The Five Thousand Year Leap, principles 4-6

(For part 1, click here.)


Principle 4: The Role of Religion in a Free Government

Apparently the Bible is correct when it says that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. And if it's foolishness to God, then it is foolishness in reality. During the Founding of our beautiful nation, it was understood even by the non-religious that religion held a very important place in society. Today, our culture has denied God and adopted and attitude of no accountability and "following your heart" even to the destruction of our lives and whoever else we may affect without regard or responsibility to those who may be harmed in the process of seeking after our own pleasures and desires. We have become animals, yet we fool ourselves by our university degrees that we are "intellectuals" and much wiser than those who have gone before us. Character, integrity, and truth are lacking and we have allowed ourselves to be indoctrinated into a self-seeking, believe-what-we-are-told-by-our-government-and-professors non-reality spiraling toward bondage.

DeTocqueville's fascination with America is inspiring. How strange to think a French man would adore our nation so much. In today's climate, it is impossible to imagine, but of course, we had the invaluable assistance of the French during the American Revolution; and even as late as the 1880's, it was not forgotten as we gaze today upon one of the greatest symbols of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France sculpted by Frederic Bartholdi.

Remaining free is impossible without religion because where freedom allows a person to do whatever he or she pleases, religion restrains them from doing what would not please God.

I really appreciate the ability for various religions to co-exist respectfully, "equally and harmoniously." The only hindrance to this is when religion is purposed to that which is "rash or unjust." (Uh, one comes to mind. Radical Islam, anyone?) Because true religion is to respect people as men and women created in the image of God, no matter what they believe. But, let's make no mistake that John Locke, as well as the vast majority, got their grandest ideas from the Bible, which our government philosophy is based upon.

I also love the influence that the religious community has on politics. And just goes to show that there is no "separation of church and state" except when the government (Supreme Court) oversteps its bounds by trying to regulate the church. And let's just settle once and for all (Good luck with that) the fact that the argument for the separation of church and state is absolutely futile when considered in the context in which it was originally addressed. (Please check this blog post to read up on the true intent: Separation of Church and State-original intent.) "The First Amendment was designed to eliminate forever the interference of the federal government in any religious matter within the various states." "The Supreme Court has undertaken the metaphor ("wall of separation") as an excuse for meddling in the religious issues arising within the various sates." It has been presumptuous and it has been wrong.

Principle 5: The Reality of a Creator

An atheist is irrational and out of touch with the most fundamental and important reality. Hey! I didn't say it, John Locke did. Did you know that there is a holiday for atheists? April Fool's Day. "A fool says in his heart there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)

The Founders contended that it is impossible to have revealed law (moral code clearly distinguishing right from wrong) or natural law (the orderly arrangement of the universe) without recognizing the Creator. All these ideas had to come from somewhere. "Certainly a non-cogitative being like a rock could never produce a cogitative being like a man." I love the recognition that the Creator must have a fine sense of right and wrong, indignation, justice, humor, beauty because we possess these qualities. And we are His creation.

Also addressed is the idea that is circulating that the Founders were deists. This is a total lie and all you have to do is read the Founder's writings to see the truth that they were God-fearing and God-serving men convinced that God's hand was upon the work they were doing in the birth of this nation.

Principle 6: All Men Are Created Equal

This chapter is fantastic and I feel the best way to discuss it is to just quote parts of it.

"Every being has a right to his own...But to teach that all me are born with equal power and faculties, to equal influence in society, to equal property and advantages through life is a gross fraud." Can't we see this shift in today's entitlement mentality?

Protecting the rights of people equally:

• At the bar of justice, to secure their rights.
• At the ballot box, to vote for the candidate of their choice.
• At the public school, to obtain their education.
• At the employment office, to compete for a job.
• At the real estate agency, to purchase or rent a home.
• At the pulpit, to enjoy freedom of religion.
• At the podium, to enjoy freedom of speech.
• At the microphone or before a TV camera, to present views on issues of the day.
• At the meeting hall, to peaceably assemble.
• At the print shop, to enjoy freedom of the press.
• At the store, to buy the essentials or desirable things of life.
• At the bank, to save and prosper.
• At the tax collector's office, to pay no more than their fair share.
• At the probate court, to pass on to their heirs the fruits of life's labors.

On the issue of minorities:

"We are a nation of minorities. It is a fact of life that no ethnic group is going to be entirely comfortable or treated completely as equals in an adopted society until they have crossed the culture gap."

I really appreciated the recognition of the Japanese and Chinese and how they (particularly because of the attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the prejudices of many) have really been challenged in the area of crossing the culture gap, yet they press on with their integrity and hard work to accomplish the task.

Blacks had terrible obstacles to overcome because of the slavery issue. Many have sought entitlements for them. "Government gratuities are as corrupting and debilitating to blacks as they are to the Indians or any other minorities."

"Eldridge Cleaver, an atheist trained in Marxist philosophy and Minister of Information for the Black Panthers, described their (Black Panthers) philosophy of violence as 'dedicated to destroy the whole economic and social structure of the United States so that the blacks could enjoy equal rights under an American Communist regime.' He eventually fled to Cuba and then to other Communist countries. He ultimately asked to be allowed to return to the United States, no longer and atheist or Communist. He stated, 'I would rather be in jail in America than free anywhere else.' He gained a new and yet profound appreciation for America. He described the despondency that came over him when he found what a betrayal of human dignity Communism turned out to be. He believed a persistent pursuit of the truth would bring them to the threshold of reality, where the Creator could be recognized and thereafter have a place in their lives. He was a prodigal American who found himself and returned home."

We all should "persistently pursue the truth" in religion, political views, everything. When we do, and we commit to that which is true, we can never be disappointed.

"Society should seek to provide equal opportunity but not expect equal results; provide equal freedom but not expect equal capacity; provide equal rights but not equal possessions; provide equal protection but not equal status; provide equal educational opportunities but not equal grades. Some insist that people do not have equal rights unless they have 'equal things.'"

You mean health care, free money, and houses aren't rights owed & granted to me by the government? I'm confused. Pelosi and Obama have been telling me differently. I thought they knew everything.

--stay tuned for the next installment.