The Easter season is one that holds particular power. It is a time of reflection, as believers are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice. But potent as the images of the Passion are, they are indicative of so much more. Christ’s actions in death, as in life, are a parable that is particularly applicable to the individualism that dominates American philosophy, in private and public life.
Who was Christ, if not the preeminent individualist? He was a man who was aware of his inevitable fate, yet willingly went to it because he believed in its righteousness. His own moral convictions, not those of others, guided him. He hoped for the future. Because of this, he was able to bear the horrors of being persecuted and crucified.
How perfectly the heritage of America reflects this example. The Founding Fathers described the overreaching despotism of British judgment and declared their right to autonomy, particularly in determining and pursuing individual happiness. Openly entering into rebellion, they understood that, should they fail, they would be tried and condemned for treason. This did not deter them because they truly believed in the righteousness of their cause.
Consider the irrationality of a tiny, divided nation with few independent resources taking on the world’s military superpower — facing condemnation even from their own countrymen. How powerful is that iconic image of George Washington praying at Valley Forge during a harsh winter, made harsher by continuous defeat, aware that his ragtag army did not have the provisions to sustain themselves. What despair he must have felt. How easy resignation to defeat must have seemed. Yet, with everything against him, he persisted, as did the fight for liberty. What else but belief in the righteousness of their cause could have provided the impetus to move forward? This attitude is the inheritance of every American, and it strongly connotes that rugged individualism espoused by Christ.
This impulse to achieve autonomy extends beyond the private realm and into the public. Capitalism is a system in which relationships are entered into with the mutual understanding that each party is trading a reciprocally acceptable value. Money is prized because it represents an individual’s unique strength. People vote with their money, endorsing ideas that are representative of their own moral convictions. Interactions based on this principle are not driven by the compulsion of force.
Republican principles of government follow this theme: Each individual votes according to his or her conscience. When representatives violate the trust of their constituents, they are removed from office. In this system, the master answers to the servants.
When this system fails, as it inevitably must from time to time, these failings too are evocative of Biblical precedent. Pontius Pilate knew Christ was innocent, yet acquiesced to the people’s demands anyway, for fear of a revolt. What a stunning allegory for modern governance. How many elected representatives turn a blind eye to abuses of the law because they fear public pressure, more concerned with reelection than following their moral compass and justly upholding the law? And, in the wake of this failure, injustice reigns.
In the modern world, it is easy to push religion to the sidelines of daily life. After all, since theocracy is a quick path towards tyranny, it would be best leave religiosity in houses of worship. But, this attitude, too, is folly. True, Christ separates his demands from those of Caesar’s, which is a compelling argument for separation of church and state, but principles are not like an article of clothing that can be put on and discarded at will.
As Christ stood before his tormentors, he did not abandon his convictions. Neither should modern man, if he wishes to take on the world. This is not because religion declares certain values correct, but because self-determination reveals a set of values to be true and religion embraces them. After all, we are not omniscient; we can only determine right in his own context and strive to live in accordance with it. This is the example Christ sets. It is perhaps the most important lesson we can take from the Easter season.
Katherine Revello is a second-year journalism and political science student.