Traditions. Traditions are our connections to the past. That is why they matter. That is why they should be preserved. That is why they should be observed.
There is much discussion in this country regarding Christmas and the celebrating of the season. There are those that wish all references removed from the public discussion. The separation of church and state. It is true that there are provisions made just for that in our constitution. I will not argue with the legality of that, but there is a rich tradition in this country, a tradition of Christianity ! And now there are those that would dispel that tradition on the grounds of freedom.
It is a fact that the United States of America has no state sponsored religion. That was written into our constitution. It was written there by whom ? Christians. That's who wrote that in there and that is who voted to approve it ! Many so called " scholars " will debate that statement claiming Jefferson and others where dietists. Blah,blah, blah. Still the fact remains the majority of the assembly had to approve it. No, Jefferson didn't just write the constitution and everyone else said, " that's cool " let's go with that. It was hotly debated and in the end agreed upon. I dare say, prayers for guidance were offered, yes, Christian prayers. There are many references to God throughout our government. In God we Trust, does that sound familiar ? When the President of the United States takes his oath of Office what book does he place his hand upon ? When you are sworn ( or affirmed ) to tell the truth in court what book do you swear upon ? You can see where this is going can't you ? So, I feel confident in saying, Christianity has a very rich tradition in America. I would go further to say that Christianity is supported by the majority.
Since the founding of our great nation have we not raised our children, for the most part, in the Christian tradition ? Are they not the values we teach ? I don't think that requires much explanation. It is easily seen that that is our tradition. It is a tradition, I dare say, that has served us all very well. Unfortunately there are those that now desire to only follow the written laws. Let us discard traditional values and just go with what is written down. Living your life with a contract ? And therein lies the crux of the matter. Ir we remove Christ from the discussion all that remains is man. It is with other men that we must make and enforce these contracts. Lawyers as judges. But what of a moral code ? Where is that spelled out ? Where is it delineated ? In our tradition it is in the pages of the Bible. It is not the " law " of the land. Our founders felt it unnecessary and dangerous to do so. Why ? Because within the pages of the Bible it clearly says man has free will. We will not make laws to constrain that ! That free will pertains to belief and tradition. You may choose. Your choice must be supported by the majority in order for it to become a law, a law written by man. Even with a majority, a certain victory, our founders did not impose the Christian faith upon the citizens ! That is what they escaped and what they did not want here. They knew then, as we know now, traditions cannot be imposed upon a population.That is the responsibility of the population, not the government.
Times change that is true. The manner in which each of us wish to be treated has not. That is why man writes his laws. It is an effort to spell out our traditional values. Yes, Christian values. If we exclude these " traditional " values from the public discussion what are we left with ? Only with those that have sufficient power to impose their will. Now that is something to think about. What do we then teach our children ? Teach them that they are only bound by the law of man ? Teach them that if you don't like those laws, just replace them ?
This attack upon our tradition is unsettling to say the least. Is not autocratic rule just the very thing our forefathers wished to avoid ? Is it not our tradition ? That is where we are headed however, if we allow it. I am not calling for a crusade. What I am calling for is a stand for tradition. You do not need to observe my traditions, but you do not have the right to deny them to me either. I would say you have an obligation to acknowledge them. To be dismissive of others traditions is the ultimate sign of disrespect. There are those that consider themselves " patriots " yet trample our traditions. There are those that consider themselves " educated " yet fail to understand.
Well, I have said what I wanted to say. I will add that I think if we wish to place a Christmas tree or any other message on a public building that's just fine with this taxpayer. Should you wish to place a Menorah there, Happy Hanukkah. Buildings do not represent the government, people do !
There is much discussion in this country regarding Christmas and the celebrating of the season. There are those that wish all references removed from the public discussion. The separation of church and state. It is true that there are provisions made just for that in our constitution. I will not argue with the legality of that, but there is a rich tradition in this country, a tradition of Christianity ! And now there are those that would dispel that tradition on the grounds of freedom.
It is a fact that the United States of America has no state sponsored religion. That was written into our constitution. It was written there by whom ? Christians. That's who wrote that in there and that is who voted to approve it ! Many so called " scholars " will debate that statement claiming Jefferson and others where dietists. Blah,blah, blah. Still the fact remains the majority of the assembly had to approve it. No, Jefferson didn't just write the constitution and everyone else said, " that's cool " let's go with that. It was hotly debated and in the end agreed upon. I dare say, prayers for guidance were offered, yes, Christian prayers. There are many references to God throughout our government. In God we Trust, does that sound familiar ? When the President of the United States takes his oath of Office what book does he place his hand upon ? When you are sworn ( or affirmed ) to tell the truth in court what book do you swear upon ? You can see where this is going can't you ? So, I feel confident in saying, Christianity has a very rich tradition in America. I would go further to say that Christianity is supported by the majority.
Since the founding of our great nation have we not raised our children, for the most part, in the Christian tradition ? Are they not the values we teach ? I don't think that requires much explanation. It is easily seen that that is our tradition. It is a tradition, I dare say, that has served us all very well. Unfortunately there are those that now desire to only follow the written laws. Let us discard traditional values and just go with what is written down. Living your life with a contract ? And therein lies the crux of the matter. Ir we remove Christ from the discussion all that remains is man. It is with other men that we must make and enforce these contracts. Lawyers as judges. But what of a moral code ? Where is that spelled out ? Where is it delineated ? In our tradition it is in the pages of the Bible. It is not the " law " of the land. Our founders felt it unnecessary and dangerous to do so. Why ? Because within the pages of the Bible it clearly says man has free will. We will not make laws to constrain that ! That free will pertains to belief and tradition. You may choose. Your choice must be supported by the majority in order for it to become a law, a law written by man. Even with a majority, a certain victory, our founders did not impose the Christian faith upon the citizens ! That is what they escaped and what they did not want here. They knew then, as we know now, traditions cannot be imposed upon a population.That is the responsibility of the population, not the government.
Times change that is true. The manner in which each of us wish to be treated has not. That is why man writes his laws. It is an effort to spell out our traditional values. Yes, Christian values. If we exclude these " traditional " values from the public discussion what are we left with ? Only with those that have sufficient power to impose their will. Now that is something to think about. What do we then teach our children ? Teach them that they are only bound by the law of man ? Teach them that if you don't like those laws, just replace them ?
This attack upon our tradition is unsettling to say the least. Is not autocratic rule just the very thing our forefathers wished to avoid ? Is it not our tradition ? That is where we are headed however, if we allow it. I am not calling for a crusade. What I am calling for is a stand for tradition. You do not need to observe my traditions, but you do not have the right to deny them to me either. I would say you have an obligation to acknowledge them. To be dismissive of others traditions is the ultimate sign of disrespect. There are those that consider themselves " patriots " yet trample our traditions. There are those that consider themselves " educated " yet fail to understand.
Well, I have said what I wanted to say. I will add that I think if we wish to place a Christmas tree or any other message on a public building that's just fine with this taxpayer. Should you wish to place a Menorah there, Happy Hanukkah. Buildings do not represent the government, people do !
No comments:
Post a Comment