As I survey the bewildering array of political ideas that float around television, newspapers, social media, overheard conversations, etc. it occurs to me that a point needs to be made to clear the mud out of the water.
There seems to be a general consensus that "religions" are all basically the same. That is, everyone worships the same God by whatever name they give him, and, except for some of the finer theological differences, there is a moral equivalency to the whole religious soup. It follows, then there really is no reason why we can't all "get along." If we could just get past all of the superfluous wrangling about doctrine, we should be able live peaceably together.
Muslims need to get over their idea that everything non-muslim must be exterminated; Christians need to get over the idea that God somehow has conferred upon them a moral superiority; atheists need to get over there atheism, etc.
A closer look at all of this prompts one to pause over the idea of "freedom." If freedom is defined as being able to think and do what you want, to earn and keep the things that you have created, to move freely around in your own environment, to be safe from harm from other people, to associate (or not) with anyone you wish, and generally decide for yourself what you want to believe - even if the choice sends you to hell, then the fundamental ideas of Christianity are vastly superior to all other theological systems. Even if you do not believe anything about Christian doctrine, the true seeker of wisdom and truth embraces the basic idea of Christian thought because it provides the most sought-after social environment - true institutionally established freedom.
What sets Christianity apart from all of the religions of the world is the idea that man is a special creation of God and is endowed with the personal dignity of deciding his own fate. Without this basic premise, freedom is not possible.
So the true seeker of wisdom and truth who questions everything, with tongue-in-cheek enthusiastically embraces the idea that God created him and, by God, nobody is going to tell him what to do or believe, nobody is going to take away his money or his land or his country, he is going to say what he wants when he wants to, and if anybody doesn't like it, too damned bad!
So when the liberal politician rails against the "intolerance" of Christianity and attempts to stamp it out, what he really is doing is laying the axe at the roots of his own freedom and all others in the society. Totalitarian political systems cannot tolerate this individual freedom because free men will not be bullied and have their lives taken over by a bunch of pinheads.
What does all of this mean?
Even if you do not have any faith of any kind in God or creation or moral objectivity, if you are a clear-eyed seeker of wisdom and truth, you must pretend to embrace these ideas and enthusiastically promote them because it is in your own best interest.
What about it, seekers? Have you got the guts to act in your own (and everybody else's) best interest, or will you retreat into the vacant world of an ideology that will ultimately strip you of your dignity and your wealth?
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