Just So You Know Where We Stand

I rarely write about religious topics unless they have to do with politics and politicians, or terrorism, which is intrinsically intertwined with religious dogma of a sinister kind.

Yet from time to time writing about religious beliefs is unavoidable, particularly when it comes to understanding the founding of our Republic and the views of the persons who founded it.

True, not all of the Founders where Christian, but most were officially affiliated with a Christian congregation. And they wrote at length about their views, including references to Jesus Christ.

The authors of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were clearly convinced that human rights are not the invention of men and women, nor are these rights 'granted' by government.

Rather, they saw liberty as God-given. And all human beings are endowed with these liberties by their Creator, no matter what governments say. Governments may recognize and protect these God-given rights, or they may detest them and refuse to recognize them, much to the peril of the citizens.

Thus, the U.S. Government does not and cannot 'grant' the right to bear firearms, the right to speak freely without government restriction, and the like. These are pre-existing rights granted to human beings by God. The only thing the U.S. Government can do is recognize and protect these God-given rights, IF it chooses to do so.

The Founders believed that our form of government is unique in that it has chosen to recognize and protect these God-given rights.

But each succeeding generation is charged with the responsibility to make sure that the vision of the Founders is preserved and protected from tyrants and despots, wolves in sheep's clothing, who incessantly attempt to rob the citizens of these rights.

As a Christian, therefore, I believe that my rights are given by Christ Himself. As the Bible states, 'If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.' And, I believe that it is incumbent upon me to fight to protect these rights from those within our own country who apparently have no more regard for the Constitution than they do for Hitler's Mein Kampf.

Further, I believe it is my responsibility as a Christian to fight for the rights of non-Christians every bit as fervently as I do for that of Christians. All of those who believe in human liberty that is unfettered and unrestricted by oppressive government has been enlightened to that truth whether they are Christian or not.

This means that Jews, Buddhists, moderate Muslims, and those with no religious beliefs are part of the same team if they believe that basic human rights are inherent and not 'created,' 'given,' or 'granted' by government. Rights stand totally apart from and outside government.

Thus, on this Easter Sunday, I can celebrate the fact that Christ lives and has made it possible for the entire human race to be truly free.

It is to that end that The Liberty Sphere is dedicated...just so you know where we stand.

Happy Easter!