David Beale

Fighting Christian Nationalism with an Open Heart Lessons from Ram Dass and Jesus

Jesus didn’t fight empire by becoming empire. He out-loved it.

Ram Dass said, ‘Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.’

What if we took that seriously?

New essay: Fighting Christian Nationalism with an Open Heart.

#ProgressiveChristianity #LoveOverFear

Hard to preach Jesus while cheering for policies that crush the very people he commanded us to care for. If your faith aligns more with power than with the poor, it’s time to ask who you’re really following.

This didn’t come out of nowhere—it was manufactured. The same playbook has been used for centuries: pick a vulnerable group, fabricate a moral panic, and use it to consolidate power. Fascism doesn’t innovate—it recycles. Recognizing the pattern is the first step to stopping it.

I started this essay a few weeks ago, and somehow, it’s turned into the outline for a book.

Nothing brings me more peace than the teachings of Jesus—yet nothing infuriates me more than watching those same teachings twisted into fuel for fascism.

I’ve been writing a lot this year, and distilling my best nuggets into substack posts. Free for all, just a place to share!

open.substack.com/pub/theunedu...

1. Introduction to Martial Law What is Martial Law? Martial law is the temporary imposition of direct military control over civil functions or the suspension of civil law. Governments may declare martial law during emergencies such as natural disasters, war, or civil unrest. However, misuse of martial law can undermine democratic rights and civil liberties. Legal Foundations of Martial Law: In many countries, martial law can only be declared under specific conditions and often requires approval from the legislative branch. In the United States, for example, the Posse Comitatus Act limits the use of federal military personnel in enforcing domestic policies. Potential Misuses of Martial Law: Throughout history, martial law has been misused to consolidate power, suppress dissent, and restrict civil freedoms. Citizens should be aware of their rights and prepared to respond to unlawful declarations of martial law. 2. Historical Examples of Martial Law - United States (1863): President Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the Civil War. - Poland (1981): Martial law used to suppress political opposition, leading to mass protests. - Philippines (1972): Marcos declared martial law, leading to human rights abuses. - Myanmar (2021): Military coup imposed martial law, sparking international condemnation. - South Korea (2024): President Yoon declared martial law in response to escalating tensions. [Read More](https://www.csis.org/analysis/yoon-declares-martial-law-south- korea

3. Understanding False Flag Events A false flag event is an act committed to appear as though it was carried out by another party, often used to justify extreme government measures. Historical Examples: - Reichstag Fire (1933): Used by Nazi Germany to consolidate power. - Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964): Led to increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam. 4. Citizen Response to Illegally Declared Martial Law Legal Actions: - Consult constitutional lawyers and civil rights groups. - File lawsuits to challenge unlawful orders. - Document human rights violations with time-stamped evidence. Community Organization: - Build local support networks for food, shelter, and information. - Establish safe meeting points and alternative evacuation routes. - Organize peaceful protests and advocacy campaigns.

5. Why Decentralized Networks Matter In times of crisis, especially under martial law or internet blackouts, centralized communication channels may be censored, monitored, or shut down. Decentralized networks allow for peer-to-peer communication, protecting privacy and ensuring information flow even when traditional channels are compromised. **Setting Up Now is Crucial:** - Pre-install decentralized apps and tools. - Familiarize yourself with offline communication methods. - Establish local communication groups using decentralized platforms. Recommended Platforms: - **Briar**: An app that uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, even without internet access. [Briar Website](https://briarproject.org) - **Mesh Networks**: Establish local networks that bypass centralized control. - **Serval Mesh**: Designed for disaster scenarios, allowing phones to communicate without infrastructure. [Serval Project) (https://www.servalproject.org) - **goTenna Mesh**: A popular off-grid communication tool using small devices that pair with smartphones. [goTenna Website](https://www.gotenna.com) - **TOR & VPNs**: Mask identity and evade government firewalls. - **The Onion Router (TOR)**: A highly secure browser that anonymizes internet activity. [TOR Project] (https://www.torproject.org) - **ProtonVPN**: A widely trusted VPN service with a strong commitment to privacy. [ProtonVPN](https://protonvpn.com) - **Mastodon**: A decentralized social media platform that allows users to communicate without centralized servers. [Mastodon Website](https://mastodon.social) - **Session**: A decentralized messaging app with end-to-end encryption. [Session Website](https://getsession.org)

