[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$faumWvRLWURUBuxcwqhs-JNNg6hos3senPR5HjytAgnw":3,"$frI6nm6BO_GpxrGZG1aAvaV5nY1vrLXnBi1MNEphWJFs":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},105335,"Mark Julian Felder","M",1,null,"mark-julian-felder",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":28},[14],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":27},817420,"We've gotten so used to democracy that we think we have the right to vote who we want God to be.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},3755318,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},78410,"lyrics-in-a-song","**The Backstory**\nMark Julian Felder, an American poet and essayist, likely penned this quote in the 1960s or 1970s, a time of great social and cultural upheaval in the United States. Felder's work often explored the intersection of spirituality, politics, and personal identity, reflecting the era's countercultural movements. As a historian, I note that this quote may have been written in response to the rise of conservative Christianity in America, which was gaining momentum during this period.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a profound critique of democratic complacency, suggesting that the assumption of personal freedom and agency can sometimes masquerade as a form of spiritual or theological entitlement. By saying \"we think we have the right to vote who we want God to be,\" Felder highlights the tension between individual autonomy and the complexities of faith, implying that our choices and actions may have unintended consequences that ripple beyond the realm of politics.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn applying this mindset today, professionals and creatives can benefit from recognizing the subtle ways in which their personal values and biases may influence their decisions, particularly when navigating complex issues that involve multiple stakeholders or competing interests. By acknowledging the potential for our choices to have far-reaching consequences, we can cultivate a more nuanced and thoughtful approach to decision-making, one that balances individual agency with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our actions.",{"currentPage":8,"totalPages":8,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":29},10]