Topic: Ron Paul
Ron Paul, GOD and the Constitution Atheists, human secularists and others who deny God do not agree with Ron Paul or the Founding Fathers on the source of our rights.by Jake Morphonios
(Libertarian)
Friday, February 8, 2008
Ron Paul's umbrella is large enough to encompass people of many political persuasions and philosophical backgrounds. Supporters of opposing ideas find that they can share support for Paul in spite of differences. The mention of religion, in particular, is a polarizing topic. Naturally, I wish to say something on this matter.
Without a devotion to God Almighty this country will not long stand.
Atheists and human secularists do not agree with this principle, but I emphatically do - and so did our founding fathers. They understood the importance of piety and righteousness as it relates to Constitutional government and the preservation of a Republic.
One of those founders, Samuel Adams, wrote in 1771: "Revelation assures us that 'righteousness exalteth a nation."
George Washington, in his famous farewell address of 1796, said: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."
What made the United States different from many other nations was that our founders believed that without the hand of God to oversee their affairs, a strong nation could not be built. We are reminded of their commitment to God today by the phrases, "One nation, under God" and "God bless America".
Our nation acknowledges that God is the source of our rights - not government. Of this principle, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift of God?"
I'll close with the words of John Adams, the great revolutionary patriot and U.S. President. "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 10 thumbs so far
2008 Jake Morphonios, all rights reserved.
Published: Friday, February 8, 2008
Last modified: Friday, February 8, 2008
The views expressed in this
article are those of Jake Morphonios only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Morphonios is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Posted By: Scott from Oregon
Date: 2008-02-08 18:22:57
The funny thing here, is that Jefferson, a diest and in no way a theist of any stripe, is full of quotes as to why religion should stay out of politics. I noticed your omission of all these quotes, all fully googlable to those who desire truth.
Morality exists outside of religion, and leads religion by its nose. In the bible, for example, patricide, infanticide, genocide, blood sacrifice, murder, scapegoating, child molestation etc... are all acceptable moral behaviors. The amount of killing the Jedeo God is said to have done in the first testament, is, to be frank, dispicable beyond reproach.
Society has, thankfully, evolved past these atrocities and now religionist, by ignoring and cherry picking around these grotesque notions, have kept up with societal mores.
This suggests quite obviously that society developes morality not from religion BUT IN SPITE OF RELIGION.
To me, lying to children is the most debase and immoral and dispicable thing religion still does in this day and age, and I just wish people will leave children out of their fantasies.
There's a quote by Hamilton I love:
"Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint. "
God is very important to this country -- to me. My opinion. You make a point about morality, but I could say and make the same point about atheistic cultures, such as Communist China and Russia, the Nazi's, etc.
This suggests to me , quite obviously, that humans are monsters, and that the good we do is external to us.
Posted By: Scott from Oregon
Date: 2008-02-08 19:22:13
"You make a point about morality, but I could say and make the same point about atheistic cultures, such as Communist China and Russia, the Nazi's, etc..."
Actually, no you can't. Communist Russia and China were malignant and evil not because of or in the name of "athiesm" but "BECAUSE OF" a type of totalitarian Communism. Point of fact, it was the remnant religiousity of the people of Russia and a lack of basic rationality that was utitized and taken advantage of by Stalin. Remember, the Czar of Russian had been deified and was treated like a God in the similar vien as Japan's Hirohito.
None of these cultures were evil because of "athiesm" but because of a political ideology they wanted forced onto their people...
I find the very idea that one needs to believe in unreal things in order to be "moral" both laughable and sad. It suggests that those who believe in nonsense like the bible would not be moral otherwise. And THAT is scary.
(Also Hitler used Nazism, not Athiesm, as his excuse for his evilness. The complicity of the Catholic Church in Hitler's time is legendary, you should look it up if truth matters to you.)
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-02-09 10:39:44
As one who strongly believes in God without necessarily being associated with a particular religion, I must strongly disagree with your assertions.
There are many atheists (I've known some personally) who do support liberty, and some of them do support Ron Paul. This may be unfathomable to you, but just because someone doesn't believe in God does not also mean that they don't believe in individual rights. As an example of what I mean, the Libetarian Party has many members who are atheists (and many members who are devoutly religious, and many other members in between those two polar opposites), and many of them are also Paul supporters.
Nor is your assertion that God is the source of rights a proof against atheistic support of rights.
You've allowed your theism to get in the way of your common sense. This is precisely why Jefferson fought for the separation of church and state, because he knew as a deist that people like you would come along and try to force everyone into your own, limited religious box.
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-02-09 10:43:45
I got so worked up with my previous comment that I forgot to make my main point, which is this. Trying to argue that there is only one source for individual rights is an attempt to divide the revolution, no matter how nobly you attempt to "broaden" the Paul umbrella. You are attempting to impose your view of the origins of individual rights on others who don't share your religious beliefs. I personally believe that man created individual rights, which goes against your axiom. Will you next claim that I don't believe in God?
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
2008 Jake Morphonios, all rights reserved.