6. Emergency Actions Checklist - Stockpile essential supplies (food, water, medicine). - Back up important documents and store in a secure location. - Establish encrypted communication channels with family and community. - Know your legal rights and how to contact civil liberties organizations. 7. Resources and Contacts Key Organizations: - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): www.aclu.org - Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): www.eff.org - National Lawyers Guild: www.nlg.org - Amnesty International: www.amnesty.org Hotlines and Legal Assistance: - Civil Rights Emergency Hotline: 1-800-555-1234 - Legal Aid Society: www.legalaid.org - Freedom of the Press Hotline: 1-888-123-4567 8. Websites and Further Reading - Freedom of the Press Foundation: www.freedom.press - International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group: www.iclmg.ca - Center for Constitutional Rights: www.ccrjustice.org - Privacy International: www.privacyinternational.org

🚨 Stay Prepared, Stay Empowered!

We’ve created a Citizen Guide to help you navigate extreme situations like Martial Law- not to alarm, but to inform. 🌐💡Again - not sounding an alarm, just informing.

Print it out or save it offline so you can access it anytime, even without the internet.

I’m sitting in Golden Nugget, a neighborhood diner that’s usually bustling no matter the hour. But at 8 AM on a Thursday, my son and I are the only ones here.

Is it the ICE? Economic uncertainty? The news is unsettling, but an empty diner at rush hour, on a busy Chicago intersection is terrifying.

I just finished @ellereeve.bsky.social ‘s new book ‘black pill’ and I have to say I’m mostly filled with empathy. As a neurodivergent kid from rural VA it would have been so easy for me to get sucked in. Thank god for skateboarding, punk rock, and Noam Chomsky.

#moodboard

Olivetti, print, ca. 1982 #moodboard

Day dates with @ashleykbeale.bsky.social

pro tip: If the scroll wheel is not working on your mouse in #Linux, ensure the user is in the wheel group. 🤓

Welcome to bluesky my beautiful wife @ashleykbeale.bsky.social

JVC, print, ca. 1993 #moodboard

This is going to be my only social network (besides LinkedIn I guess for now?) in a few days. Feels kind of crazy to abandon a platform my life has been tied to for almost 20 years in some form or another. But 2025 is the year I start to walk the walk.

Another day, another school shooting in America.

Use this toolkit to spread our message in the wake of this tragedy: #EndGunViolenceNow social.demcast.com/s/PrJdceqV

Also this.

We need to prioritize mental health, especially for young men. It’s easy to mock ‘incels on 4chan,’ but what if we took the time to teach vulnerability, empathy, and compassion?

What if we addressed the loneliness and isolation fueling these heinous acts—right at the source?

I was in 8th grade when Columbine happened. Suddenly, kids like me—the 'freaky' ones—were put on watch. Every morning, our resource officer met me at the door, patted me down, and searched my backpack.

We were treated like the threat, not the ones who might need help.

My 3-year-old is napping safely just 25 feet away, and I’m quietly sobbing, thinking about the child who got ready for school this morning only to be gunned down by a classmate 140 miles from us.

How does this keep happening? Yes, guns—but what else is broken in us?

Spending at least part of your 20's as a dirtbag is highly suggested!

in 2007 I was 21, living in Roanoke VA (small city) - I lived in a $350 apartment, had a fish tank beside my bed for gravity bong hits upon rising, delivered pizza 20-30 hours a week, and lived like a king.

If he had just been vulnerable enough to marry Dr. Faye Miller (who was obviously his soulmate) in season 4 - it never would have happened!

Apple Brand Guidelines, ca. 1993 #moodboard

Everclear’s ‘father of mine’ is blasting in the waiting room. Hits different as a father than it did as a son.

Im about to let go of the last remaining remnant of growing up poor in Appalachia.

(Having my last shitty tooth yanked out - city teeth coming in 2025)

Congratulations everyone willing to sacrifice American excellence, pride and freedom (just to start) for better egg prices that you were never going to get in the first place.

I’ll remember your ignorance and apathy with every family ripped apart.

Dear Bluesky,

Thanks for being so welcoming to so many wonderful new arrivals……and for NOT being welcoming to the bigoted pricks.

Love,

God