The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. – Leviticus 6:12

Today’s Scripture Reading (July 4, 2012): Leviticus 6

In some ways I think I am a-political. I actually love politics, but part of what I am in love with is the process. However, there are times when the process frustrates me, but maybe the most frustrating part is when the process is perverted. And often it is perverted by – us. We do not often see it that way. The strength of the process is the discussion over whatever the issue is at stake, but anytime we try to shut up the opposition we are perverting the process. And lately, that is exactly what I think we are trying to do. We have taken our discussion over issues and made them about things that really should not matter – things like race and religion. For instance, in the United States, it is quite proper to discuss the merits or failings of the health system, but when those conversations boil over into personal comments about race or religion of the various people involved; then we have crossed a line. We have perverted the process of the system.

Today is July 4. In the United States, it is Independence Day. It is the day that we stand and recognize that we all have a say in what happens in our culture. It was exactly what the framers of the Declaration of Independence complained that the King refused to do – he did not want to hear the people. It is the principal behind the idea of no taxation without representation. Unless we have a say, the government has no right to take our money. But that means that we need to value all people – regardless of religion, creed or race. When these things become the basis of our arguments, we are leaving democracy behind. And when that happens, it does not take long for something else to take its place. But the problem is that I do not think that anything based on race and creed can equal what it is that we already have - democracy.

Israel was designed to be a theocracy – a nation ruled by God. And the fire on the altar reminded the nation that God was on the throne, and because it was always lit, God was seen to be always present. And as long as God was present, there would be no vacuum for any other god to fill. There was no reason to create another golden calf – their God was still there.

As we celebrate Independence day, we need to make sure that the fire of democracy remains lit. And that means that the discussion is important, and the discussion needs to focus around the really issues. Cue the fireworks.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Leviticus 7