Confer with . . . ?

 I did not confer with any human being . . . 

 - From Galatians 1

We have to save our democracy.

Seriously, is this not one of the most cringeworthy refrains of our time?

For over two centuries, the idea of a republican form of government was treated as an essential tenet of our society. Both Democrats and Republicans . . . and independents, understood this. 

If freedom of speech and of conscience were still highly valued, there would be no problem. We could discuss the merits of all forms of government, openly and without personal vitriol. We would operate as mature adults, as sober citizens that can debate, listen, collaborate, learn, and grow.

In fact, this curtailment of free speech is exactly one of the primary threats (clearly understood by all intelligent people), to a nation that has adopted "democracy" as its rallying cry. 

"Democracy" is a purposefully vague and shadowy concept. It sounds good. By default, one must be careful not to argue against it. It has been cemented upon the psyches of the youngest generations of our leadership class, as an absolute virtue. We can't really define it. We do not want to talk about any possible downside to it (in fact, we forbid you from doing such). We only know that it's as essential to us as oxygen, and that anyone daring to question it must be treated as a mass shooter, or worse: a racist. 

Public schools used to be awash with inspirational posters - up and down the hallways, in almost every classroom - celebrating the supremacy of the individual. Kids were encouraged to "be themselves." To stand up against the crowd, even if you must stand alone. It was very clear that this was a shared value of our culture. 

This was the norm up until about 2020.

Not so today.

This messaging has been taken down. It has been cut out of the value set that we want handed down to our kids. Why? Because "democracy" is the concept we want placed aggressively forefront. Democracy only and always. Democracy without exception. Pure democracy, or more accurately: the illusion of democracy. Advertising experts and psychologists, with the right political alignments, know how to persuade people that this is what the democracy wants. And if you go against the democracy, you must be treated as the outcast that you are. You will learn not to go against the people. 

The Apostle Paul showed a different way, a better way. His path is decidedly Christian. It elevates the dignity of the individual. It realizes that the closer you get to Truth, the nearer you draw to God, the fewer the people around you. It is lonely at the top - and every human endeavor organizes itself into a pyramid. If you want to become more skilled, more talented, more honest, more effective, more wealthy, more healthy, more pure . . . you must keep pushing upward, and you must be willing to rely more and more on yourself alone.

Yourself, and God. 

Paul refused the advice of others. He had seen the Risen Lord. He had embraced the truth. He had been filled with the Holy Spirit. He had all he needed. And the call of the crowd, to the great apostle, was like the call of any siren, any human being with something delicious or carnally satisfying, to offer. 

In fact, approval of the crowd might be the most seductive temptation of all. And after all . . . Democracy really is nothing other than gaining approval from a crowd - a crowd that wants one thing today, but something totally anathema to that, the next day.