07/04/2026
On this 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, Father Jim shares this reflection on the Church's role in the pursuit of freedom."
Wise words from Bishop James Barrow Brown, retired Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana" as posted by Travers Koerner.
"As we approach Independence Day, it’s a good time to think about the vision that was the foundation of the American Dream. The Declaration of Independence describes the dream of a country free to choose its own path to a country without a king, a czar, an emperor or any other claimant to absolute power. Instead of subordination to a ruler, the people were to be free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. The Declaration declared those to be inalienable rights. The constitution was the plan to make that American dream a real possibility. But the plan was imperfect; under its provisions, not everyone was able to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. The most obvious were those
African Americans who were counted as only three-fifths of a person. Nor were women given the right to vote. The Dream was restricted. Its fulfilment lies in the future. Those two issues did not become resolved until the Civil War. The pursuit of happiness was opened somewhat for these two groups by the 13 th, the14 th and 19 th amendments.
What is the role of religion in reaching the goal of the American Dream? Historically, religious leaders led the charge against slavery and religious leadership has been active in securing the right to vote for African Americans. Apart from the Society of Friends, the mainstream of the church did not raise women to leadership until the present
generation. Even though Christian women are the backbone of congregational life. The American Dream is still evolving, even in the churches.
The constitution rejects the establishment of religion, yet frees the church from entanglement with the government, the state. That has given the church freedom to speak truth to power and the responsibility to pray for the government, whether it’s in the hands of your political party or not. While the American Dream is not the same as the Kingdom of God, it supports a free search for happiness that, we believe, can only be God’s gift. So, take some time on the 4 th of July to thank God who in His Providence has placed us in this land where we can seek and find happiness as citizens of the United States but with the hope of becoming citizens of the Kingdome of God".
The Right Reverend James Barrow Brown
