My Friend Emerson and the Silent War: A Critical Examination of 'Citizens' and the Subtle Influence of the CCP

 In a world increasingly marked by polarization and power struggles, it is incumbent upon us to scrutinize the subtle changes within our societies, our institutions, and even our religious communities. An unnoticed yet potent force, the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) influence, raises concerns not only about its alleged reach within American society but also about its possible infiltration into spiritual communities such as the Unitarian Movement, traditionally known for open dialogue and diverse perspectives.

 As Ralph Waldo Emerson, once said, "People wish to be settled; only as far as they are unsettled is there any hope for them." Our unease and questioning can lead us to discover, understand, and confront such insidious influences.

 TIME magazine, in an enlightening exposé, detailed how China's official academic publisher, the People's Education Press, has allegedly manipulated the content of textbooks to shape the narrative of the Chinese populace, including glorifying certain foreign characters while seemingly belittling Chinese ones. This bias presents itself starkly when it comes to sensitive historical topics. The publisher underlines its allegiance to the "tenets of the CPC" and the construction of a "harmonious socialist society". Meanwhile, Western values and materials are being discouraged on campuses, with professors reportedly feeling pressured to remove foreign content from their syllabus.

 These developments go hand-in-hand with China's subtle yet persistent anti-Western campaign. As increasing numbers of Chinese students head overseas for study, the rhetoric back home continues unabated, raising questions about the ideological manipulation at play.

 As Unitarians, we champion the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Emerson taught us that, "The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion." Thus, it's ironic and concerning to observe a culture of silence, a war against dissent, and potential virtue signalling within our Unitarian communities. This veers dangerously towards ideological rigidity, stifling open dialogue and overshadowing the diverse perspectives that should be our lifeblood. The influence of the CCP, particularly its curtailing of free expression, should give us pause and urge us to preserve our core values.

 Emerson reminds us that "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." We, as Unitarian ministers and community members, have the power to facilitate open conversations that enable us to question, explore, and grow. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that we maintain a balance between acknowledging diverse perspectives and not letting any one ideology dominate, irrespective of whether it's from the far left, right, or anywhere else on the political spectrum.

 The CCP's alleged influence, characterized by ideological conformity and suppression of dissent, presents a real challenge to our democratic societies and spiritual communities. As we grapple with these concerns, let us remember another of Emerson's pearls of wisdom: "Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons." We need not seek courage elsewhere; it resides within us. By fostering respectful dialogue, ideological diversity, and mutual understanding, we can ensure that the Unitarian Movement remains an open-minded, inclusive, and individual-centric bastion in the face of any dominant ideology.

 Our Unitarian principles call us to stand against this silent war on democracy and dissent. We must rise to the challenge, embody the spirit of inquiry and non-conformity that Emerson espoused, and ensure that our future is marked by freedom, truth, and respect for the every individual.

Will this be silenced? Will I have emails to bring this reflection down? I'm I able to question? 

In our pursuit of truth and justice, it is crucial to remember the power and importance of the question. As Mike Rogers, a former member of Congress and a senior fellow at the Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, pointedly argued, "Ensuring prosperity and sovereignty in the next century demands that we recognize and confront the CCP’s propaganda, influence, and subversion wherever it is found..." The heart of this confrontation lies in our ability to question, to interrogate, to probe the realities of our present situation, and to think critically about the forces shaping our lives and our institutions.

 Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, "The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common." Questioning is a common yet miraculous tool at our disposal. Through it, we derive wisdom, through it, we uphold our democratic values, and through it, we preserve the essence of our Unitarian tradition.

 However, in a society where an individual is unable to question freely, where an inquiry is met with criticism, derision, or even retaliation, we lose the very essence of our democratic values. When we allow the suppression of curiosity, the silencing of critical voices, and the dismissal of contrary perspectives, we capitulate to the forces that seek to control thought and expression. As highlighted in the TIME magazine article, such control is at the very heart of China's anti-Western campaign, and similar patterns are perceptible elsewhere.

 Yet, we must not yield to this silent war against questioning. The strength of our democracy, the integrity of our spiritual communities, and the resilience of our individual freedoms are contingent upon our ability to ask and to question. We must remember the words of Emerson who declared, "God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose." Our choice is clear: to favour truth over repose. And the path to truth is paved with questions.

 In the face of these challenges, we must keep asking, keep questioning, and never cease in our search for truth. For it is in this persistent inquiry that we not only find our courage but also affirm our self-reliance and our shared commitment to the principles of democracy and freedom. If we allow ourselves to be silenced, to be bullied into conformity, to fear asking the questions that need to be asked, we risk becoming mere spectators in the theatre of our own lives.

 We have a duty to our communities, to our children, and to ourselves to stand firm in our commitment to question freely and without fear. Only through our dedication to this principle can we truly counter the silent war against dissent and democracy and ensure that the Unitarian tradition of free and open inquiry continues to thrive. Let us hold dear the words of Emerson, who reminded us, "Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true." 

Has this silent war seeped into the heart and minds of our spiritual leaders not just Unitarianism, but all spiritual and religious institutions? Enter, "Citizens"... 

The book "Citizens" by Jon Alexander, has been met with considerable acclaim, including McKinsey's top 5 recommended reads and enthusiastic endorsements from various industry leaders. However, amidst its grand narrative about transforming consumers into citizens and its promise of a sustainable future, I can't help but observe some unnerving undertones. Having had the chance to hear Jon Alexander speak, I came away with the uncomfortable feeling that there were elements of far-left ideology in his discourse, sentiments that seemed eerily aligned with those of the Communist Party of China (CCP).

 For all its claims of empowerment and transformation, the book's philosophy, as I understand it, risks blurring the distinction between individual autonomy and the collective hive mind. The proposed shift from consumer to citizen, while seemingly laudable, seems to suggest a relinquishing of individual agency to a greater collective. It's not too much of a stretch to see how this could potentially play into the hands of a power that seeks to suppress individuality for the 'greater good,' much like the CCP.

 A worrisome aspect is that this narrative is being presented as an alluring antidote to our current societal malaise. The talk of citizens, rather than consumers, is reminiscent of the socialist perspective that has seemingly permeated various spheres of society, including our Unitarian tradition, as I previously mentioned.

 The book's emphasis on collective responsibility, if left unchecked, could veer dangerously close to endorsing a form of soft totalitarianism, where individual dissent is stifified, critical questioning is suppressed, and any voice straying from the dominant narrative is silenced.

 To quote from the TIME magazine article: "Ensuring prosperity and sovereignty in the next century demands that we recognize and confront the CCP’s propaganda, influence, and subversion wherever it is found." One can't help but question whether the philosophy espoused in "Citizens" is another form of this subversion.

 However, it is essential to remember, in the words of Emerson, that "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." In the face of ideologies that might seek to stifle our individual agency, we must hold firm to our commitment to question freely and without fear. We need to maintain our sense of self amidst any collective narrative, no matter how appealing it might appear.

 In conclusion, while "Citizens" may seem an uplifting handbook for sustainable change, it is crucial to critically question its underlying ideology and potential implications on our individual freedom and democratic values. After all, the power of the question remains our strongest tool in the face of any narrative that might seek to shape our identities or suppress our freedoms.

China Campaigns Against 'Western Values' | Time