A philosopher once said that an unexamined life is a life not worth living. I think this is a truth that is pertinant for today. This afternoon, my son in law, whose degree is in psychology, gave us a personality test. I had taken this test before and it didn't "sit well" with me, as far as the results. It just didn't seem like it "fit' or was comfortable. I asked the tester back then, if stress or extenuating circumstances would affect the answers and therefore the results. I know now, that it does.
After taking the test, and reading the results, I felt relieved and "okay". I am a "General". My childern all agreed that this was who I was/am. I had been thinking that there was a "perfect" or "ideal" Christian. That is NOT so...and it is freeing to know that how I am, is what I am supposed to be. Religion is very deforming, in its conforming stance, and demanding "change" because one is not "perfect" or "ideal" like Jesus.
Religion can be a form of mental illness, I think. It hinders self-acceptance, and creates another reality, instead of dealing with the real, and pertinent. It seeks to attain something that is alien to the natural person, some spiritual sense or spirituality that is not based in the 'real world".
So, on this Mother's Day, it is okay that children are not my "ideal goal". And as I wrote before, I don't care about politically correct things, and many times I don't care about religiously correct things. If that is okay with you, then maybe we can be friends. Otherwise, we must go our separate ways. No guilt, as Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways and that seemed okay for the writers of "your authority".
Showing posts with label personal freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal freedom. Show all posts
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Reagan's Legacy; Political and Religious Freedom
The mention of Ronald Reagan's name raises ire or admiration, depending on one's ideology. But, no one can deny that his presidency left a large legacy that remains to this day.
Reagan was the "ideal" of conservative values of individualism, determination, hard work, limited government and freedom. He inspired the conservative views of American values, while his commitment to humor dissolved defences of his opponents (at the time). His legacy ran the gamut from the economic crisis left by the Carter adminstration, the freeing of the Iranian hostages, to the call for "tearing down the wall" between Eastern and Western Germany.
His ideals of freedom and justice for all, his optimistic outlook, and eternal hope in the American dream and dependence on American values were the driving and determining commitment of his presidentcy.
I find that the human heart cannot live without vision, dream or ideals, which inspire the individual to accomplish and attempt to attain a 'better way of life". The human heart was what Reagan appealed to.
I find that the socialistic enterprise whether in government or organizations tend to leave the human heart burdened by "mandates of "resposible behavior". Social responsibility is a good value, but cannot be "mandated" without hindering or limiting individual freedom. Freedom is the first and foremost responsibility of any good government. Freedom allows the market to flourish as it rewards those who have goals of business prosperity, as well as the individuals who choose a different way of life.
An ideology of materialism cannot be the basis of any government, while freedom can. Governments based on materialism, whether absolutizing the free market or social responsibility is a short sighted view to the 'common good". While alligning the free market for the benefit of the social may be productive to the material well-being of the government or organization, it limits individual choice and rewards those who have shown personal irresponsibility.
While personal freedom is the first responsibility of a good government, there should be a balance of power in understanding that no one has the "full" or "right" view of the future. And universalizing "social concern" does not make the proper distinctions about who is truly worthy of help, without enabling those who want to be social parasites.
I loved Reagan. He inspired my heart every time I listened to him. He was transparent, direct, and honest about his values. He did not have an attitude of arrogant "etlite-ism", as he always made comments of humor that balanced his "statements of commitment" with humor and grace.
I thought of him this morning and smiled.
Reagan was the "ideal" of conservative values of individualism, determination, hard work, limited government and freedom. He inspired the conservative views of American values, while his commitment to humor dissolved defences of his opponents (at the time). His legacy ran the gamut from the economic crisis left by the Carter adminstration, the freeing of the Iranian hostages, to the call for "tearing down the wall" between Eastern and Western Germany.
His ideals of freedom and justice for all, his optimistic outlook, and eternal hope in the American dream and dependence on American values were the driving and determining commitment of his presidentcy.
I find that the human heart cannot live without vision, dream or ideals, which inspire the individual to accomplish and attempt to attain a 'better way of life". The human heart was what Reagan appealed to.
I find that the socialistic enterprise whether in government or organizations tend to leave the human heart burdened by "mandates of "resposible behavior". Social responsibility is a good value, but cannot be "mandated" without hindering or limiting individual freedom. Freedom is the first and foremost responsibility of any good government. Freedom allows the market to flourish as it rewards those who have goals of business prosperity, as well as the individuals who choose a different way of life.
An ideology of materialism cannot be the basis of any government, while freedom can. Governments based on materialism, whether absolutizing the free market or social responsibility is a short sighted view to the 'common good". While alligning the free market for the benefit of the social may be productive to the material well-being of the government or organization, it limits individual choice and rewards those who have shown personal irresponsibility.
