A New Birth of Freedom

On February 9, 2004, freedom was reborn in Hotel Ballroom in Boise, Idaho. City Councilman Alan Shealy had spearheaded an effort to remove the Ten Commandments from Julia Davis Park in Boise in hopes of quieting things down and getting back to business.

Instead he’d awakened a sleeping giant: the Christians of Boise. He and a fellow councilperson were there to listen to the citizens packing a standing room only ballroom. The even scheduled to be over at 9, lasted almost until 10 as the people let their representatives know what they thought.

I’ve never seen two politicians taken to the woodshed in such a manner. I spoke about how the city had decided to remove the monument based on a threat from Fred Phelps, the anti-gay hatemonger from Kansas as well as the ACLU. I informed them that their metal was being tested and found wanting and that the position of the people on this issue was clear and their job was to represent the interests of their constituents, not just to take the easy way out.

I was complimented by several people for what I said, but I don’t deserve the compliments. The people of Boise deserve praise. Dozens of people stood up and spoke. Many confessed that they’d never been to a political meeting before, some had never even voted, but now they would take a stand.

That they were raw, that they didn’t always say things smoothly or in a politically correct manner gave proof to their lack of experience, but this too is part of the wonder. All my life, I’ve seen well-experienced political activists stand before City Councils and various boards with their talking points and their well-honed rhetoric, but nothing is more powerful than simple honest words from concerned citizens.

They conducted themselves with dignity and with a degree of civility that I’ve not seen anywhere else in local politics. In Montana people became more heated and angry over a proposed mall development than the people of Boise did over the Ten Commandments. They were calm, but firm, showing resolve and restraint in the face of a very emotional issue.

In politics, it’s easy to become like the prophet, Elijah who felt that he was the only one left who stood for what was right. On that night, I saw that there were hundreds who have not bowed their knee to the Baal of this age. There is hope for this country and I saw that hope in Boise.

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