.   I believe even the words of Thomas Jefferson enforce my belief that the founding of this country was backed by a Spiritual force, yes, by God.  “Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America.”

— Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775

 

And so it is apparent  to me that  this country was founded with an understanding of the importance of a Spiritual direction and spiritual guidance.  The Declaration of Independence has as the cornerstone of  LLPH …. God.  Yup … God.  “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  The Declaration of Independence promotes the importance of a spiritual understanding … that God, Nature’s God, The Creator are critical for this country to move forward and grow.  There must be a spiritual element to  “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”  Or the “unalienable rights” will indeed disappear.   

Observation Four:  Too many residents of the United States of America want to stop, deny, hide, ignore, that at the bedrock of this Nation is a Spiritual foundation, a Godly foundation.  And Americans confuse the separation of Church and State by squelching  the Church and the work of the Church.  Christmas has  often become an offensive label.  Is this because Christians relish their spiritual souls?  The Sept. 1, 2022, speech by President Biden in front of Independence Hall spoke closing with these phrases included,   “We the people… we are a nation that honors the rule of law…and our soul… the soul of the United States of America… nothing more sacred… this is who we will be…. The beacon to the world, … God Bless you all…”  BIDEN DECREES WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL PROBLEM…he just does not know it is a spiritual problem because it might offend some enlightened listeners.  Hell, let’s face it… It would cause him to lose an election if he said that.  But I will say it. This Declaration is a call to the Spirit, and call to a spiritual revival, whether by direction or implication, whether by intent or otherwise.

There is a difference between that which is spiritual and that which is law.  The rule of law is easy to research.. The Constitution and the 10 Commandments, are examples of the written rule of law.  In the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament, there are 613 Jewish commandments (mitzvot in Hebrew) extracted.   It is simple to put my finger on a list of laws and point them out and enforce them.  

 

However  I cannot point my finger at the soul of any Woman or Man.  I cannot extract the soul in the laboratory.  The soul is spiritual… impossible to prove  or measure by science.  Therefore, the soul of America, which President Biden called upon to act IS spiritual.  It IS A CALL TO FAITH IN THE UNSEEN.  The American call to action and life is a call to spiritual action.  By the way, I now know why this blog took weeks to write and ferment.  I needed my President to rally America to a Spiritual awakening.  (Just like Hobby Lobby was doing)  

Doctor, Will this country die?

The answers to the healing of America are found in the Spirit.  You can’t legislate spiritual growth.  No Political Party can legislate the health of a Nation.  Not Left, Not Right.  Our President is right… but I don’t think he understands his “rightness”  The key to changing America is in the Soul of America.  To heal the Soul, it will take a Spiritual cure.  People want to talk Political solutions… This discord is not a political problem. The degradation of the Nation is directly related to the degradation of the Nation’s relationship with the Creator. And woke/enlightened/universalist people don’t want to talk about the Spiritual cure. Secular Humanists just have to believe than can fix this with enough “goodness.”   But God Is The Source for the Cure.  

The Nation needs a Spiritual Revival.  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,” Psalm 33:12.  The Christians appear to be the only tribe calling for Spiritual Renewal. I see no evidence of any other group calling to administer the proper medicine other than Christians. So Hobby Lobby is guilty of prescribing the healing medicine that this country needs.

THERE!! The Mystery is solved.  By the way, the Mystery Book I read nearly every day IS The Bible.  Both the writings before Jesus and the writings after. And as I promised, I Will explain to those of you who do not agree with me, why you cannot agree with me.  It is just not possible to see the light if you choose to live darkness.   God is Light. God is Truth.

These are the words from my mystery book.               

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and they are not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

SHALOM