BLOG: The Battle Rages. America’s Culture War and the Role of Law Enforcement.
We are at war. I am sure someone will say that is inflammatory or bothersome, but it is true. In 1991, thirty-one years ago, James Davison Hunter released a book titled Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America. In 1994, he released a sequel titled, Before the Shooting Begins: Searching for Democracy in America’s Culture War. These writings were the reference for an article from last year that was in Politico Magazine. The article’s title was How the ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy. In the article, the author, Zack Stanton, spoke with James Hunter, looking back at these books from thirty years ago.
Does the divide in the country seem worse since 1991? I would say the ‘war’ has undoubtedly intensified, which is in line with the premise offered by Zack Stanton. He mentions how Hunter’s original goal was to “come to terms with the unfolding conflict” and, perhaps, defuse some of the tensions he saw bubbling.[1]The apparent finding was “Instead, 30 years later, Hunter sees America as having doubled down on the “war” part—with the culture wars expanding from issues of religion and family culture to take over politics almost totally, creating a dangerous sense of winner-take-all conflict over the future of the country.”[2]
The article, which includes a question and answer, is thought-provoking and worth a read, even if you have a differing opinion on the “sides” of the war. The observations that Hunter makes are interesting. He points out that though Culture Wars do not have to lead to a shooting war, there has never been a shooting war without a culture war preceding it.[3] He also differentiates between political issues and culture war fights: “On political matters, one can compromise; on matters of ultimate moral truth, one cannot.”[4]
It is here that I want to start. The culture wars are indicative of a deep divide in this country. A chasm that I do not believe we can cross or find a middle ground. I think that it is a crucial distinction to talk about political differences versus moral differences. There are undoubtedly many issues in the political spectrum where we may be able to “agree to disagree.” Big Government versus small Government, taxation, and welfare programs, are just a few of the numerous things on which people may differ and still be able to find the middle ground. More importantly, they are areas where differing viewpoints can coexist.
When the issues become moral, that divide increases, and the ability to find a middle ground disappears. Simply, there are ethical issues for which there is no compromise. Many of the problems we see coming to the forefront in 2022 fit this description, and they are issues on which two differing viewpoints can never agree, no matter how much conversation and debate takes place.
“The divide is so deep and polarizing because the culture war is currently a battle for the actual soul of a country.”
Add to this situation the gasoline of silencing the other side of the town square, and fire will eventually erupt. If you feel it is a winner-take-all scenario and one side is winning by these uncivilized tactics, you will ultimately act out of what Hunter describes as a “fear of extinction.”[5] This belief is that if my side loses, we lose everything. This is precisely where we are in America.
In some ways, especially in the days after the recent Dobbs Decision, I would disagree with Hunter’s statement that the fear of extinction is primarily on the right and say that it is firmly rooted on both sides of almost any argument. There is no middle ground, and no matter where you stand on nearly every issue, you see the opposite opinion as a direct assault on your way of life.
I would argue that this is not hyperbole or incorrect in many cases. Many of the cultural and political issues raging right now are not compatible. If one side wins, the other loses, period. I agree with the thesis of the title that Stanton chose for this article. The ‘Culture War’ could break his definition of “democracy.” I would say it differently. If the culture war is not won by those in line with the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and “biblical theology or ecclesiastical tradition,”[6] as Hunter described, I would argue that it will be the end of the Republic.
The divide is so deep and polarizing because the culture war is currently a battle for the actual soul of a country. In fairness, both sides feel this deeply. If you have bought into the Progressive dream, misuse the term “democracy” to refer to this Republic, and believe America’s founding is fundamentally flawed. You would feel that to return to the founding principles would also be the death of your Utopian dream.
As I sat down to write this post, I read several articles on the “culture wars.” One commonality was this underlying, not fully articulated plea that if we don’t solve this divide, Civil War, National Divorce, or some other permeant and possibly violent separation was inevitable. The interesting part was that this was on both sides. These dystopian statements are not solely right-wing rhetoric or left-wing propaganda. There is a core conviction across the aisle; maybe the only thing we can agree on is that the bond is irrevocably broken without a miracle. This is concerning, but it may be a glimpse at a future about which we all must begin to be honest.
Remember sitting down and completing a pros and cons list. You know the decision-making matrix, where you draw a line down the center of a piece of paper and write pros on the left column and cons on the right. Then whatever decision is at hand, you would note the positives on the left or the good things that may come from the decision. On the left, you would write why this may not be the best decision or the negative things that could come from it.
“If the culture war is not won by those in line with the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and “biblical theology or ecclesiastical tradition,”[6] as Hunter described, I would argue that it will be the end of the Republic. ”
If we were to take this exercise but rather than list pros and cons, title it for negotiables and non-negotiables. Then take a list of the current cultural and political flashpoints. Go down the list and determine if it is something that you, in good conscience, can negotiate on, in other words. In this area, a proverbial middle ground exists, and on the other side, write down the issues where no middle ground exists because it is an issue that is as etched in stone as the ten commandments. I believe that for many of us on either side of a topic, we would find that list of non-negotiables is far greater than the list of things we could find a compromise. Even mentally going through this list as I write, I can only think of a couple where a conversation is warranted.
