Why Religious Values Support American Values

The Heritage Foundation ^ | Heritage Lecture #899 | Joseph Loconte

[Froufrou]

Mr. Loconte’s remarks are adapted from a debate spon­sored by the Oxford Union Society at Oxford, England. He argued against the proposition that “Christian Values Undermine American Values.” He was joined by Richard Lowry, editor of National Review and Eric Metaxas, director of Socrates in the City. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, and Herb Silverman, president of the Secular Coalition for America, argued for the proposi­tion. The debate was held on May 26, 2005.

"The proposition before this august body, that Chris­tian values do not support American values, would have utterly mystified the greatest generation of polit­ical leaders in the history of Western democracy.

Consider this statement from James Madison:

We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government…. We have staked the future upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God."

[Froufrou]

This is long but you don't have to read all of it to get the point.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Oh I want to read the whole thing, but I have to do it later. Thanks for the post.

[John O]

Another good article. Andie, Especially good for the boys.

Emibeth, Welcome to FreeRepublic.

[Froufrou]

John, thank you for pinging the word out there! Welcome Emibeth.

I've read so much lately about how the Founding Fathers didn't put religion in the Constitution that this piece was, to me, a breath of fresh air!

John 4:16

[Dumb_Ox]

I've said this before on articles like these: "Religion" is incredibly vague. Which religion? And which particular theological school of that religion? Certainly the Anabaptists who temporarily installed a theocracy in Muenster wouldn't support the also-very-vague "American Values."

Y'all might want to check out A Fire Strong Enough to Consume the State", a pretty radical analysis of the place of religion in modern politics.

[Froufrou]

You're either kidding or testing me. What about THE JEWS?
Or does the writer presume to insult the reader's intelligence by subscribing to the notion that their group is always on the "wrong" side of the list?

Try the lovely rhetoric on the poor and see how far it goes to feed them. It's a great dance though, all around the topic of globalization. I am of the opinion that globalization is evil and cannot work. Weakest link theory. Instead of the best bringing the others up, just the reverse will happen. This is the premise on which enriched classes are provided for gifted students. IMO.

[Dumb_Ox]

I have no idea where that reply came from. Perhaps I'm just dense, but it looks incoherent.

[Froufrou]

Or perhaps I'm just dense. The essay you provided a link for does not mention Jews or Judaism in its discourse of 'world religions.' I'm not Jewish, but to me this is a MAJOR flaw with the paper.

[little jeremiah]

later read/ping.