Constitution in Peril
There is a dangerous political trend that is tearing at the fabric of our political rights in modern times. This trend is that many judges are not basing their judgments on the Constitution, but on their own personal agendas. They defend their actions by self-righteously claiming that their own sense of justice must rule their decisions. The result of this judicial trend is our freedoms are in jeopardy because the Constitution is in peril.
When I was in Law school I took a class on the founding of the U.S. Constitution. We read and discussed the historical context including “The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787” by James Madison, which track the progress of the convention and especially Madison’s “Virginia Plan.” Madison studied many works of History and political science, many of which were sent to him by Thomas Jefferson, who was abroad at that time. Using the Bible, lessons of history and a comparison of many types of governments both historical and contemporary, Madison came up with a plan for a constitution that could produce an enduring form of government. Many of the delegates to the convention were disgruntled with the Articles of Confederation, which had only been in force for a few years. They wanted something that would endure for many years to come. The constitutional system of checks and balances is designed to hold back those who would attempt a power grab. The judiciary is now out of balance and threatening the delicate balance that maintains our rights.
For years, there have been books written and law school professors teaching that the Constitution is a fallible document because it was written for the eighteenth century and much of it no longer applies to a modern society. They pretend to still be a friend of that inspired document by calling it a living Constitution. By this, they mean that it was meant to be meddled with whenever it conflicts with their socialistic philosophy.
A careful study of the founding of the constitution, and the lengths taken to study and prepare a workable document for our Republic, shows that they did not look around them at their largely rural colonies and come up with a form of government that would fit their present circumstances. They searched history and sifted knowledge to find true political principles. The Constitution is built upon these permanent truths that undergird any society that wishes to be free. These political truths fit any moral culture, no matter what the challenges are, even a technologically advanced one such as ours. Our Republic was not a system that grew from immediate needs of a simple agrarian society. Jefferson helped guide Madison, sending him trunks of history and political opinion books to study. Although they studied Greek Democracy, Roman Republicanism and many other ancient forms of government, it was the Bible that was their greatest guide in constructing the principles that make up the Constitution. Not every word of the Constitution may be inspired, but the general principles derived from Judaeo-Christian values gave the foundation for that document and are certainly inspired.
The big question of their era that was being discussed and written about in Europe was; where did the right to rule originate from? Was it the Church or was it a royal blood right? Our founding fathers startled the civilized world, taking an old and unorthodox view that it stemmed from the people themselves. Despite the derision of European royalty and elitists, this idea caught fire and spread. In recent years, the principle of a government of the people, by the people and for the people, has lost ground in Europe and even a little real estate here in America. Tensions have arisen in the last decade between the United States and our old allies, many of the European countries. Two significant trends have taken hold there which may explain this tension. First, religion has weakened its influence all over Europe but the majority of Americans are still religious. Second, there is a resurgence in the idea of blood right to rule in Europe. The Council of Princes is an organization that was put together from European royalty after World War II. They worked ceaselessly to accomplish through economic means, what Hitler attempted to do with his war machine. They united Europe into what is effectively, one nation. Political apathy and fatalism is prevalent among the European people and this made them an easy target for the entrenchment of socialism. We must stir ourselves so this same apathy does not spread among us and we forget that power stems from the people.
We reaffirm the eternal truths embodied in the Constitution, that all men were created equal and that we were literally endowed by our creator with inalienable (non-transferable) rights. In working to secure a safe America, we need to raise our voices and be heard, declaring that a climate of fear should not pressure us into giving up our Constitutional rights. Once they are lost, they cannot easily be recovered. Secular humanists tend to believe we should preserve life at all costs, even at the cost of many freedoms. It is understandable why they believe this. They are convinced there is nothing beyond death, so they are committed to making this life as safe as possible to preserve safety at all costs, even freedom. Religious Americans usually believe that it isn’t enough just to be alive, it is how we live that is important. So in effect, we are speaking a different language than Secular Humanists speak. Our vision of reality is completely different.
Let us shine a light on efforts to weaken those God-given principles written in the Constitution so we can more easily live our religions and raise our families in an atmosphere of freedom.