I believe, and I know I am not the only one, that some things are absolute. Take the founding documents; you can erroneously accuse them of sexism, racism, or anything else you can dream up with your everchanging ‘history,’ but they are non-negotiable. If the writers of the Declaration of Independence would pledge their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” on these sacred principles, how would staking anything less than my life on them be reasonable? This level of pledge is proper for many issues at the forefront of our national conversation. If what you desire to do is in stark opposition to the principles of the United States of America on which it is founded or in direct opposition to scripture, they are life and death issues. There is no compromise, and there never can be a compromise.
What are we to do? There are many things in the Politico article that I disagree with, from the context and wording of questions to the conclusions they drew. However, I did like the final paragraph, the somewhat hopeful paragraph where the article concludes. Hunter answering a question, states, “I have this old-fashioned view that what we’re supposed to do is to understand before we take action, and that wisdom depends upon understanding.”[7] I do find wisdom in this answer. It is also refreshing in a time of cancel culture and violent opposition to opinion. It almost echoes the foundation of this country, where civil discourse can lead to understanding what the other person believes.
I don’t know what the future looks like for America, and I would love to say that she will be the beacon of hope that she was when I was a child for my children and posterity. Unfortunately, I think that is somewhat of a nonsensical viewpoint anymore. For America to last even another decade at the rate of her current decline, we will have to take drastic measures and find serious solutions. As a strong Constitutional Conservative, we can no longer wait for the next election for the politicians to save us. Waiting for elected officials to save us is laughable since we only need to look at the last few years to see that it will not work. For starters, there are no political answers to spiritual problems. The current ‘culture war’ is less about ‘culture’ and more about spiritual decline.
I see strong arguments for “extreme measures” such as a National Divorce or other general ideas like the Convention of States that would allow for peaceful solutions to the inevitable end this train is racing towards based on history. At the same time, my heart goes out to those in law enforcement and those entering this career field. Everything happening in society will affect you, from one extreme to the other. No matter how this transition plays out, law enforcement will be in the middle, and if the last two years have taught us anything, the center is a violent place.
I encourage anyone who is reading this article to do some soul-searching. I encourage you to write down the top twenty issues, look at both sides of the argument, and see if you can find a middle ground that is room for negotiation. Most importantly, I encourage you to consider what you believe. The world that is coming and is already here will require you to be firmly rooted in your beliefs. If you are on the fence about issues, don’t think they are a big deal, or have some unrealistic Utopian dream you intend to wish into existence, then you will want to know that about yourself.
“In the meantime, I pray for the safety, wisdom, and courage of those on the front lines daily. I pray that you will have the strength to stand and not compromise, have faith when fear begins to surround you, and have protection from whatever evils await you.”
We are in times that make strong men and women. These are not easy days, and I would be doing a disservice to pretend that they will get easier anytime soon. Now before
I get branded a pessimist; let me be clear. I do believe in miracles. I think great people will arise because the fires we are entering will forge them into great people. I believe America has a chance, but getting there will be a struggle like nothing we have experienced in my lifetime. I am even excited at the young men and women that I think society can raise who will effectively become the new founders of this country. They will be young men and women who can speak to this current culture but will stand in the gap and bring us back to the Founder’s Original Intent. It is incredible to live at a time to see these miracles happen. Unfortunately, times of miracles typically go hand and hand with times of great affliction.
The culture war matters to law enforcement because it will, directly and indirectly, define their job for decades to come. It will play a part in your relationship with the community you serve, the politicians in charge of your agency, and the social disruption that may erupt in your service area. The culture war matters because people on both sides of the disagreement will hate you as the representation of the Government. It also matters because being in this position is dangerous and will affect your ability to do your job and your safety doing the job.
It also matters because there may come a day, and we have seen it at some agencies in the last couple of years, where you may have to decide between your beliefs and the badge. These will never be easy decisions, and I repeat, you must know what you believe before that moment comes, and you have to make a choice that may forever change your life.
I pray we find a peaceful solution to the division in this country. I pray that revival occurs, the spiritual answer begins to take root, and changing the hearts of men begins to take place. In the meantime, I pray for the safety, wisdom, and courage of those on the front lines daily. I pray that you will have the strength to stand and not compromise, have faith when fear begins to surround you, and have protection from whatever evils await you.
God Bless the men and women in blue.
[1] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy,” Zack Stanton, Politico, May 20, 2021,https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/05/20/culture-war-politics-2021-democracy-analysis-489900
[2] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy.”
[3] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy.”
[4] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy.”
[5] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy.”
[6] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy.”
[7] “How The ‘Culture War’ Could Break Democracy.”
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Wayne Mulder is a law enforcement officer, speaker, writer and the host of the On The Blue Line podcast. Wayne is an advocate for law enforcement officer total health programs and a believer in empowering law enforcement officers in their personal lives. For more on his mission visit OnTheBlueLine.com.