What Are We Really Afraid Of?
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” — 1 John 4:18
Last week, the U.S. administration floated policies designed to incentivize higher birth rates. At first glance, this might seem like just another pronatalist policy—perhaps misguided, perhaps even well-meaning. But when we listen more closely to the rhetoric, it becomes clear: this isn’t about supporting all families. It’s about preserving a certain vision of America—one rooted in whiteness.
Behind policies like these is the persistent fear of 2050, the projected year when white Americans will no longer make up the majority.1 This demographic shift has long haunted white nationalist imagination. It’s behind the push for immigration crackdowns, the erasure of Black history in public education and museums, the banning of DEI programs, the violent rhetoric toward the LGBTQ+ community, and the obsession with overturning Roe v. Wade—not to protect life, but to protect power.
Let us be honest: fear of demographic change is not about numbers. It is about supremacy. It is the fear that, if the scales of justice ever begin to balance, the privileged might lose what they’ve hoarded. Reparation could feel like retribution. Inclusion might feel like erasure. But that fear is not based in fact—it’s rooted in an inability to imagine a shared future where power is distributed, not dominated.
This is not a new story. Empire has always tried to preserve itself through control—of bodies, borders, narratives, and reproduction. But our sacred traditions teach a different way. The God we follow is not afraid of diversity. God creates it. Honors it. Delights in it.
As Ilia Delio writes, “Love is the whole structure of the universe, and evolution is the process of love becoming more conscious.” Demographic change is not a threat—it’s an invitation. An evolution toward a more honest, complex, interwoven society.
The call is not to resist the future, but to meet it with courage and love. What we need is not more White children. What we need is more justice. More care. More systems that honor every child, every mother, every family, every culture, and every dream.
We do not fear the future. We prepare it with open hands.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Where have you noticed fear of change being used to justify harmful policies or rhetoric?
What does it look like to move from fear of demographic shifts toward celebration of diversity?
How can we speak honestly and compassionately with others who are afraid of losing power?
A Prayer for the Day
The Future Is Not the Enemy
Holy Love,
You are the One who scatters stars across the sky and sings every culture into being.
You are not afraid of difference. You are made of it.
Teach us to unlearn our fear.
Loosen the grip of those who cling to power.
Root out supremacy where it hides in our systems—and in our own hearts.
Make us midwives of a new world,
Where no one is afraid to be born,
And no one is afraid to belong.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Expanding Our Circle
Spend time today imagining the future—not as something to resist, but something to prepare.
Look at your social world: who is present in your closest circles? Whose stories do you know and honor?
Then take one concrete step to expand your circle of care. Read a memoir from a culture not your own. Donate to a mutual aid fund led by people of color. Sign up for a local interfaith gathering.
Not out of guilt. Not out of obligation. But out of trust—Love is making all things new, and we get to be a part of it.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
May 19-22, 2025 - Preaching and Worship FREE Online Summit: From war to genocide to a global climate crisis to a nation that perpetuates racism, misogyny, transphobia, and more from the highest office in the land, how do we prepare a sermon, a liturgy, a song, a prayer? Learn from some of our best preachers. REGISTER HERE.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
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.
https://www.pgpf.org/programs-and-projects/convening-experts/us-2050/research-summary/
See also: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/prosperity-2050/
Hallelujah, a Democrat finally stood up. Hopefully, the rest will start to stand and do their jobs….
👍🏼 You're saying the quiet part out loud, Rev. Trimble. MAGA is actually MAWA.