Vox populi, Vox dei
the voice of the people is the voice of God
Note: for those who receive the quarterly congregational newsletter, this is virtually the same post.
Vox populi, Vox dei – the voice of the people is the voice of God. Is it true? Is the voice of the people really the voice of God?
I first came across this phrase in a Sister Fidelma mystery by Peter Tremaine. Sister Fidelma is a 7th century Irish Sister who is also the sister of the king of one of the five Irish territories of the time and a ‘dalaigh to the level of anruth’ (the second highest level of lawyer/judge).
In this story, a young man, accused of murder, was lynched before being found guilty and this phrase was used as justification for the lynching. The people cried out for his death and so that was God’s will also. Just a note that the people were Christian.
The phrase is first recorded by Alcuin of York (735 – 804) in a letter to Charlemagne. ‘And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness.’ Well, that would certainly apply to the people who lynched the young man (who, of course, was innocent- that’s just the way these stories go).
The phrase has been used in various other political/social situations:
- In 1327, Parliament met to depose King Edward II and Archbishop of Canterbury, Walter Reynolds wrote a tract/ preached a sermon entitled “Vox Populi Vox Dei.”
- Elon Musk decided to reinstate Donald Trump’s Twitter account by Twitter poll, and then announced the results with the Latin phrase “vox populi, vox Dei”
This phrase (as used by Musk) or it’s negative (as used by Alcuin) seem to speak to our understanding of the authority of scripture and how it should be interpreted, as well as the electing of officials and ongoing human rights changes, etc. There have certainly been times, particularly in the last 200 years or so, when the voice of the people is the voice of God – abolition of slavery, equal rights for women, environmental protection, affirming the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities…
Most importantly, you have to listen to the voices of the ‘right’ people to hear the voice of God. The socially acceptable? The virtuous? The leaders? I would love to hear your thoughts on who the ‘right’ people would/should be.
I think interpreting the voice of the people as the voice of God is a two edged sword (as are most truly important things) and must be used judiciously.
But that’s just what I think. What do you think?
Thank you for your comments. They give me a lot to think about.
I think the voice of the people is the voice of the people. It is common for people to use their own insights, their own wisdom to voice their own opinions. God runs through all; however, that Love is simple and all embracing and doesn't even need to speak. Until people understand that their ego is just a thing which is more than willing to lead them away from God, they will speak only their own understanding. God is not a "thing" but just Is. God is. Truth is and is evident everywhere, but clouds seem to hide its existence. The Holy Spirit moves to awaken people to the presence of Truth. But even it disappears when folks realize that it is not needed when they recognize God Is. Now, isn't all that as clear as mud?