Independence Day: We the People

We the People. Those three words conjure up definitive images and thoughts in the minds of the people of the United States of America. For some, it evokes feelings of patriotism, pride, images of an American flag flapping in the wind, voting, and breathing the air of freedom. In this country, it’s the cornerstone to equality; freedom from slavery; liberty from oppression, and to the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For some, these words ring right and true. For others, the concepts are great, but they have not been realized. 

In Order To Form A More Perfect Union

Those first three words represent the standard for which we strive to live in the USA. We the People. The Preamble to the Constitution is just one sentence, but contains seven different powerful action statements that could be read like this: “In Order to form a more perfect Union. Establish Justice. Insure domestic Tranquility. Provide for the common defense. Promote the general Welfare. Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Equal Protection

It is the Constitution that guarantees equal protection under the law, prohibits slavery, grants women the right to vote, allows us to own and carry guns, and gives us the freedom to speak out against our government without retribution. It is the Constitution that prohibits the government from telling us what god to serve, what religion to practice, or where or how we worship.

July 4 & The Church

American churches every year on or before July 4, celebrate this country and the Declaration of Independence that declared our independence from England. I’ve been in churches in which we put on patriotic programs, sang patriotic songs such as “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful”, and thanked God that we live in a society free to worship Him. Yet, we neglect to recognize that the Declaration of Independence declares, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights….” We either believe those words written in 1776, plus those of the Constitution, its Amendments, and the jurisprudence of our revered United States Supreme Court apply to ALL people within the United States, or we’re merely giving lip service to patriotism and love of country.

Women Liberated In The United States

In the 1970s, women began to win equality through the law as SCOTUS rendered several opinions that women were to be treated equally, thus reinforcing the idea that “We the People” means all people, including women. Just as the Civil Rights Movement gained traction and victories in the courtrooms of America, so did the women. Almost 200 years after “We the People” was originally written, the United States Supreme Court repeatedly made it clear that “We the People” means everyone, regardless of race or gender.

Women Liberated By Jesus

Approximately 2000 years ago, Jesus liberated women, but the interpretation of Paul’s words put us back in our cages. As a result, men have controlled doctrine, theology, purse strings, decisions over programs within the church, and what is preached from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Capable and extraordinary women have been denied opportunities to lead and preach, due only to the fact they were women.

America And The Church

The mixing of church with America and American values happens every Sunday in churches across this great nation. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as long as there’s a recognition that American values include equality and equal treatment of all of its citizens, regardless of race or gender (and that we don’t worship America, we worship God). SCOTUS, an American institution and the pinnacle of the Judicial Branch of our government, has made it clear that equality is an American value and core principle. It is hypocrisy for the conservative and evangelical church to promote patriotism and nationalism but to reject the core principles of the Constitution of the United States, the equality of men and women of all races, the full meaning of those first three words, “We the People.”

Equal Protection Clause

In the United States, we have a mandate found in the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution known as the “Equal Protection Clause.” This Amendment became law only after a very bloody and deadly Civil War, being ratified in 1868. This Amendment mandated “We the People” such that the laws of the United States are to be equally applied to all United States citizens. That is, all citizens are equally protected under the laws of the United States of America. Significant blood was shed and lives lost by soldiers and civilians for “We the People” to have no exception for women, or people of color. Likewise, Jesus shed blood for the freedom of all, with no exception for women or people color. All means all.

God Doesn’t Discriminate

God does not discriminate based on our gender. He has given us gifts and abilities that only He can direct how they are used. He has placed us in a country full of opportunity and freedoms not realized by women in other countries. Though we struggle, we have victory in Him. Redemption for women and the church is found in Jesus alone, but an American institution has provided us a path. The Supreme Court of the United States has declared women give value to our country, deserve the opportunities afforded men in this country, and should be treated equally. Whether referencing the American Church or America itself, we women are truly a valuable, treasured, and equal part of “We the People.”

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You’ve just read excerpts from my book, “Equal Protection Under God: Gender equality and the roles of women in the church.” The book is available online wherever you buy books. It’s available as an e-reader and in Audible and iTunes. Click on the “Equal Protection Under God” link at the top of the page to get the first chapter of the book for FREE.