The Election, Your Spirituality, & the Soul of our Nation #5: Humility

So let’s reflect on how to lessen the appeal of the idols, and how to cultivate some spiritual equilibrium during this election season. The recipe that’s good for your soul is, not surprisingly, also what is required for the healing of the soul of our nation.

Our primal disease of mind and soul is a lack of humility – at least on the subject of politics. Everyone is so very sure. Being sure fosters anger – in you, but also in those who aren’t sure you’re sure. Being so sure fosters fear too, as you’re burying a little unacknowledged suspicion you might be wrong. A friend suggested to me a great starting spot for us: could we being to say “I might be wrong. Probably not. But I might be.”

Humility is a fabulous word in itself. It’s related to human. Humility is simply being human; lack of humility is unhuman, inhumane. The root of the word is humus, “earth.” It’s good to be earthy, down to earth, seeing what’s in and under the earth, the roots of things. And humus sounds like hummus. I love the graffiti on that ugly wall of division between Israelis and Palestinians in Bethlehem: “Make hummus, not walls.” My friend Rose Hamid, thinking how to build a bridge to those who distrust or misunderstand Muslims, offered a class on “How to Make Hummus” – an Arab specialty. We had a blast.

Humility listens. Humility doesn’t blame. Humility honors. Humility is merciful with flaws. Humility defers. Jesus was renowned for his humility in action, word, and posture toward any and everyone. He was humble enough to be gentle and welcoming. The only people who got his dander up were the cocksure who felt anointed to judge others.

Humility is curious. Curiosity, way more than certainty, is at the heart of faith and spirituality. Humility knows what it doesn’t know. The humble are delighted to learn they were wrong. Donald Trump famously stated, during his 2016 campaign, that he never asks God for forgiveness. This comment was totally misread by liberal and centrist clergy and pious people, who thundered against him. But as often is the case, Trump merely mirrored most Americans, who’ve neglected confession in their praying, and are lousy at saying I’m sorry, I was wrong. Again, we’re so sure we’re sure. Humility asks and keeps asking for new knowledge, and correction.

What about the soul of the nation? What if we sought out and voted for candidates who were humble? I’d vote for the guy who readily says I was wrong. I’ve learned new things now. Winston Churchill was vilified by changing parties and policy stances – leading him to quip “I’d rather be right than consistent.”

What if we sought out and voted for candidates who, instead of snidely mocking their foes, knew how to laugh at themselves? Ronald Reagan was the master. When quizzed about taking afternoon naps, he replied, “It’s true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance? I’ve left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I’m in a cabinet meeting.”

I’ll close with wisdom from another Republican. In his 2000 debate with Al Gore, George W. Bush said “I think the United States must be humble, proud and confident of our values, but humble… If we’re an arrogant nation, they’ll resent us.  If we’re a humble nation, but strong, they’ll welcome and respect us.” That’s Soul of our Nation wisdom. Aspirational. Hopeful. Humble.