American freedoms, establishing nations through secular agreements and contracts, religious liberty, and violence by terrorists are in view, today. The excellence of America among the many nations of the modern world continues to derive from its facility for focusing multiple streams of community and shared value even incorporating dissent as a tool to increase benefit and maintain stability. In the same way practices and principles from the empires of Babylon, Greece and Rome have been woven into the fabric of American life, through Native American, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Hindu and even Islamic believers, many aspects of divine law, sacred knowledge, and eternal purpose recorded in various holy writings are continuously acted upon and blended in on a day-to-day basis as the practical performance of “democracy in action.” Thus, our determination as Americans to maintain a secular nation that also acknowledges the spiritual desires and needs of its diverse population also can be traced to teachings from the Bible that declare the duty and purpose of mankind as caretakers for the earth who are to be fruitful, multiply, protect and replenish. Consider again: Psalms 115: 16 (KJV) The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. Psalm 62: 10 (KJV) Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Ecclesiastes 5: 8 (KJV) If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Also, Matthew 20: 25-28 (KJV) 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Dances With Labradors” (Level 6 with 12,708 points, a member since September 04, 2009) posted the following:
If Muslims would cut our throats given the chance, are we really obliged to honor their religious freedom in the US?
Throughout the Muslim world, non-Muslims are severely persecuted. Do you really think it is important to protect the religious freedom of Muslims?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Agents of Allah? (01/26/2015); Separation of Church and State (07/04/2014); The Point of Wisdom? (07/05/2014); To Live As a Sacrifice (03/08/2014); GOD in Schools? (12/20/2012); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012); Holiday Displays? (12/07/2012); An Attack Upon Creation? (12/08/2012); Mob Rule and Violence (09/27/2012); Suppose I Am Wrong? (09/28/2012); No Free Will (10/19/2010)
“Dances With Labradors”, the United States of America exists as a covenant agreement shared by men, women, and children bound together as separate sovereign states and territories. Because the U. S. was founded on the basis of political science as well as personal codes of honor and spiritual belief, America is not easily recognized as a collection of agreements for mutual support that continue only through the maintenance of a citizen’s word as “sacred” (we say, promise is final, sacrosanct, and is not to be challenged or broken). There also is an unspoken acknowledgement of Deity as the ultimate arbiter and judge both to enforce the binding contracts and to resolve all conflicts threatening final disunion. (This is so, because the highest authority to enforce affairs of honor and promise at the Nation’s founding was generally understood to be Almighty GOD.)
Our residents and visitors are to be under the protection of law. The blessing of religious freedom in America also has been shown the same high regard as other privileges and rights (e.g., voting to choose elected officials) in that latitude is granted every citizen to pursue their own beliefs as they agree with the fundamental and necessary law of the land in spite of (not on the basis of) cultural differences, denominations, dress codes, ethnicity, gender, family, tradition, tribal customs, specific practices, structure for governance, theological content, or wealth.
The framework for freedom employed by this Nation is not threatened by the lawful activity of those who express and make commitment to divinity. Those individuals and groups now creating havoc within the Middle East and around the globe do so refusing to acknowledge any covenant for government upon the earth, except their own directed to create an institution (caliphate) that does not presently exist. They acknowledge no clerical hierarchy (we say, church), men of faith, or nation as having authority, legitimacy and sovereignty over their cause. While they proclaim themselves endorsed by holy writings, they mercilessly attack others who are neighbors and fellow worshipers of the same god they name as their own. To the extent their focus is merely upon carnal pleasure after death (72 virgins in paradise?), those fighters have no vision of their god as a living spirit that requires rising to a level above that of the flesh. To the extent they count themselves bound by no law except their own faith, “freedom” appears defined by appetite, emotion, and self-promotion. They show themselves to be anti-American, self-destructive, and hopelessly ensnared by human error, politics, and sin.
Again, there is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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