Today I am thinking about Joss Whedon’s Firefly.  It was a one season space cowboy TV show where Mal Reynold’s was a rebel that fought against “The Alliance.”  After the rebels lost the war, Reynold’s becomes a bitter mercenary. Great show. But it almost seemed as though the rebels were the bad guys. At least that is what critics of the show questioned.

Aside from some terrible things special operatives did to people, The alliance was a successful government where people were clothed and fed (if they chose to be).  The alliance ensured public healthcare, Freedom of religion, and A galactic-scale police force.

That is better than what Donald Trump and Christian nationalists want. But our current times prove Firefly’s protagonists to be in the right. Moral certainty is not democracy, and it is not freedom.

There are not easy answers and that is what the Alliance and many of us want. We want to be ruled in a way that we don’t have to make choices every day.

Because the opposite of not turning to a rulebook that tells us what is right and what we should do is not complete freedom.

The choices have to continue to be difficult. We can’t say people can do whatever they want. As a society, we have to make some choices for people. We have to say what is right and what is wrong. But it has to continue to be messy and ugly. 

Today many people want an alliance form of government to tell people what they can’t do. They don’t want people to:

Be gay

Be the gender they feel they are

Have premarital sex

Abort a baby even if they have been raped

Not be a Christian

Be childless

An evil government is more subtle than Darth Vader or Putin. Trump is not as bad as Hitler. That does not mean what he wants to do with our government is not dangerous.

Today I am thinking about Joss Whedon’s Firefly. It was a one-season space cowboy TV show where Mal Reynold’s was a rebel that fought against “The Alliance”. The show received criticism for portraying the rebels in a controversial manner.

The Alliance, despite certain negative actions by special operatives, was depicted as a successful government providing clothing, food, public healthcare, freedom of religion, and a galactic-scale police force.

This contrasts with current political figures and movements. However, contemporary issues suggest that Firefly’s protagonists might be interpreted as supporting individual autonomy over centralized control. Moral certainty is distinct from democracy and freedom.

There are no simple solutions, as both the Alliance and many individuals seek governance that reduces daily decision-making.

Complete freedom without guidelines is not feasible. Society must establish some norms regarding right and wrong, although this process can be complex and challenging.

Today, some people advocate for a government that imposes restrictions on certain behaviors or identities, including:

• Being gay
• Expressing their gender identity
• Having premarital sex
• Accessing abortion services, even in cases of rape
• Practicing religions other than Christianity
• Choosing a childless lifestyle

Governments can exercise power subtly. While current leaders may not reach the extremes of historical figures, their policies can still pose significant risks.

Too many people saying they are striving for freedom, but at the same time want the absolutism of a rule of law like the Bible. This is allowed and this is not allowed.

And at the same time, they want it tailored to their beliefs.

They are afraid. But they do not have to be. Because America works because everyone is free to be happy and who they are.  The trouble comes when we fail at this!.