One of the story lines that keeps recurring during this election season is the incessant handwringing among the progressive left, worried about the fall of what they call “our democracy.” Pointing fingers, they actually make the claim that conservative evangelicals are the real threat to the survival to the American experiment. Well, let’s think about that for a minute and process what it means for democracy to be in danger.

Joe Rigney, “Avoiding ‘the progressive gaze’ in the voting booth,” August 21, 2024.

James R. Wood, “Against political Donatism,” August 9, 2024.

Miles Smith, “Whose democracy?” July 24, 2024.

Summer is over and school is back in session, but not for Enoch Burke. Burke is a Christian who also happens to be a teacher in Westmeath, Ireland. He was fired from his job recently because he refused to endorse or affirm transgenderism. Because he refused to address students by their trans names or employ third person pronouns, he was suspended, and then after an investigation he was fired. Because he continued to show up for work after he was fired, he was eventually given a 400-day prison sentence for contempt of court. He had not been accused at any point of abusing students in any way. He had not been accused of offering inadequate instruction as a teacher. Nevertheless, Burke was told that his presence was “stressful” for students and staff and he posed a health and safety risk to the population of the school. And by the way, he was also fined €200,000. Can we please talk about free speech?

Timon Cline, “School’s out for ‘blasphemers,’” September 4, 2024.

Andrew T. Walker, “Why free speech should be a Christian priority,” September 4, 2024.

Erin Hawley, “Censoring the truth,” August 29, 2024.

A few weeks ago on X, formerly Twitter, there was an account managed for the Sesame Street character Elmo. A post was made on that account that simply said this, “Elmo is just checking in. How’s everybody doing?” That message received over 200 million views, prompting thousands of people to unburden themselves.

They told Elmo about their broken relationships, about their career and financial struggles, about other personal problems that have created sadness in their lives. There’s a lot of unhappiness in America. Even President Joe Biden chimed in telling us all to be there for one another, to help our neighbors, and, most importantly, ask for help when we need it. In other words, if you’re sad, talk to someone besides Elmo.

Here’s the problem, if you’re sad, you need to be careful who you talk to because you’re not going to get the same advice from everybody.

Adam M. Carrington, “The deadly message of the ‘death capsule,’” August 26, 2024.

Carl R. Trueman, “Assisted suicide and the happiness imperative,” March 18, 2024.