As many of you know, I do not consider myself a neo-conservative (i.e., using big government and big money to promote “conservative” values – that’s my definition of it, at least, but I think it is fairly accurate). Whatever happened to small government? To personal responsibility? What happened to the idea that the government provided society’s physical infrastructure and military, while the church and individual families were the ones that provided for physical needs, morality, culture, and even education? Aren’t these the cornerstones of a self-governing people? These points are lost on politicians today, and even the “conservative” media. It is not the government’s job to promote morality – not in this country or any other.
Barack Obama has recently disputed (arguably false) allegations that he is, in fact, a Muslim. Mr. Obama’s own words, however, show that his influences are actually an interesting potpourri of religious philosophies. Even if his gradual “conversion” to Christianity 16 years ago is genuine, he prides himself in his diverse religious exposure that his mother provided, and the fact that “[he] was made to understand that such religious samplings required no sustained commitment on my part.” Obama, and politicians in general, are masters at being “everything to everybody”, just for the sake of winning votes.
I am afraid that America, in depending on the government and (even more so) the entertainment and news media (are the two really that different?) to define who we are, we have lost our cultural identity. Further said, just because it might feel good to think that every religion and every philosophy is correct and are just alternate roads to truth, the fact of the matter is this is not true. Even from a purely secular standpoint, it is fairly obvious that man is capable of both great good and great evil, and it is foolish to think that every imagination of man is just another path to God.
Sadly, the doctrine of political correctness is destroying the right to free speech. Ironically, this is being done in the name of free speech, and it is being done by both Republicans and Democrats. Politicians primarily, and individual citizens secondarily, are afraid to stand for what they believe in. Politicians are afraid they’ll lose votes. Citizens are afraid they’ll lose respect. Eventually, both groups will lose their rights for stating what they truly believe.
If there is a God, why are we afraid of declaring our faith in Him? Why do we feel the need to pander to every philosophy? Perhaps we, as a nation, have lost that faith? Perhaps we have misplaced it? Liberals put their faith in institutions to bring about justice. Republicans put their faith in men to enforce their view of morality.
True patriots put their faith in the God that granted us our liberty, and are not ashamed of it.
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.
– John Adams
[…] Patriots January 17th, 2008 ken wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptBarack Obama has recently disputed […]
http://www.fred08.com/Principles/PrinciplesSummary.aspx?View=OnTheIssues
Well, I suppose it is my blog, so I should respond to your post. 🙂
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/