“You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass the devil.” — Rev. Clarence Jordan
We are living through an era when the loudest voices often feel like the majority. Their cruelty is amplified on social media. Their policies dominate the headlines. Their symbols—red hats, raised fists, gold-plated idols—fill our screens. But loudness is not the same as strength. Volume is not the same as truth.
The newly released American Values Survey by PRRI1 reminds us of something essential: most Americans do not support this administration. Most Americans reject the extremism of its policies. Most Americans do not believe in building walls to keep out immigrants or banning books to silence dissent. Most Americans are weary of the chaos, cruelty, and deception.2
Here are some highlights:3
Majorities of Americans say the economy (65%) and the ways the federal government is functioning (65%) or dealing with undocumented immigrants (57%) are headed in the wrong direction.
A majority of Americans agree “President Trump is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy” (56%), up from 52% in March 2025, compared with 41% who agree “President Trump is a strong leader who should be given the power he needs to restore America’s greatness.”
Most Americans agree with the statement “What President Trump is doing to the federal government is an assault on constitutional checks and balances and the rule of law” (54%), compared with 43% who agree with the statement “What President Trump is doing to the federal government is a long-overdue correction of disastrous policies pushed by elites at the expense of ordinary Americans.”
About two-thirds of Americans (65%) disagree with the idea that “Immigrants are invading our country and replacing our cultural and ethnic background.” Republicans (62%) are more likely than independents (26%) and Democrats (10%) to agree.
The data makes something crystal clear: this administration’s support base is shrinking. Its deepest loyalty lies with a single subset: white evangelical Christians, whose alignment with authoritarianism now reveals more about their cultural fear than their faith. Across nearly every demographic, Americans are saying: This is not who we are. This is not what we want.
This is not to say we can rest. Far from it. But it does mean we can stop believing the lie that “everyone thinks this way.” They don’t. The cruelty is not normal. The theocracy is not inevitable. The majority of this nation still values compassion, democracy, pluralism, and truth.
So take heart.
Let the numbers remind you: you are not alone in longing for something better. The people of this country, in their vast complexity and imperfection, are not beyond hope. We are not defeated. The system may be bent toward power and profit, but the people are still capable of seeing clearly, still capable of choosing differently.
Even now, we are.
Let’s keep building a nation, not of kings and corporations, but of neighbors, protectors, artists, farmers, immigrants, nurses, teachers, and repairers of the breach.
Let’s stop being afraid of a noise machine pretending to be a movement. Let’s remember that truth doesn’t need a megaphone. It just needs to be spoken, lived, and repeated, until the world begins to hear it again.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What values do I see reflected in the people around me, even when politics feels polarized?
How can I anchor myself in moral clarity without becoming combative?
What ordinary acts of integrity am I being called to today?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Remembering Who We Are
God of quiet strength, You speak not in the noise of spectacle, but in the steady voice of truth. Remind us that we are not as divided as we seem. Strengthen those who act with kindness, who tell the truth when it costs them, who show up when it matters. Let us not be deceived by the noise of empire. Let us remember who we are. And let us be faithful—not to the powerful, but to what is good. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Rooted in Stillness, Ready for Courage
In a world where noise dominates, choosing to act from a place of stillness is a radical move. Today’s practice invites you to root yourself before responding—to make your life an offering of integrity, even in small ways.
Step One: Breathe and Anchor
Find a quiet moment. Sit or stand with both feet on the ground. Take three deep breaths. With each exhale, imagine releasing the tension of urgency and fear.
Say to yourself: “I am rooted. I am not alone. I will act from love.”
Step Two: Listen for Alignment
As situations arise today—emails, news alerts, difficult conversations—pause before reacting.
Ask: “Is what I’m about to say or do aligned with my deepest values?”
If yes, proceed with courage. If not, take another breath. Listen inward. Wait for clarity. Recenter.
Step Three: Choose a Small Act of Integrity
Let one small action today reflect your moral clarity. It might be a compassionate word, a boundary lovingly held, a call made, a sign held, a donation given. Let it be intentional. Let it be grounded. Let it be enough.
Step Four: Reflect
Before the day ends, take five minutes to journal or simply reflect:
When today did I act from my center rather than my reactions?
When was I tempted to match chaos with chaos?
What will I carry forward into tomorrow?
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
October 23, 30, November 13, 20 2025, 7pm ET - In Search of a New Story: Reimagining What Comes Next, A 4-Part Online Series with Dr. Matthew Fox, Cameron Trimble, Ilia Delio, Diana Butler Bass, Caroline Myss and Luther Smith. We are living through the unraveling of many old stories—about who we are, why we’re here, and how we are meant to live together on this Earth. As these inherited narratives collapse under the weight of climate crisis, social fragmentation, and spiritual disconnection, the question becomes clear: What story will guide us now? REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
October 30 - December 4, 2025 - Online Course “Partnering with Life: Our Missing Ally” with Margaret Wheatley. Meg is launching a new course (and I will be tagging along). Partnering with life means much more than getting into nature to soothe our troubled selves. Life is waiting for us to join her as we struggle to maintain sanity through this dark and destructive time. Learn more and register here.
July 19-24, 2026 - Join me and amazing co-facilitator, Victoria, on retreat in the back-country of beautiful Wyoming. The Art of Wilding is a 5-Day Expedition for Women Leaders. We will spend the week reconnecting to nature, exploring our inner landscapes for change, and engage the wisdom of spiritual teachings. Click here to learn more.
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
If you are a leader or member of a congregation looking for consulting support in visioning, planning, hiring or staffing, please consider Convergence.
https://prri.org/american-values-survey/
Watch this interview with Robert Jones of PRRI.
https://prri.org/research/trumps-unprecedented-actions-deepen-asymmetric-divides/
May we stay clear, kind
-enough to reach out to kin.
More caring than scared.
Meanwhile Trump and his gang continue to destroy everything in their path. Stats are great but, without action, they just numbers sitting there doing nothing.
Christ saw the money makers and destroyed their tables and drove them out….