Understanding the Notion of Time - Essay Example

Concepts of Time The united s of American society has grown and developed into a modernized and organized entity. The United States of America has grown in terms of politics, culture, socialization, governance and other aspects of the society. The concept of time has been of importance to Americans. Americans consider time in terms of its contribution to the origin and development of ideas, education and politics. The United States of America has achieved a lot of success through time, for instance, the declaration of independence, the ratification of the constitution and the inclusion of the bill of rights enjoyable by all American citizens. One significant issue that the Americans understand through the conception of time is the declaration of independence. In the book, The Sons of the fathers, Albanese looks at the declaration of independence in terms of time and the importance of that achievement at the time it happened and in future time (Albanese 5). Albanese states that the declaration of independence meant a lot to school-going children. She states that the declaration of independence was a form of enlightenment to schoolchildren in 1937. She also states that this event was significant for succeeding generations because they would consider the document as an evidence of a stronger foundation. As such, Albanese looks at the declaration of independence in terms of its meaning to different people in different generations (Albanese 18). In 1937, the declaration of independence meant that Americans could control their materialism. They looked at independence in terms of ability and capacity to control their belonging. However, the current America does not look at the declaration of independence as a means to control their materialism. They look at it in terms of awareness and freedom. The declaration of independence means a way of acquiring rights and controlling politics and governance. Albanese looks at declaration of independence in times of people like Thomas Jefferson, Margaret Willard among other people (Albanese 219). During the declaration of independence, Americans considered it as a sacred document and an entity that was handled by religious leaders as a formed of governance. Albanese states that because the document was sacred, then the time of its declaration was also sacred. There were religious practices that were done during the declaration, which included natural liturgy of religious remembrance. Another important event looked at in terms of time is the ratification of the constitution in 1787. The constitution marked a different age in the United States of America. For example, before the constitution was ratified, American people did not have many rights and freedoms defined. The political class used to control many issues that affected citizens. Political leaders did not care about the wellbeing of citizens, as long as they acquired the things and privileges they wanted. However, after the ratification of the constitution, many rights and freedoms were defined formally in the constitution. They allowed American citizens to engage in certain things such as free will to religion, freedom of speech, right to life and freedom of movement among other things. Therefore, time in this sense, meant an aspect of different lifestyles and ways of life in America (More 19). American Revolution is also understood in terms of time. Political leaders who existed in the United States of America in the seventeenth century used history to compare forms of governance, political regimes and the success of different governance systems. They compared political systems and their governance through time and used that history, to develop their own political forms. A notable result of this involves the start of republicanism that occurred in the United States of America in 1775. Republican values in the United States and the importance of a materialistic way of life influenced the American Revolution. All Americans adapted their ways of life including, culture, religion and governance to fit the republican identity. At this time, America has a centralized national economic system. The leaders, such as Alexander Hamilton who believed in the federalist perspective supported this system claiming that it was essential in the protection of liberty (More). However, leaders like Thomas Jefferson criticized and refuted the system claiming that it promoted corruption, unfairness and a monarchic society. Therefore, the conception of time in this era looks at it in terms of oppression of the people, misuse of the national economy and corruption. Most people accepted republicanism because it promised them liberty and restricted political power. This led to the formation of Republican Party that carried the values of republicanism. In the nineteenth century, American people started fighting for their liberty through the republican values. Republicanism helped them to fight for their rights, independence and equality, in the society (More 54). Samuel Hopkins in his book, A Treatise of the Millennium states that the concept of millennialism means a form of fanatic enthusiasm that is related to American history especially to marginalized religious groups. Religious people in the United States understood millennialism in terms of history of the coming of Jesus. Some religious leaders considered it as an authority given by revelation that Jesus Christ would develop a certain kingdom that would last one thousand years before the end of the world. Other religious people interpreted it to mean a glorious and a final era for man to enjoy while living on earth (Hopkins 42). We understand America as a Christian nation despite the fact that it allows for diversity of religious institutions and belief. Therefore, religious conception about millennium is relevant to the American society. This notion influenced forms of writing especially religious writings because they considered the millennium as a significant era in human history characterized by a form of religious identification. Hopkins states that in the millennium, a spiritual resurrection would occur where heaven and earth would come together (Hopkins 42). All people in the world would change into spiritual nourished beings. The conception of time was futuristic in the sense that Hopkins captures the millennium as a time when most people would be Christians belonging to the church. Holiness would prevail. This would obviously affect political leadership and governance in the sense that political leaders would rule nations in a Christian and holy perspective (Hopkins 44). The millennium ideology brings the idea of a future state that defines or guides the present. The fact that the millennium age presents a different picture that shows that the present state is different. This means that the present state is not religiously inclined, and people are not as religious as they would be in the millennium age (Hopkins 45). This notion guides the present state because it influences it to get prepared for a shift in political governance, economic control and religious influence on societal issues. It makes people embrace a mindset ready for a religious and political revolution (Hopkins 45). The American vision reflects the millennial ideology. For instance, the United States of America is a Christian country despite the fact that it has a population that has mixed religious diversity. The constitution of the United States of America clearly shows that the United States of America is a country governed by Christianity. In fact, there are certain phrases in the constitution that clearly outline this, for instance, “God bless America.” (Hopkins 45). In revelations of Saint John the divine, the conception of time is also capture. Chapter 1 states that certain things will happen. It states that a person who reads this and keeps the record of the word of God is blessed (The book of revelation 1273). It captures things that will happen during the end time and the importance of the belief in God and his word. This is the exact information that millennialism tells people. Millennialism captures the revelation by outlining things that will happen almost at the end of the world with the coming of Christ and the importance of Christianity and holiness. Revelations warns people to be watchful and strengthen their faith for there is nothing perfect in the eyes of God. It tells people to repent their sins and be holy just like the millennium does. Therefore, the constitution of America captures this fact (The book of revelation 1289). In conclusion, the agents of history are people who live in different generations passing information through writing. The conception of time is essential in that it captures the new American Republic through history and a look into the future. Therefore, the activities that happen currently in the United States of America are not meant to satisfy the needs of the present society only, but also to prepare a better life for future generations. The origins, developments and plans of the United States of America have been captured through the conception of time and history. Works cited Albanese, Catherine L. Sons of the fathers: the civil religion of the American Revolution. Michigan: University of Michigan, 1976. Hopkins, Samuel. A Treatise on the MillenniumNew York: Boston, 1793. More, Thomas. Thomas More's Utopia. New York: Arc Manor LLC, , 2007. The book of Revelations. n.d. Read More