There but for the grace of God go I

Like many members of this community, I have given a lot of thought to the issue of "Democratic core values."  I've made attempts - some I've diaried on, others I haven't -- to articulate those values.  As a community and party, I think we still have a long way to go on this issue.  In this diary, I want to take a bit of a different tack.  Instead of offering up another list, I want to focus on a phrase that I keep coming back to whenever I think about this issue:  "there but for the grace of God go I."

This phrase is certainly not a value, but I think it lies deeply at the heart of what separates us from Republicans.  And, I think that seriously reflecting on it may ultimately help us as we try to articulate our core values.

Now, there are two distinct ways this phrase is used and I refer only to one.  The first use is when tragedy strikes someone because of a set of circumstances that very nearly apply to you.  For example after September 11th, someone who worked at the WTC but called in sick that day might have said, "there but for the grace of God go I."

But, there is a second use.  The statement can be uttered when tragedy strikes someone whose circumstances are not at all like ours.  In this use, the implication is, of course, that although our circumstances may seem to differ, those differences of circumstances are attributable to nothing but God's grace.  As many of us watched the horror of Katrina unfold, we thought to ourselves, "there but for the grace of God go I."  Now, I'm a pretty cautious person with the means to pack up the car, fill up the tank and head out of town for a few days if need ever be.  So, in that sense, no I was not a likely candidate to be trapped in the New Orleans Convention Center (even had I lived in New Orleans).  But, the point of the sentiment is that my caution and my means are not something that makes me an inherently better person than someone who is less cautious and without means.  And, more generally, tragedy can strike anyone at anytime regardless of character or circumstances.  We are grateful for what we have and for the positive aspects of our personality and character.  But, we reject the notion that there is any inevitability or entitlement to our good fortune, or that we are different in any fundamental way from those to whom tragedy, or mere bad fortune, befalls.  And, we recognize that the path that led us to our good fortune may involve tragedy down the road and could have, with only very slight changes, diverged dramatically from what it was.

And, of course, this perspective, that at root we are no better or worse than the vast majority of our fellow human beings, is precisely what drives our core values.  If the lot of my downtrodden neighbor is not mine only because of "God's grace", and if I genuinely believe that it could be my lot down the road, then I will care deeply about doing whatever I can to improve the lot of my downtrodden neighbors.

Republicans, on the other hand, enthusiastically embrace the idea that the poor and the downtrodden are poor and downtrodden because of some flaw in their character.  They aren't like you and me.  They are "the other."  This is a view we reject with every fiber of our being.

I don't know if this takes any closer to a statement of our core values.  But, my instincts tell me the key lurks within the sentiment that "there but for the grace of God go I."

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  I suppose some people will take issue with the God-phrasing, but the morality of what you describe with these words is one that can be reached through reason and human empathy as well as religion.

  by eebee on Thu Oct 13, 2005 at 12:33:04 PM PDT

•  Hit the nail on the head

     Yes, I agree, enthusiastically. This spiritual concept is profound in its meaning and difficult in its practice.  I believe for me, it has been a godsend concept. Grace as I see it is about healing in the many forms that humans can strive for. It is a protection against pride that can evolve out of that "other perception you talk about."  I find that many in the Republican party seem to drift towards the perception of seeing the less fortunate or just being different than them as the " enemy ."  I find this true in general with the authoritarian personality that seems to describe the extreme fringes of fundamentalism. Prejudice , hate, demonizing, seems to give this group a sense of purpose and identity.
          In AA, I know I can overuse this reference to a recovery group, but I must give credit where credit is due , to my encounter with this concept. This idea of but for the grace of God , can also strengthen our empathy for others,
  The idea is that if one has overcome some of life's difficulties, it will be easy to see many who have not. Isn't empathy one of the strong characteristics of those who involved themselves in the Civil Rights movement? Those who created social security? And today the organizations that fight the injustice of cruel and unusual punishmeent.  I do believe that Empathy is one of the outstanding qualities that defines a liberal.
  How this distinguishes the Bush Administration and their " in your face " policies. How they deliberately hurt the poor, so that they can appease their base and their large money contributers.
       I believe there is another benefit of practicing this "perception of thanking God for the benfits of grace. And that is the act of forgiveness. Jesus said to love thy enemy. How counterintuitive this screams out at me. Pride demands that I belittle and attack and destroy my enemy. Hell, war is based on demonization of the enemy. But forgiveness demands that one forgive one's abuser, so that one can heal, and move on.
  This concept can be extremely difficult and can take some a lifetime to achieve. Revenge seems to be quick , but is served cold.
          I believe you have a great idea, that spiritual principles (not religious dogma) can lead us to discover the democratic party core values and refreshing new ideals to stand on . After all we are all human who share these traits in one form or another. We certainly don't want to push the Far Right agenda of " you are with us or against us insanity. Iraq Quagmire is the very proof of this insanity.

  by Blue Generalist on Thu Oct 13, 2005 at 01:32:31 PM PDT

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  I am not a believer, but I find myself using this phrase a lot.  I think it captures a key value or attitude.  And it's a simple touchstone for describing the difference between a liberal and wingnut.

  by mkc on Thu Oct 13, 2005 at 01:47:34 PM PDT

  •  grace of God

    Thanks for the feedback eebee, Blue and mkc.  If the diary weren't long enough already, I would have said that I don't think you have to believe in God (I'm agnostic myself) to buy into what I'm saying.  That said, to Blue's point, there is a lot in the concept of grace itself that goes beyond what I discussed but is well worth thinking about in relation to core values.  Like you, Blue, the concept of grace has been very important in my life.

    by jay l on Thu Oct 13, 2005 at 02:41:09 PM PDT