It is my sense that in each of these three examples, a vision of an end-state for
rural America was driving the effort: peaceful, productive communities every six
miles across the land.. .peopled by well-trained, effective agriculturists, along with
merchants, professionals and tradesmen. The vision included the idea that intentional,
corrective measures could be designed to address the shortcomings and failures,
correcting the bad and installing the good.
Let me sum up my line of reasoning to this point. First, vision drives most
significant historical movements. Second, the kingdom-of-God vision, in three versions,
has been an important player in the history of U.S. America. Third, rural public policy
has been undergirded by these three foci of the kingdom-of-God vision from the
earliest days of the nation. And, of course, all of this has built upon the presupposition
that religion can and should be a full partner in public policy debate, provided that it
comes to the table with the understanding drawn from Roger Williams and from
Stephen Carter: Religion is to be a full partner, not a dominator nor a doormat.
But, as a transition to my other points, let me note that in this discussion of
vision I have been preparing the ground for the other points I will address. I also have
been preparing for the presentation of my thesis: Rather than to continue developing
public policy that puts patches on the old vision for rural America, it is time for the
formation of a new vision. I hope that it will contain many elements of the old, be
purged of the sins of the old, and be couched in the best understanding we can generate
of the diverse current context and of future trends.
Virtues and Values
Robert Bellah and his associates did us a great service about a decade ago when
they identified and chronicled the sources of the values that seem to drive the personal
and social lives of many Americans. Habits of the Heart finds deep commitments to
individual freedom and corporate responsibility among us. It also notes how often we
can legitimize very bizarre actions by appealing to these values. Further, it illustrates
how these values can come into conflict within a person, among persons and within
the society (Bellah et al.).
As I have reflected upon these findings, I have not only agreed with them but
also been reminded of the greater truth: If one divorces a value from an overarching
vision, the stage is set for tragedy.
The story of Adam and Eve as found in Genesis, Chapter 3, identifies the
appeal of good values (appreciating beauty, wanting wisdom, seeking good relations
with one’s mate) as their excuse for disobeying the command of God. Likewise, we
read daily of persons who have done terrible things to others, but seem to excuse
themselves by citing such values as need, freedom, and the righting of a wrong.
Good values, separated from a true vision, often will result in bad actions. This
seems to be a very significant axiom for ethical reflection.
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