Jesus Talk

"Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law." -Jefferson

Would the world be a better place with or without America? It hard to argue that it would be better place without our nation, but that doesn't mean we should praise ourselves for 'our glorious nation.' We've done great things in the past. We have also done awful things. And more recently it can be argued that we've done more harm then good. The reason the world is a better place with the United States is not because we are by default 'Americans,' it is because we as individuals have the will and the opportunity to speak out against what they believe is wrong. I was told it is because the freedom that is granted to us by God is protected by the declaration of independence. I can't understand that version of freedom. Granted by someone or something else? Freedom to me, like so many other things, is a choice. I can choose to to be submissive to another persons will, but instead I choose to be free. The human right that is granted by free will - that freedom is protected by the constitution. (Mind you the declaration of independence holds no weight in our government and is more of a whine list about the king.) Further more our founding fathers were deist so freedom granted by God would be questionable. Jefferson him self said

"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear."

I have no problem with people believing in God, but the blindfolded faith Jefferson speaks of is what keeps individuals complacent. One of the most dangerous states of being. It is this faith that burned innocent men, women, and children at the steak. It is this faith that begins wars 'in the name of Christ' and in the cost of others. It is this faith that condemns those who do not fit the outline of religious perfection (which should be everyone but only seems to be the select few). It is the faith, however, that enslaves entire races, and then frees them.

The power of America is not God given freedom, but the ever lasting opportunity to change. Christianity or all kinds, along with thousands of other religious organizations will never vanish. The hope is that there will also always be those individuals that question the wrong of the world and challenge those who say things can not change.