With dark shadows of uncertainty descending upon the hearts of so many at the conclusion of 2012, one can only hope 2013 will be a year of promise. But even in these dark days, miracles do still happen, especially when people are willing to roll up their sleeves for the cause of freedom.
This present darkness has its roots in our nation’s moral decline, and the further we get from our moral center, the worse off we are as a people — and a nation. It has taken some time to get where we are today. Over the years, conservatives have allowed progressives to hijack the conversation about our founding principles. Liberals have replaced morality with moral relativism in an attempt to justify their own moral ineptitude. For example, a group recently sanitized the King James Bible from any reference to homosexuality, replacing it with their own politically correct version they titled the “New Queen James Bible.”
Moreover, we’ve allowed liberals to distort our founders’ intentions concerning the separation of church and state. Consequently, prayer and most other references to God have been banned from the public square; yet they see no plausible correlation to those actions and recent mass shootings.
Mum’s the word when it comes to God, but the roof is raised by right-to-choose discussions — just as long as the conversation stays within the confines of the human life women should be allowed to extract from their bodies. But choice flies out the window when the discussion changes to things the rest of us put in our bodies — like soda, fats, salt and caffeine. They’re all about women’s rights — until you mention Islamic extremism or third-world barbarism in places like Darfur. And to them, capitalism is reprehensible, but taking hard-earned money from a capitalist is OK.
Progressives’ ideological inconsistencies will be their downfall and their ideology will most certainly crumble beneath the weight of truth just as the Iron Curtain did in 1989.
What is wrong in America today is what went terribly wrong in Russia many years ago when the Soviet Union tried the Marxist way to go it on its own without God. While many cast the blame for their problems on poor economic and political choices, Russian writer and Nobel Prize recipient Alex Solzhenitsyn blamed it on the fact “men had forgotten God.” He was right, and the world discovered how wrong Marx was when men (and women) who refused to forget God played a monumental role in crushing communism in Eastern European countries.
The story is told in Philip Yancey’s book, “Finding God in Unexpected Places,” that in East Germany every demonstration began with worship. (I’m not getting all spiritual on you here; I’m simply restating history.) Small groups would throw prayer meetings filled with political dissidents, concerned citizens and some of those reprehensible Christians. After a period of prayer, pastors spoke while holding newspapers in one hand and Bibles in the other. Afterward, participants went outside to walk peacefully through dark streets holding banners and candles.
In October 1989, as East Berlin was celebrating the 44th year of its communist regime, police were instructed to shoot demonstrators in Leipzig, where crowds had grown to nearly 500,000, but thankfully never did. On Nov. 9, the crowd had doubled to one million when the unimaginable happened: A gap in the Berlin Wall opened. Without incident, candle-carrying East Germans peacefully filed through and over the wall, effectively bringing down the East German government in the process.
By years’ end, multiple Eastern Bloc countries joined East Germany’s fate, and by the end of 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved. Hope sprung eternal and the world experienced a long-anticipated fresh breath of freedom because people put their faith and longing for freedom into action thus allowing the world to witness a miracle.
Copyright 2012 Susan Stamper Brown, an opinion page columnist, motivational speaker and military advocate who writes about politics, the military, the economy and culture. Email Susan at writestamper@gmail.com or her website at susanstamperbrown.com.
Arizona Willie posted at 7:56 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Well, if you TRULY want to do something about a " moral decline ", the first step would be to get rid of all the corrupt Republican officeholders.
We have elected officials who spend millions of dollars of taxpayer money filing lawsuits against voter approved laws that they personally don't like.
We have Republican legislators who prevent any legislation controlling legislators receiving gifts from lobbiests from coming up for a vote.
We have a prominent official who hires his disbarred girlfriend to work in the AG's office and then gets in a wreck while driving her car while wearing a disguise taking his tootsie to her apartment for a nooner and who runs away and denies he hit another car.
But the FBI was watching him ... apparently they know how corrupt he is even in Washington.
We have legislators who take sports tickets as bribes ( gifts ) and a County AG who can't find anything wrong with that to charge them with.
Time after time scandals about Republican officeholders come out but yet Arizonans keep putting Republicans back in office.
