ran 2.1 miles
“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 labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens…Let it simply be asked, where is the security for prosperity, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
It is one thing to live and to be willing to die for such American principles as freedom of religion, but when these principles are used against a nation for the advancement of beliefs that serve no purpose other than to undermine the culture and beliefs of that nation, those freedoms are no longer tools for happiness and prosperity but weapons wielded to twist and maul the fabric of freedom.
The double standard that exists between America’s humble acceptance of all religions and those religions that despise America’s culture and beliefs is getting more and more difficult to accept. There is a fine line to walk when trying to balance the integrity of America’s religious freedoms and the insult some of those freedoms slap our nation in the face with when used divisively.
I don’t think George Washington was referring to Shariah law or any other oppressive system of belief that violates so many God-given human rights. I don’t think our first president ever condoned the idea of killing infidels or any other people who did not see things the way he or America’s citizens did.
The freedom America grants certain people to encourage such ideas as Shariah law as a real American possibility, the freedom this religious zealot in Florida has to make world news of burning copies of the Koran, the fanatical church members who recently legally earned their right to protest at American soldiers’ funerals, the freedom America grants to entertain the idea of putting a Mosque at Ground Zero---where does it end?
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed today that President Barack Obama would face an end far more embarrassing than that of his predecessor, George W. Bush. His reasoning was that Obama uses force, as well as, deception and conspiracy. If that’s not snow calling rice white, I don’t know what is. Apparently we are supposed to play “fairly” and “transparently” against nations who despise our culture and our differing religious views.
George Washington’s emphasis on religion and morality as a necessity for America to thrive can hardly be argued, but we are threatened by another religion that seeks to buckle our beliefs and to impose itself upon this nation.
Our president began his term apologizing to the world for America’s elitist behavior and our nation’s “arrogance”. That obviously served no real purpose in maintaining America’s strength and integrity and it goes to show that no gesture, however humble it may appear, will appease people who refuse to accept your culture or your beliefs.
1,449.3 miles to go.
“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 labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens…Let it simply be asked, where is the security for prosperity, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
George Washington, Farewell Address
It is one thing to live and to be willing to die for such American principles as freedom of religion, but when these principles are used against a nation for the advancement of beliefs that serve no purpose other than to undermine the culture and beliefs of that nation, those freedoms are no longer tools for happiness and prosperity but weapons wielded to twist and maul the fabric of freedom.
The double standard that exists between America’s humble acceptance of all religions and those religions that despise America’s culture and beliefs is getting more and more difficult to accept. There is a fine line to walk when trying to balance the integrity of America’s religious freedoms and the insult some of those freedoms slap our nation in the face with when used divisively.
I don’t think George Washington was referring to Shariah law or any other oppressive system of belief that violates so many God-given human rights. I don’t think our first president ever condoned the idea of killing infidels or any other people who did not see things the way he or America’s citizens did.
The freedom America grants certain people to encourage such ideas as Shariah law as a real American possibility, the freedom this religious zealot in Florida has to make world news of burning copies of the Koran, the fanatical church members who recently legally earned their right to protest at American soldiers’ funerals, the freedom America grants to entertain the idea of putting a Mosque at Ground Zero---where does it end?
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed today that President Barack Obama would face an end far more embarrassing than that of his predecessor, George W. Bush. His reasoning was that Obama uses force, as well as, deception and conspiracy. If that’s not snow calling rice white, I don’t know what is. Apparently we are supposed to play “fairly” and “transparently” against nations who despise our culture and our differing religious views.
George Washington’s emphasis on religion and morality as a necessity for America to thrive can hardly be argued, but we are threatened by another religion that seeks to buckle our beliefs and to impose itself upon this nation.
Our president began his term apologizing to the world for America’s elitist behavior and our nation’s “arrogance”. That obviously served no real purpose in maintaining America’s strength and integrity and it goes to show that no gesture, however humble it may appear, will appease people who refuse to accept your culture or your beliefs.
1,449.3 miles to go.
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