A.J. Castellitto
Theocracy rising
By A.J. Castellitto
"Some forms of political doctrine, for instance, function religiously, reflecting the worst features of orthodoxy and authoritarianism, especially when they sacrifice individuals on the altar of Utopian promises. Purely economic and political viewpoints, whether capitalist or communist, often function as religious and ideological dogma. Although humans undoubtedly need economic and political goals, they also need creative values by which to live." – Humanist Manifesto II
Theocracy can take various forms. Religious humanism is a fairly recent and particularly subtle theocratic development that has risen under the guise of secularism and religious neutrality.
"Today man's larger understanding of the universe, his scientific achievements, and deeper appreciation of brotherhood, have created a situation which requires a new statement of the means and purposes of religion. .. a vital, fearless, and frank religion capable of furnishing adequate social goals and personal satisfactions may appear to many people as a complete break with the past. While this age does owe a vast debt to the traditional religions, it is none the less obvious that any religion that can hope to be a synthesizing and dynamic force for today must be shaped for the needs of this age." – Humanistic Manifesto I
America was never a Christian nation represented by a single religious persuasion. However, our rule of law was definitely established under the ironclad premise that we are one nation under God!
"The time has come for widespread recognition of the radical changes in religious beliefs throughout the modern world. The time is past for mere revision of traditional attitudes. Science and economic change have disrupted the old beliefs... In order that religious humanism may be better understood we... desire to make certain affirmations which we believe the facts of our contemporary life demonstrate." – Humanist Manifesto I
The great experiment has gone AWOL and is being replaced by a baseless arbitrary utopian fantasy void of reason and reality. Law without a moral foundation is like a ship without a rudder.
This nation was founded on faith and freedom. In the wisdom of a narcissistic few shall we trust? Over our dead bodies...
Tragically, it feels as if it's where we're headed. When you take away reason, design and moral absolutes, anything can be justified.
Blind revenge and contrived revolution that fails to see past the physical complexion into the heart and soul of man ultimately amounts to a fool's paradise (and a wise man's hell). At the end of the day this is where we are.
With the left leading the way, America is become a land of make believe in the making. Radical activism reigns...
"So stand the theses of religious humanism. Though we consider the religious forms and ideas of our fathers no longer adequate, the quest for the good life is still the central task for mankind. Man is at last becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has within himself the power for its achievement." http://americanhumanist.org/humanism/humanist_manifesto_i
Our liberty, freedom and governmental consent are the inalienable rights of every naturalized American citizen. We are not a theocracy but we were never intended to become a godless oligarchy. But this is exactly where we are headed.
"Those are not at all to be tolerated who deny the being of God. Promises, covenants, and oaths, which are the bonds of human society, can have no hold upon an atheist. The taking away of God, though but even in thought, dissolves all; besides also, those that by their atheism undermine and destroy all religion, can have no pretence of religion whereupon to challenge the privilege of a toleration. As for other practical opinions, though not absolutely free from all error, yet if they do not tend to establish domination over others, or civil impunity to the church in which they are taught, there can be no reason why they should not be tolerated." – John Locke
© A.J. Castellitto
"Some forms of political doctrine, for instance, function religiously, reflecting the worst features of orthodoxy and authoritarianism, especially when they sacrifice individuals on the altar of Utopian promises. Purely economic and political viewpoints, whether capitalist or communist, often function as religious and ideological dogma. Although humans undoubtedly need economic and political goals, they also need creative values by which to live." – Humanist Manifesto II
Theocracy can take various forms. Religious humanism is a fairly recent and particularly subtle theocratic development that has risen under the guise of secularism and religious neutrality.
"Today man's larger understanding of the universe, his scientific achievements, and deeper appreciation of brotherhood, have created a situation which requires a new statement of the means and purposes of religion. .. a vital, fearless, and frank religion capable of furnishing adequate social goals and personal satisfactions may appear to many people as a complete break with the past. While this age does owe a vast debt to the traditional religions, it is none the less obvious that any religion that can hope to be a synthesizing and dynamic force for today must be shaped for the needs of this age." – Humanistic Manifesto I
America was never a Christian nation represented by a single religious persuasion. However, our rule of law was definitely established under the ironclad premise that we are one nation under God!
"The time has come for widespread recognition of the radical changes in religious beliefs throughout the modern world. The time is past for mere revision of traditional attitudes. Science and economic change have disrupted the old beliefs... In order that religious humanism may be better understood we... desire to make certain affirmations which we believe the facts of our contemporary life demonstrate." – Humanist Manifesto I
The great experiment has gone AWOL and is being replaced by a baseless arbitrary utopian fantasy void of reason and reality. Law without a moral foundation is like a ship without a rudder.
This nation was founded on faith and freedom. In the wisdom of a narcissistic few shall we trust? Over our dead bodies...
Tragically, it feels as if it's where we're headed. When you take away reason, design and moral absolutes, anything can be justified.
Blind revenge and contrived revolution that fails to see past the physical complexion into the heart and soul of man ultimately amounts to a fool's paradise (and a wise man's hell). At the end of the day this is where we are.
With the left leading the way, America is become a land of make believe in the making. Radical activism reigns...
"So stand the theses of religious humanism. Though we consider the religious forms and ideas of our fathers no longer adequate, the quest for the good life is still the central task for mankind. Man is at last becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has within himself the power for its achievement." http://americanhumanist.org/humanism/humanist_manifesto_i
Our liberty, freedom and governmental consent are the inalienable rights of every naturalized American citizen. We are not a theocracy but we were never intended to become a godless oligarchy. But this is exactly where we are headed.
"Those are not at all to be tolerated who deny the being of God. Promises, covenants, and oaths, which are the bonds of human society, can have no hold upon an atheist. The taking away of God, though but even in thought, dissolves all; besides also, those that by their atheism undermine and destroy all religion, can have no pretence of religion whereupon to challenge the privilege of a toleration. As for other practical opinions, though not absolutely free from all error, yet if they do not tend to establish domination over others, or civil impunity to the church in which they are taught, there can be no reason why they should not be tolerated." – John Locke
© A.J. Castellitto
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