Perhaps the sun has baked our brains.
But Arizona politics is corrupt to it's core.
When you have crooks and fools for leaders, how can you expect a moral society?
downtownresident posted at 7:57 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
You God-like conservatives have only yourselves to thank now that the Pagans have outsmarted you and introduced sin to the unwashed masses. We now openly practice what you hypocrites have been doing behind closed doors and under your garments for eons.
Your whiny arrogance makes me laugh, and makes me sad at the same time.
While you do-gooders and sin free people have had your heads firmly planted in the sand, or up your collective (insert appropriate biological term for the orifice I have in mind here) the world has changed around you.
Instead of wringing your hands and blaming liberals because your daughter got pregnant why not give her a real example to follow instead of teaching her how to blame others for her shortcomings.
Why not just tell your God to smite all us sinners and then you can have your "perfect" world back.
Accuracy posted at 8:12 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Susan Stamper Brown mentioned, Philip Yancey’s book “Finding God in Unexpected Places,” which was published in 1997. As a Christian journalist, Yancey's writing is about his understanding of God, the world, and faith. Unique and refreshing insight into the ways God reveals himself to us.
Today, as we begin the year of 1213, we too can find God and remember to keep Him at the center of our life all year long. Love, hope, forgiveness and commitment are all gifts that we give and receive to make life new. All of these virtues are a wonderful way to help us leave the old behind and step into the new.
AZgirl55 posted at 8:34 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
It must be exhausting for Stamper Brown and her ilk, standing in judgement of everyone, defining morality for us all. Not that I don't appreciate her efforts but I think she should focus on running her own life and leave everyone else to do the same. I know she may be shocked to learn this but many of us are living quite moral, happy, and productive lives without her guidance.
Cerulean posted at 9:32 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
I know a sweet little old lady who lives at an assisted living facility in Mesa. She has her hair done and her toes manicured once a week. She goes to church on Sunday, she watches Fox news and she picks-up a copy of the Tribune from the community dining room from which she clips coupons. She, no doubt, believes that the religious commentary by this guest columnist is soothing; it fits her personality. She told me that she is taking a Bible study course. I asked her, “After a lifetime of being a Christian, have you not studied the Bible?” She said, “No, not enough.” She must really enjoy the stories.
I too hope you find Him God, Accuracy. I am certain that if you keep looking in all the unexpected places for love and forgiveness and all the gifts you give and receive in your new life, you will discover unique and refreshing insights. Bless you.
Arizona Willie wraps it up nicely. Republican politicians repeatedly demonstrate that they know exactly where to look to receive the gifts that they greed for.
chatmandu002 posted at 9:51 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Susan,
You are preaching to a dwindling crowd. This country is lost to the greed of takers. The government has taken over our personal responsibilities and our freedoms. When our laws mean nothing, our borders mean nothing, our word means nothing then it's time to realize that the reasons for founding this country has been cast aside. Replaced with a big government socialist state that penalizes success and rewards failure.
Mike McClellan posted at 10:31 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Speaking of "ideological inconsistencies" . . .
So we have an Arizona Republican legislature that professes to be concerned with our state's kids.
And so passes law after law protecting the unborn.
But once those same kids are born? Good luck, kids.
So those same Republicans cut health care for them and their parents. They cut care for the kids whose parents leave the kids in the hands of the CPS. They cut funding for the courageous social workers in the CPS who try to handle case loads 100% higher than the recommended maximum. They cut funding for those same kids' educations, and make college educations unaffordable for those same kids.
Yeah, those are nice "ideological inconsistencies."
As to the Soviet parallel, if you want to find the American version of the Potemkin village, all you have to do is tune in Fox News for a day.
Slabside posted at 10:54 am on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Susan sums it up correctly. Case in point...CNN' s Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffith on the New Year celebration broadcast.
Dale Whiting posted at 12:19 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Susan,
The short answer to the headline is "No, we will not be declining." But thanks to people like you, we shall be hearing your swan song over and over and over again.
Morality is an individual thing, not a national thing. Our founding fathers refused to allow women to vote so Sue, you'd be out of both a constituency and a job. And they permitted human beings to be slaves, allowing them to be treated brutally and inhumanely.
