If they reject religion, so they must invent one. Individuals may reject the truths of religion as we know them, but it remains for them to choose what they will accept, on faith, to be true. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has pointed out that “woke” culture is a form of religion. If there is no right and wrong, what does it matter what individuals choose? So, the core of a free society is free choice at the individual level, and the core of free choice at the individual level is right and wrong. We see every day that beautifully designed political systems and governments fail if, at the individual level, there is wanton and irresponsible behavior. It was George Washington, whom I often quote, that pointed out that no beautifully designed government will work if, at the individual level, we do not have morality and religion. But outside of government protecting freedom, where does each individual find his or her personal freedom they want protected? Is this or that country, or society, “free”?Īccording to the words composed by Thomas Jefferson in our Declaration of Independence, we are all born with rights and “to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men.”Īnd, in the stirring conclusion of the Declaration, the signers declared the American colonies, “free and independent states.” That raises an important point that gets too little attention.Ĭertainly, in our country and in the Western world, few words get more use than the word “ freedom.”īut the freedom we hear so much about is freedom in the political sense. That is, the basic rules conveyed to each individual regarding how to live a meaningful, responsible and successful life, and how to engage and relate to one’s neighbors, are remarkably similar. They all view as sacrosanct life, family, and property. Looking at the three major religions-as noted, all engaged today in major holidays-we see on the surface different narratives and traditions.īut regarding the rules for living that emerge out of these different traditions, there is remarkable common ground. So, although on a percentage basis, engagement with religion has dropped, it still remains a major factor among the American population. adult population-those over 18-we’re talking about more than 100 million Americans engaged in an active way with religion. Per Pew Research, now about 40% of Americans monthly attend religious services either in person or viewing online or on TV. In our own USA, as I have touched on in columns past, the number identifying with religion and attending religious services has dropped. So, although in our time there has been a retreat in various circles from religion, it still remains a major force and presence in our world. It is a unique and special time now because Christians, Jews, and Muslims all are engaged in major holidays of religious contemplation and renewal: Christians with Holy Week and Easter, Jews with Passover, and Muslims with Ramadan.
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