Judeo-Christian Philosophy – the Cradle of Western Civilization
In this section I will write about the inherent strengths of our Judeo-Christian values. I do not do so to preach, but to defend the inherent wisdom and goodness of the most compassionate, merciful, and practical philosophy known to man.
“Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them.
Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.”
- President George Washington, Farewell Address
Our nation was founded on the principals of religious freedom. Most of the early settlers came to our shores to avoid religious persecution in Europe. The idea of “separation of church and state” expressed by St. Augustine during the waning days of the Roman Empire was that not only should people have the freedom to do what is wrong, but that government should not meddle in theology.
But somehow freedom of religion has become freedom from religion. Somehow separation of church and state meant the church and religious philosophy has nothing to do with the state.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
- President John Adams
This, of course, is completely contrary to what the Founding Fathers envisioned. They wrote the Constitution predicated upon the firm belief that we would remain a religious and moral nation.
“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”
- President Thomas Jefferson
I find it bizarre when people argue whether or not the Founding Fathers were Christian. They super-analyze scraps of letters and turned-out phrases, hypothesizing with the barest shred of evidence what was on the minds of men who demonstrated their devotion to a just and divine God - not only in their words, but their heroic deeds of courage.
Besides, these revisionist critics completely miss the point. Whether or not the Founding Fathers were Christians or Deists (or whatever name you want to come up with), they clearly established our nation on a foundation of Judeo-Christian beliefs.
Why? Because liberty itself is a Judeo-Christian idea. Human rights began with Moses. Jesus was the first Humanist. Our entire culture is so engrained with the Hebrew culture, that we don’t even realize it - thinking our ideas of justice and compassion have always been around.
They haven’t.
“The Hebrew Bible is, quite simply, the most influential book ever written.”
-Professor Timothy Schutt, Kenyon College
The Bible is the sacred text of nearly half the world. It introduced many revolutionary concepts – concepts that are so engrained to your thoughts that you probably thought people always believed that way. Here are just a few:
Even the great Greek philosophers never tread on the ideas of compassion. They were arguing what form of government worked the best – not what was merciful or good. The hero in the Iliad was a butcher – they only praised him because he demonstrated arête – his excellence at warfare. The Code of Hammurabi attempted fairness, but it did so in a barbaric “eye for an eye” mentality that we mock today.
Eastern philosophy is even worse – even modern day Hindus believe that your station in life is based on the sins or merit of your former life. There is little compassion for the poor because the poor got what they deserve. Watch Slum Dog Millionaire for a realistic example of the heinous debauchery and human degradation by a class system that doesn’t care what happens to the poor.