Today, we have made considerable progress, moral procress and are on the brink of making more progress. That you cannot or will not see this progress speaks volumns about your individual moral problems. I wonder why it seems to be the conservatives who stand in the way of this modern moral progress? Why don't you analyze that and get back to us?
nemesis9 posted at 1:03 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
This has to be one of the most ignorant articles I've read in a while. Go back and study the history of religion in England. Protestant kings murdered Catholics, Catholic kings murdered Protestants.
America's founders were well aware of that history and what happens when a government endorses a religion. I always wonder at you people who just don't want to accept "... the government shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..."
The founders of this country were wise and they wanted to stop religious tyrants such as yourself from gaining power. You have a lot to learn about freedom and democracy, neither of which you apparently understand. It is your morality that needs improving.
onerebel posted at 1:14 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
OH did Susan stir up the God-less elitist's hornets nest on this one! What's funny is the people from the left on here that point out the corruption, greed, hypocrisy and hate from people on the right. Yes all of those things are true of some on the right, however all one has to do is look at this administrations current sandals and broken promises, as well as read some of the comments left here, to see an excellent example of hypocrisy!
Slabside posted at 1:55 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Well said onerebel!
Cerulean posted at 6:04 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Speaking of immoral, let’s not forget that most of Arizona’s Republican Legislators are members of ALEC. We should all know whose organizing interest is behind ALEC.(?) Yes, it is the anti-climate change Koch brothers. Koch is so vested in coal and oil that they will do anything to dirty the science of global warming and the economics of clean energy.
This past year Richard Muller, a Berkeley physicist, reported after a 3 year study that reinforces what all global warming science describes, and that is that global warming exists and is largely caused by human activity. And that it is having a far worse effect on the planet than commonly thought; the Koch’s just ignore the results even though they paid Muller for the study.
Arizona Republican House Speaker Andy Tobin went to Washington to attend “classes” provided by ALEC. This is when ALEC tells representatives how to view and write public policy. ALEC published a pamphlet for legislators wherein they preach that the EPA regulation is a “Train Wreck”, that the only economically sound thing to do is to burn more coal and oil.
Arizona Republicans are morally corrupt.
onerebel posted at 7:24 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
Since you would like to talk about others shining morals, what about anti-capitalist, billionaire and socialist George Soros,known as the "the man who broke the Bank of England," who has so many Democrats ears in Washington, including the President ? What about the antics of Arizona Democrats Mary Rose Wilcox? Who took gifts for votes on the baseball stadium and then sued Arizona tax payers for close to 1 million dollars because the official she was having the dispute with didn't have as much money as the taxpayers. What about Harry Mitchell and Ann Kirkpatrick, who spent hundreds of thousands of tax payer money on bonuses to their staff after they lost elections back in 2010? After seeing the true character of Kirkpatrick Democrats ended up reelecting her this election? Is that the type of morals you think the GOP should be displaying? OK, we'll see if Russell Pearce is willing run again in 2014! [wink]
Dale Whiting posted at 10:00 pm on Tue, Jan 1, 2013.
"God-less elitist's hornets." Now there's an objective, well reasoned analysis of the problem. [wink][wink]
JMJ posted at 6:33 am on Wed, Jan 2, 2013.
Another year, another far right viewpoint. Defining morality for the rest of the world, separating oneself from "the rest" with an elitist point of view that sweeps those who are not just like that one's self off the table. Completely. Unequivocably. Keep your pews warm for me--I prefer the huddled masses who offer way more than a straight arrow, narrow viewpoint. Your "morality"? Heal thyself.
Lord, save me from YOUR people, once more.
VofReason posted at 1:38 pm on Wed, Jan 2, 2013.
It must be a new year. I agree with Azwillie, but not for what he thinks. He makes the best case for why Government should be small and powers limited. Otherwise, too many players, to much opportunity and too many picks of winners and losers. I am sure he is not saying that no democrat has ever taken liberties- right? And for Nemisis, thank you for bringing up fools agruement number one, that seperation of church and state was meant to get religion out of the public square. Take a look at alomost every public building from the era and see 10 commandments, reflections of God, "One Nation under God", etc. May shatter your "arguement" and basic liberal premise
Cerulean posted at 7:36 pm on Wed, Jan 2, 2013.