While personal freedom is the first responsibility of a good government, there should be a balance of power in understanding that no one has the "full" or "right" view of the future. And universalizing "social concern" does not make the proper distinctions about who is truly worthy of help, without enabling those who want to be social parasites.
I loved Reagan. He inspired my heart every time I listened to him. He was transparent, direct, and honest about his values. He did not have an attitude of arrogant "etlite-ism", as he always made comments of humor that balanced his "statements of commitment" with humor and grace.
I thought of him this morning and smiled.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Determined by Evolution, God, or Choice?
Rational people take responsibility for their lives, but reason is not the domain of determinism, by God or by evolution.
Evolution maintains that man is a product of chance, while Divine predestination determines by Sovereign Will. Blind Chance or Sovereign Will do not lead to responsible behavior. Chance leads one to disregard human life as nothing other than part and parcel of the natural order, while Divine Will disregards man as morally responsible or accountable for life in this world. Both undermine personal value and choice based on rationale.
Theistic evolutionists hold to "God" ordering the world through evolutionary means. But, at what point does man become responsible for the "chance" or "chaos" that occurs within reality? Some have argued at the "age of accountability", when the child reaches puberty. The Jewish religion and many others have a 'rite of passage" where the young person becomes an adult. Adults are called to self-determination or self-governance. But, not only is man responsible for himself, but man is to order the universe. Man determines, not nature or "god". But, if man determines, what is he to determine? Since man is a responsible being, then man should not determine another, but allow freedom of choice in responsible behavior.
The West understands social/political reality as one of contract or treaty. We negotiate and strategize with the other party, but we do not plan deterministically. Historically, this was not the case, as slaves were given, or exchanged in trade agreements, disregarding the slave's life and personal boundary. Kings had the pre-reogative to determine other's lives, but democracy values all life equally.
Evolutionists to be consistant would disregard any boundary of another as we are not separate entities but a "World Soul" or less. Divine Providence is no less culpable in disregarding the individual's life, if that is the pre-determined state of " God's will". There is no room in this view for personal boundary, as "God" is seen to be the Ultimate. Our wills should be nothing less than "His", which dissolves the distinction between God and man. Man is to become "One" with God. Personal, social and political distinction dissolve or really have no value or meaning when one views life in these ways.
America's values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness affirm the value of the individual in personal boundaries and moral choice. Moral value hinges on moral choice, otherwise, life is no more than an evolutionary "play" or God's "novel", where He is the Only character that really exists or matters.
I would much rather believe in freedom to be, to do, and determine my own destiny, without interference. Those who would like to help me find the way are welcome to do so, but only if they respect my choice and value my independence.
Evolution maintains that man is a product of chance, while Divine predestination determines by Sovereign Will. Blind Chance or Sovereign Will do not lead to responsible behavior. Chance leads one to disregard human life as nothing other than part and parcel of the natural order, while Divine Will disregards man as morally responsible or accountable for life in this world. Both undermine personal value and choice based on rationale.
Theistic evolutionists hold to "God" ordering the world through evolutionary means. But, at what point does man become responsible for the "chance" or "chaos" that occurs within reality? Some have argued at the "age of accountability", when the child reaches puberty. The Jewish religion and many others have a 'rite of passage" where the young person becomes an adult. Adults are called to self-determination or self-governance. But, not only is man responsible for himself, but man is to order the universe. Man determines, not nature or "god". But, if man determines, what is he to determine? Since man is a responsible being, then man should not determine another, but allow freedom of choice in responsible behavior.
The West understands social/political reality as one of contract or treaty. We negotiate and strategize with the other party, but we do not plan deterministically. Historically, this was not the case, as slaves were given, or exchanged in trade agreements, disregarding the slave's life and personal boundary. Kings had the pre-reogative to determine other's lives, but democracy values all life equally.
Evolutionists to be consistant would disregard any boundary of another as we are not separate entities but a "World Soul" or less. Divine Providence is no less culpable in disregarding the individual's life, if that is the pre-determined state of " God's will". There is no room in this view for personal boundary, as "God" is seen to be the Ultimate. Our wills should be nothing less than "His", which dissolves the distinction between God and man. Man is to become "One" with God. Personal, social and political distinction dissolve or really have no value or meaning when one views life in these ways.
America's values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness affirm the value of the individual in personal boundaries and moral choice. Moral value hinges on moral choice, otherwise, life is no more than an evolutionary "play" or God's "novel", where He is the Only character that really exists or matters.
I would much rather believe in freedom to be, to do, and determine my own destiny, without interference. Those who would like to help me find the way are welcome to do so, but only if they respect my choice and value my independence.
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