Living Metaphor - 12/08/2006 (Seat Of The Pants)

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -

LIVING METAPHOR?

By

David A. Archer

02/15/1968

12/08/2006

Further in studies pertaining to the popular work known as the Bible, I find most recently much which inspires the further exploration of the idea concerning the United States as being a living metaphor.

Again I stress that I in no way imply it to be some religious representation in a rather large sense, but more as result in and of effect pertaining to the relation humans have with those imposed limitations and social structures which have been introduced over the centuries.

It just so happens that I am currently - and rather topically - studying Popular Christianity through the use of what is said to be the most accessible representation of the work known as the Bible. Such is purposeful as per my intentions simply in the interest of examining what is currently perceived - in the wider sense.

As I have stated, it is in my belief that other examples of those structures exist within this metaphor as well - especially those examples which the idea of Representative Democracy was based on at the time - that time being between the late 1600's and 1700's - as represented in various works that anyone can research for themselves. ~

While involved with my studies recently, I happened upon a realization in similarity pertaining to social developments within what was known as the tribes of Israel (in the old testament) and what I can discern about the early development and continued direction of the United States.

In chapter 34 of the book of Numbers, a person can begin to see these similarities in social development given the social changes the Israelites began concerning their social structure. As well, in 27:12 can be seen what amounts to political changes on their horizon that would essentially result in a split of power between what could be seen as church and state. Then as noted, the social changes in leaving the idea of the nomadic life, combined with the obvious divergence (split) of the tribes between East and West of the Jordan River, now present another political shift pertaining to their social structure. Particularly in regard to the reasons that the split transpired around interests very much associated with agricultural/cultivation productivity. That itself, would stand to provide a great platform for a power shift within any large community.

Further there are notable developments at this point which even suggest the beginnings of a judicial system.

In considering these social developments within the Tribes of Israel within these chapters, it very much then supports the idea of the United States as a metaphor. But more so than even just in the aspect of Christ - and even further than the relation between the 13 original colonies and that number of tribes before the divergence at the Jordan river. ~

It definitely illustrates a larger process - a connectivity even, if only through the process of existence. ~

The development at the Jordan river even, then could be seen within this metaphor as corresponding to perhaps the American Revolution as example - then further, as per the potential political areas of development within that divergence at the Jordan River could be seen as similar to those political areas which were set forward in creating the United States Government - even and most notably the three divisions of political power. ~

The more that I consider the idea of representative Democracy - United States in this example - being a metaphor, the more that I can see from such a perspective pertaining to the aspects perceived in regard to something beyond a larger consistency - it very much demonstrates that consistency and further the resonation of those firmed structures previously introduced into our reality. ~

The seat of the pants element within the early United States Government, very much stands as an example in regard to the effect of those resonations. ~

Even more so in regard to that larger process in action as it occurred. ~

It is known that much planning and support came from some brilliant minds of the time - many having been firmly conditioned within that work called the Bible before applying themselves into and toward their own directions respectively. ~

Some rather uncanny though notable aspects can be seen as well in regard to the geographic alignment of the Continental United States - most notably at this point in the emulation, being the Mississippi river - then of course, the location of the original 13 colonies being East if that division - then developing Westward, though - again demonstrating the offset of that larger process - not being a direct relation so to speak - but then presenting the layered effect I have addressed. Meaning, with this example - that while East of the Mississippi - that resonation played out of itself, in regard perhaps to the point within itself that it had progressed to from the initial movements (combined with other facets having been purposefully put into motion), then again - as expansion Westward took place, there in demonstrating those layers in motion and offset within that larger process now having been conditioned through the filtration of established structures and manifesting as per - through our human perception and existence.

The popular work called the Bible having been a predominant influence in regard to said conditioning. ~

At this point I do not believe that such traits were purposeful to a great degree - this being substantiated by the presence and focal efforts on new and ground breaking ideas being set into motion for the first time in an applied sense. ~

Further, though the presence of the Mississippi river may have been coincidental - in relation to that larger motion it seems that it had its effect in then acting to encourage further metaphoric manifestation through an association sort of interaction.

With its presence, it may have provided a stimulation of sorts in support of that motion within that larger process which had already been conditioned through the popular structure known as the Bible. ~

For instance; If it were that there had been no river there (especially running North/South), part of that emulation might not have folded again, upon itself with that point of reference which the Mississippi prospectively presented. ~

For example from a sociological perspective in regard to the consistency I perceive - this would speculatively mean that within that series of motion beginning at the American Revolution for instance as representative of a manifestation of that divergence, that such conditioned structure continued to play out - even then presenting another emulation in divergence itself within those initial 13 colonies - which could be likened to the initial presence of several political parties.

Then, upon the influence of that geographic location of the Mississippi river - then again found conjunction of sorts which resulted in a layered effect then taking place within the offset of that larger motion.

If I were to research it more in depth, I believe I would find great coinciding/familiar motion of/resembling those having taken place within that popular work - beyond (Westward) of the Mississippi. These layers then playing out within the interaction of themselves, as well. ~

Such being represented (though speculatively) in the onset of the American civil War. ~

Most notably within that example, is representation (though in the extreme) of that offset effect within that larger motion - being a shift in that divergence from an East/West regard, to a North/South. ~

Another attribute and substantiation to the idea of layered effect, is that West of the Mississippi there was far less effect from the more recent example of that divergence (North/South) being the Civil War, than there was East of the Mississippi. Demonstrating in comparison, the subtle distance between those layers and effect. ~

From my perspective, there is little possibilities of such occurrences being orchestrated as such - again, especially early on in that seat of the pants - though intentional and thought out - series of developments. ~