VofReason, please tell us which government buildings you are thinking of that display the 10 commandments. You are very loose with your words as "alomost every public building from the era" do not exist. However I would still like to see your suggestions.
VofReason posted at 12:20 pm on Thu, Jan 3, 2013.
Boy you cuaght me there. Let's see:
Moses with the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the Library of Congress
Moses on the rear facade of the U.S. Supreme Court
Moses with the Ten Commandments inside the
Supreme Court's courtroom
Throughout the Capitol Building, there are references to God and faith. In the Cox Corridor a line from America the Beautiful is carved in the wall: America! God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!
In God we trust on our Money
A Chapel in the Capitol?
VofReason posted at 12:25 pm on Thu, Jan 3, 2013.
Most of our founding fathers were college educated and had much to do with the building and administration of early colleges in the US. Find one that doesn't have in it's charter- here is Harvards: Whereas, through the good hand of God, many well devoted persons have been, and daily are moved, and stirred up, to give and bestow, sundry gifts, legacies, lands, and revenues for the advancement of all good literature, arts, and sciences in Harvard College, in Cambridge in the County of Middlesex, and to the maintenance of the President and Fellows, and for all accommodations of buildings, and all other necessary provisions, that may conduce to the education of the English and Indian youth of this country, in knowledge and godliness
DonMey posted at 1:18 pm on Thu, Jan 3, 2013.
People are going to kill other people. If you fully integrate "god" into everyone's lives, they'll just kill in the name of god.
Accuracy posted at 3:43 pm on Thu, Jan 3, 2013.
Scripture confirms that God hears us, true happiness is found in our relationship with God: “But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.” (Psalm 68:3)
With all of the uncertainties in life, the beginning of a new year marks a time for renewal, and a time for introspection. With fresh things from the One Who promises; “Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:5)
Cerulean posted at 8:45 am on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
Yes, I guess I did catch you there, VofR. Not one of the institutions or public buildings you name is of the “era” of this great countries founding. And, not one incorporates the actual Ten Commandments in the architecture.
Let’s start with the Library of Congress built in 1896 (100 years after the signing of the Constitution) Yes, there is a book in the Library of Congress by Cecil B. DeMille titled The Ten Commandments. However, it was not added to the library until 1923.
Let’s look at the art and architecture of the Library. I see two nude native Americans in a mural depicting writing, I see the Minerva of Peace and the Evolution of Civilization. There is a mural called ‘Religion’, where a young man and a woman are in nature praying at a cauldron of fire. There is a sculpture of Moses in the reading room; as well as a sculpture of Plato, Beethoven. Herodotus, the Greek Solon (where you can actually read OI NOMOI (“the law”)), Shakespeare, Homer et el.
There are references to God in and around the art displayed throughout the storied walls, (When those references were put there, you do not know.) however it is all mixed and mingled with Greek philosophy, Roman administration, Islamic physics, modern languages, tributes to artist and literature as well as botany, study, astronomy, discovery and on and on. The images are meant to convey context, to visually demonstrate that we have an awareness of the world, that we are an educated society not a society founded on a single religion. The references to any (and several) gods in the Library speak of the evolution of learning.
Cerulean posted at 8:49 am on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
The U.S. Supreme Court building built in 1939: Again, the Greek God Solon and Goddess Justice along with, Neptune are at the front of the Supreme Court. You may prefer the Moses relief and its symbolism of Hebrew law but he is on the rear facade. Can you read the Ten Commandments? No.
AS for everything else you mention – the “founding fathers” had nothing to do with it.
Cerulean posted at 8:54 am on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
I should have wrote 'writing' of the Constitution, not 'signing' of the Constitution.
Arizona Willie posted at 9:26 am on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
Cerulean ... you should be ashamed of yourself.
There you go again, destroying VofReasons delusions by throwing those UGLY facts at him.
VofReason, and most of his religious kin, have no need of facts. They have their ideology and delusions which fit their desire of the way ' things should be '.
