This week, as we approach what may arguably be the most historic presidential elections this nation has ever witnessed, I'm reflecting on why America is such a great nation. Formerly powerful nations like the USSR have collapsed and lost their significance. Why? In todays world, there is no longer any question as to who the sole surviving "superpower" is. However, before we throw caution to the wind and revel in our arrogance, it would serve us well to explore why former great nations fell from their lofty heights. America was founded on the virtues of Christian doctrine (whether we are comfortable with that fact or not), and many of the Founding Fathers, as well as some of our more enduring presidents, have made no secret of the fact that they believe implicitly that America was and is meant to be a Christian nation. Most, if not all of these men, would be considered 'politically incorrect' in todays pervasive climate of tolerance at all costs even if it violates Biblical mandates. Today I feature a quote from President Ronald Reagan.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Flat world?
“Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”– Ronald Reagan
While Reagan was one of the most eloquent and erudite leaders of our time, it didn't require a 'prophetic' gift to deduce the things that he so powerfully articulated above. I fear for the direction of our nation if we don't heed the warning. What are your thoughts on this issue?
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3 comments:
"And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure."
This statement, alone, I struggle with b/c God did not endorse democracy...it's a man made way of government/thinking.
While it is probably the best system in place at this point and time- on earth for humans (then again, the US is not a full democracy, rather a republic- and practiced as a democratic-republic), the Kingdom of God is not a democracy...to think that God favors one form of earthly government over another seems presumptuous...it excludes fine countries who practice another form of government- it's like praying that God will help the Ohio State Buckeyes to win over Michigan...shrug...
However, Reagan was right when he said that w/o God there is no virtue or conscience.
Ashley thanks for adding your voice. I don't interpret Reagan's words as suggesting that democracy is God's system of govt (though a very good argument can be made when you look at God's instructions to them in the book of Deuteronomy on how to set up government and leadership). However, in keeping with your logic that democracy is the lesser of available 'evils,' if it is to be run successfully and effectively, a complete dependence on God is essential (this is what I understand Reagan to be saying). Neither Socialism nor Communism offer options for living godly lives. Is it possible that that could be the reason why they are less valued systems of govt than democracy?
I agree that without God a republic or a democracy is not going to edure.I believe that the biggest thing that is tearing this nation down is people wanting to the federal gov. to do things that it wasn't set to do and that it just can't provide.It's almost that most people think that the U.S. gov. is some sort of god.Like they want to be in some sort of Socialist or Communist system as long as it works for them.
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