belief

 It is only through a common belief that a common goal can be achieved. It is quite obvious if you give that any thought at all. The common belief that formed the basis for the revolution was that the King was treating his subjects unfairly. These abuses were tolerated for quite a lengthy period of time. If we are going to say 1619 was the beginning of America, as the New York Times has been insisting is the truth, it was one hundred and fifty-six years. We had had enough by 1775. The common belief being, we can do this on our own! We don't need no King. Independence was achieved through this common belief. It took eight years for that to become a reality. In 1783 England signed the Treaty of Paris and we became an independent nation. 

 Now those that were leading the charge, the ones doing the paperwork, because we all know the job is done until the paperwork is complete, certainly believed that as well. And so, they wrote a document explaining the reason for our displeasure. It was a declaration. It began with this statement, "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another" and went on to explain the authority for that action lies with God. Beyond a common belief that they were being mistreated it was explained that it was your God given right to dissolve those bands! Just as Moses commanded the Pharoah, set my people free, so too, "we the people" could demand our freedom. It was the common belief in God that served to motivate those in the battle. It was the belief that God alone controlled the destiny of man. In 1781 Thomas Jefferson, in his work "Notes on the State of Virginia" wrote the following: " God, who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God."  It is clear to me. He was talking about motivation and conviction. A belief. A common belief! 

  Those same people that were writing those documents held different views on exactly what God was. Today many cite that several of those founding fathers were Deists. That could very well be the case but that in itself doesn't change the common belief, the belief that God exists. They wrote in their documents that the state shall not establish a religion. What they were saying was, you are free to worship God in your own way. Well-read and educated I'm certain they were aware of a quote from Epictetus. "All religions must be tolerated for every man must get to heaven in his own way." The belief in a heaven was present in that thought as well. It is true that those writers and statemen believed in the Christian god. They understood the roots of that religion lay in Judaism. They also knew that Islam contained the same basic precepts as Christianity and Judaism. It was only in the directives of the one composing that book that strayed from that. The manner of worship in the Old Testament differ from what is written in the New Testament. The core belief remains unchanged, however. What was, and what remains important is the common belief. 

  Jefferson brings up a valid point. Can we expect to keep our nation without a common belief? People are blocking others on Facebook because they don't share a common belief. Is it reasonable to think a country can survive without a common cause, a common belief? A common goal is essential. It is what put the first man on the moon. America has never been defeated in any declared war! "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory." FDR 

  What is the common goal of America today? Is it to become a participating member in some new world order? A global community? If that is the case what is the common goal of the world population? Is that to be decided on a global scale by a handful of leaders? How many voting members in that organization. Currently there are 193 nations in the United Nations. Each nation is acting on behalf of their citizens, at least that is the proposal isn't it? There is a council of fifteen members that can recommend or deny membership to any nation. If the council approves then a 2/3 majority vote is required by the general assembly. That is 128 votes. Still, it takes nine of the fifteen members to get that to a vote. Nine people to decide on a global decision? What would the common goal be? 

 A global redistribution of wealth and resources. That is the only common goal I can envision. Interesting to note is that the United Nations does not have an official mission statement. It was formed to hopefully prevent world wars, to give everyone equal footing in the world. But no mission statement. Is that simply because those in power don't want anyone to know the true agenda of that organization? Or is it simply because no common goal could be agreed upon, no common belief. Should the Aliens arrive will we the people of Earth unite in a common goal to defeat them or to join them? That is if we even have a choice about that. In the meantime, what is the common goal. 

  For me I believe in America. I believe in God and country. That doesn't mean I hate everyone else, it means I'm taking care of my family first. I expect others will doing the same thing. If we all share that common belief, we should all get along just fine. When others attempt to impose their beliefs to the detriment of myself and my family, I will rebel. The same holds true when those beliefs are to the detriment of my nation! It is only through common belief that a common goal can be achieved. When common belief is lost chaos will follow. A revolution will occur. History shows us that. It is the lack of belief that destroys a nation.