I got my first personal computer in 1984 and, since then, I have debated with hundreds of conservatives on BBS's ( the forerunners of the Internet ) and various forums on the Internet. I doubt that even 3 of those people ever changed their mind on anything --- of course they didn't have much luck changing my mind either :)
We all have our views of right and wrong.
It is just a darn shame so many Republicans have to be so wrong.
Cerulean posted at 10:57 am on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
AzWillie,
I do not know who all reads these comment sections. Probably not many, but I never know and I did not want to allow VofR’s comment about the buildings go without a response.
Have a good day [smile]
VofReason posted at 2:08 pm on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
Boy how could I have confused Moses holding 2 stone tablets with having anything to do with God. Silly me. I must also be incorrect about Harvard and the actual founding fathers being connected to and driving force in many of the early educational institutions that invariably have reference to God and his glory in their charters. I must also have been confused that congressman, senators and the President all swear on the bible for their oath of office. Especially the President from Washington.
This official motto, adopted by the university (Harvard) in 1692, was consistent with Harvard’s original vision for its educational purpose. Among the “Rules and Precepts” of 1646 was the following:
Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3).
VofReason posted at 2:13 pm on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
President Obama at 2012 DNC:
But, alas, Barack Obama appealed to better angels in this speech—and not just those angels supposedly pervading the federal government. Indeed, in what was no doubt a response to the intense criticism over the exclusion of God by the Democrats, Obama last night delivered one of his most religious speeches. He first noted that Americans are endowed “by our Creator with certain inalienable rights”—though he wasn’t about to go where Cardinal Dolan went. He next mentioned the importance of “churches and charities.”
Maybe he needs to consult with AzWillie and Cerulean on the seperation of Church and State- no? And probably needs to check his "facts" also.
VofReason posted at 2:16 pm on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
AzWillie states "It is just a darn shame so many Republicans have to be so wrong."
Perhaps, can you point to what you think is going right? Steady unemployment, raising taxes, increases in spending, government and ever increasing debt. Is this your idea of success? Or is it still someone elses fault?
Arizona Willie posted at 3:42 pm on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
VofReason said: " Perhaps, can you point to what you think is going right? Steady unemployment, raising taxes, increases in spending, government and ever increasing debt. Is this your idea of success? Or is it still someone elses fault? "
Steady unemployment? WRONG unemployment has been falling pretty well and the outlook, especially in Phoenix, is very good.
Raising taxes? WRONG AGAIN. Taxes are not raising, they are just going back to the level they were before a special TEMPORARY tax cut that was intended to stimulate the economy.
Taxes will be no higher than they were before -- unless you make over $400K -- in which case quitcherbitching. :)
Yep spending increased. The overspending of the Bush administration had caused a recession and Obama had to spend a lot to try to turn it around. Bush scrooed the pooch for 8 years and Obama did a pretty good job of repairing the damage in 4 despite the constant NO saying of the Republicans.
Slabside posted at 7:56 pm on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
Unemployment just went back up to 7.8%. Quit kissing Obammer's backside for once Willie!
Cerulean posted at 8:38 pm on Fri, Jan 4, 2013.
VofR, Harvard is a private university. It is not a government building.
I have never said that the Founders were not influenced by religious ideas. I am denying that the commandments are written out on the government buildings you listed.
BTW – Harvard “college was never affiliated with any particular denomination, but many of its earliest graduates went on to become clergymen in Congregational and Unitarian churches throughout New England.” says Wiki
Do you know that Unitarians do not believe in the trinity? They believe that Jesus is a prophet, not a God and not the son of God. That makes Unitarians, a lot like Jews.
Deddzone posted at 10:07 am on Fri, Jan 11, 2013.
OK...extremism from both sides is irrational. Comparing our country to Russia where they stomped out God? Really? Freedom of religion is alive and well---ask Tom Cruise about his beliefs.
This country is not in moral decline. But there is never a point in history that someone is not screaming about their bible being taken away. Calm yourself and go get it from the next room, as it's still there.
I'd rather have accountablity alive and well. Responsible for your actions ring a bell? No need to get all holier-than-thou and knock folks who don't believe what you do.
I did notice Ms. Stamper-Brown did not quote Jesus. Why not select a good quote on peace from the prophet who brought the message? I think it's hard to quote when your message is a "point and blame" and not about peace.