Being in the “In” Crowd

Differences between Bushes, Clintons, and Obamas are of degree, not kind. Moreover, 2009-10 establishment Republicans sought only to modify the government’s agenda while showing eagerness to join the Democrats in new grand schemes, if only they were allowed to. Sen. Orrin Hatch continued dreaming of being Ted Kennedy, while Lindsey Graham set aside what is true or false about “global warming” for the sake of getting on the right side of history. No prominent Republican challenged the ruling class’s continued claim of superior insight, nor its denigration of the American people as irritable children who must learn their place. The Republican Party did not disparage the ruling class, because most of its officials are or would like to be part of it.-The American Spectator

Being worried about being a member of the “in” crowd is such a natural human concern that it almost passes by unremarked in today’s world. And this desire to be a part of the “in” crowd has probably always played a part in politics, from the earliest days of human history to the present. We just have to go back to the story of the crucifixion of Jesus to see this, in fact.

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” John 19:12

“If you release him, you are not Caesar’s friend…” So, then, what is different about today? Why is it this desire to be “in” has become such a huge problem in our society, controlling our politics to the point of causing the Government to some very odd things —things that are clearly self destructive to America, things that are clearly against the will of the people at large? C.S. Lewis warned us about this very specific problem some 50 or 60 years ago.

The old social classes have broken up. On the one hand, since most men, as Aristotle observed, do not like to be merely equal with all other men, we ind all sorts of people building themselves into groups within which they can feel superior to mass… On the other hand, inevitably, there is coming into existence a new, real, ruling class; what has been called the Managerial Class. The coalescence of these two groups, the unofficial, self-appointed aristocracy of the Cultures and the actual Managerial rules, will bring us to Charientocracy. -Lilies that Fester

It’s no accident that this generation, the generation where this specific fear for the future comes true, is the second full generation to attend public schools on a global scale.

Today’s ruling class, from Boston to San Diego, was formed by an educational system that exposed them to the same ideas and gave them remarkably uniform guidance, as well as tastes and habits. These amount to a social canon of judgments about good and evil, complete with secular sacred history, sins (against minorities and the environment), and saints. Using the right words and avoiding the wrong ones when referring to such matters — speaking the “in” language — serves as a badge of identity.

But Mr. Lewis didn’t catch one part of the revolution that is critical; there were once many “in crowds,” scattered all over the world. Even within the US, there were once many “in crowds.” The competition to control and rule made it so no single group could dominate the other. But these various elite groups, these “in crowds,” have now combined, globally, into one elite “in crowd.” This crowd is firmly in control, and intends to stay in control at all costs. The question is: thinking from within a Christian worldview, what am I to do?

The first possible answer is to rebel. And far be it from me to say that Christians shouldn’t fight this global elite, even though it includes “christians,” people who sincerely believe they are advancing the cause of Christ by “belonging.” But I think we need to think long and hard about the road before us. There are some fundamental actions the Church needs to take right now if we are to have any hope of fighting this global elite.

First, Christians need to rethink the doctrines of separation and witnessing. We need to look inside ourselves and realize the desire to “belong” to the world is a sin like any other. In a world of people who teach their children through team sports and the public schools that belonging, being a “team player,” is the most desirable trait in a person, Christians need to be unafraid to separate.

Second, Christians need to get out of the public schools. When I confront Christians about sending their children to public schools, the usual response I get is, “I’m teaching my children to not trust what their science teacher is teaching them about evolution.” Why can’t Christian parents see the problem is the worldview? Seeing the results of our “socialization” based public schools in Mr. Obama and the entire political scene, why can’t Christians connect the dots?

Third, think through what cost you’re willing to pay, and where we are in history. Rebellion against this ruling class will cost. A very serious question to ask is this: If we are truly in the last days —and I believe we are— what line should rebellion take? Jesus didn’t say to fight for Jerusalem, he said to flee. Wisdom is in knowing the right reaction at the right time. Is there truly enough of a base of people in America who don’t desire to be members of the “in crowd” to make any sort of rebellion possible? It’s an open question to which I don’t know the answer. Is it better to begin building an underground organization now? Is it better to hide our views, or to speak the truth openly?

I think the first two are musts within the Christian community. Rethink separation, and get out of the public schools. Beyond this, the questions are open, and I don’t know the answers. But they are worth considering prayerfully and seriously.