Freedom and Morality
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Words from the United States Declaration of Independence.
Freedom, perhaps mankind’s most sought after ideal. But freedom is much more than to be free to do as you wish. Freedom is more than freedom from government oppression.
Freedom is the ability to let others do what they wish no matter how much you disagree with them. That is provided that is they are not harming anyone or restricting another persons freedoms. As it has been said,
“your freedom stops short of your fist hitting my face.”
That being said man needs I believe, a moral compass only God can provide,
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
We only have to look at the history of the twentieth century to see that governments without a moral compass can destroy a society.
Hitler and his cohorts killed six million Jews as well as million of others in the death camps. In all the war he started cost the lives of between fifty-six and sixty million depending on the estimates you take.
Today terrorist groups around the world are substituting their morality for that of God’s and killing millions of innocent men women and children.
These men like those before them have turned from God they do not believe the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
The same can be said of immoral businessmen and women who defraud millions from trusting men and women. Street thugs, gang members, petty thieves all lack fear of God.
Rabbi Benjamin Blech noted,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive. Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints. People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism. The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
As I look at the presidential race taking place in the United States I and may others are appalled at what one candidate in particular is saying about various groups.
Yet all that is needed to stop him or anyone else from doing such a thing is to make all candidates sign a morality clause. A clause that would forbid attacks on any group. A clause that would require candidates to uphold the dignity of all people.
Sadly however a common morality system is slipping away not just in the United States but in all nations around the world.
The teachings of God are being thrown to the gutter and society is the worse for it. If ever there was a time mankind needed to turn back to God it is now.
Please think about it.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Words from the United States Declaration of Independence.
Freedom, perhaps mankind’s most sought after ideal. But freedom is much more than to be free to do as you wish. Freedom is more than freedom from government oppression.
Freedom is the ability to let others do what they wish no matter how much you disagree with them. That is provided that is they are not harming anyone or restricting another persons freedoms. As it has been said,
“your freedom stops short of your fist hitting my face.”
That being said man needs I believe, a moral compass only God can provide,
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
We only have to look at the history of the twentieth century to see that governments without a moral compass can destroy a society.
Hitler and his cohorts killed six million Jews as well as million of others in the death camps. In all the war he started cost the lives of between fifty-six and sixty million depending on the estimates you take.
Today terrorist groups around the world are substituting their morality for that of God’s and killing millions of innocent men women and children.
These men like those before them have turned from God they do not believe the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
The same can be said of immoral businessmen and women who defraud millions from trusting men and women. Street thugs, gang members, petty thieves all lack fear of God.
Rabbi Benjamin Blech noted,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive. Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints. People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism. The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
As I look at the presidential race taking place in the United States I and may others are appalled at what one candidate in particular is saying about various groups.
Yet all that is needed to stop him or anyone else from doing such a thing is to make all candidates sign a morality clause. A clause that would forbid attacks on any group. A clause that would require candidates to uphold the dignity of all people.
Sadly however a common morality system is slipping away not just in the United States but in all nations around the world.
The teachings of God are being thrown to the gutter and society is the worse for it. If ever there was a time mankind needed to turn back to God it is now.
Please think about it.
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