On yesterday’s date in 1775, Benjamin Franklin published what has become known as The Imaginary Speech. “Franklin’s speech was intended to counter an unnamed officer’s comments to Parliament that the British need not fear the colonial rebels, because “Americans are unequal to the People of this Country [Britain] in Devotion to Women, and in Courage, and worse than all, they are religious.”1
To have your valor impugned as an individual is bad enough. To level those accusations against a fledgling nation is egregious. The anonymous attack served as an invitation to the British to attack a bunch of sitting ducks!
With Franklin flair, the printed speech begins with these words: “I am an American: In that Character I trust this House will shew some little Indulgence to the Feelings which are excited by what fell this Moment from an honourable and military Gentleman under the Gallery. According to him, Sir, the Americans are unequal to the People of this Country in Devotion to Women, and in Courage, and in what, in his Sight seems worse than all, they are religious.
“No one, Sir, feels the Odiousness of Comparisons more than myself. But I am necessitated to pursue, in some measure, the Path which the honourable Gentleman has marked out. Sir, let the rapid Increase and Population of America, compared with the Decrease of England and of Scotland, shew which of the two People are most effectually devoted to the Fair Sex. The Americans are content to leave with that honourable Gentleman and his Companions the Boast, while the Fact is evidently with them. They are sensible, that upon this Subject to talk much, and to do little, are inseparable.
“Sir, I am at a Loss to conceive upon what Facts the Gentleman grounds his Impeachment of American Courage. (The next paragraphs outline several battles fought by American and won.) There is hardly a Day or an Hour, in which the Honourable Gentleman does not meet with an American. Does he insult any one of them with Impunity? Has he, or will he put their Spirit to the Proof? Till he has done that, Silence, I am sure, will do more Honour to his own…
“I had almost forgot the Honourable Gentleman’s Charge of their being too religious. Sir, they were such Religionists, that vindicated this Country from the Tyranny of the Stuarts. Perhaps the Honourable Gentleman may have some compassionate Feelings for that unhappy Family: Does that sharpen his Resentment against the Americans; who inherit from those Ancestors, not only the same Religion, but the same Love of Liberty and Spirit to defend it?”2
If he could have given a speech, this is the speech he would have given!
Christianity often faces the same accusations. Allegedly, we are not devoted to women, choosing rather to repress them. We lack courage because we are to be meek. And, we are too religious, always going to church, our noses stuck in our Bibles, and constantly talking about the Lord.
First of all, it was Christ and Christianity that elevated women from the repression of mankind. The Bible honors women, their contributions to the work of the Lord, and their vital role in society. A Biblical church teaches this. Salvation puts us in equal standing before God according to Galatians 3:28. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Do women get treated poorly in some places and situations? Yes. But don’t blame that on Christianity.
Second, don’t confuse meekness with weakness. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” And 1 Timothy 6:12 tells us to “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Christianity is supposed to pursue peace. That should be our heart’s desire. But we are NOT passive and when there is a need to fight, we can and we will fight. And we are willing to lay our lives down in sacrifice if necessary.
Third, are we too religious? More often than not, the accusation is just the opposite. However, were the accusation true, you can never be too religious. While I cringe whenever I hear the word “religious” because of it being misunderstood, a right definition and interpretation of the word will lead the hearer to understand that being “too religious” is an awesome compliment. If only we could attain to it! Allow Mark 12:30 to drive you to a greater desire to be accused of being “too religious.” “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-7/benjamin-franklin-publishes-an-imaginary-speech
2https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-21-02-0262
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