“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.“
-John Adams
“Liberty can no more exist without virtue and independence than the body can live and move without a soul.“
-John Adams
Tomorrow, we observe Independence Day. With fireworks and barbeques, we will celebrate freedom from tyranny. It is also an occasion to reflect on the meaning of freedom.
Many people believe that freedom is simply the absence of unwanted coercion. For them, it is the “freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want.”
We live in an age in which people use freedom to justify vice. The list of evils is multitudinous: materialism, hedonism, drug abuse, pornography, sodomy, abortion and many other unspeakable acts.
This is a distorted view of freedom. A man who attempts to justify these acts in the name of freedom is not truly free. He lacks virtue and is enslaved to the lowest, basest of passions.
The Founding Fathers recognized that there can be no freedom without virtue. Indeed, virtue is essential to the tradition of American exceptionalism-the belief that America is to have an exceptional role in history- to be a shining nation. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin are clear that without virtue, freedom falls apart.
The past forty years have been marked by the rollback of freedom and the decline of personal and public virtue. The legislation and misdeeds of former President Clinton come to mind. Having rejected the virtue of self-control, we find ourselves awash in a sea of personal and national debt. The average American owes $8,000 in credit card debt. In addition, the national debt is estimated to equal $170,000-$175,000 dollars per person.
Although there are ominous signs, I have many reasons to hope for the future. Last week’s Supreme Court decision, declaring firearms ownership an individual right, is a reason to hope. I spent my college years living in the District of Columbia and witnessed the unfortunate effects of the handgun ban. It turned law abiding citizens into sitting ducks, emboldening the criminals and virtually guaranteeing their success. Gangs of teenagers with BB guns would roam the streets of Washington, mugging people. Luckily, I escaped a brazen 10:15 AM mugging attempt. Many of my friends were not so fortunate.
Moreover, the American spirit gives me great hope. It has always been marked by tenacity, ingenuity, and flexibility. This suits us well to face the challenges of our time. My own generation is a group with great promise, which has not yet been effectively harnessed.
Finally, the work of Pope Benedict XVI is inspiring. The current pontiff’s teachings have combined logical rigor with a humble “back to basics” approach. Among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, he is winning accolades for articulating the essence of Christianity.
This Independence Day, let us give thanks that we live in freedom and remember that it is not possible without virtue.
July 3, 2008
Independence Day: Freedom and Virtue
Posted by James Bailey Brislin under Commentary & Politics, Enfield, The Enfield Press | Tags: American Exceptionalism, freedom, Hope, Independence, Independence Day, Liberty, Morality, Second Amendment, Teleology, Virtue, Virtue Ethics |Leave a Comment
Independence Day: Freedom and Virtue
James Bailey Brislin
The Carpet City Chronicle
The Enfield Press, July 3, 2008
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.“
-John Adams
“Liberty can no more exist without virtue and independence than the body can live and move without a soul.“
-John Adams
Tomorrow, we observe Independence Day. With fireworks and barbeques, we will celebrate freedom from tyranny. It is also an occasion to reflect on the meaning of freedom.
Many people believe that freedom is simply the absence of unwanted coercion. For them, it is the “freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want.”
We live in an age in which people use freedom to justify vice. The list of evils is multitudinous: materialism, hedonism, drug abuse, pornography, sodomy, abortion and many other unspeakable acts.
This is a distorted view of freedom. A man who attempts to justify these acts in the name of freedom is not truly free. He lacks virtue and is enslaved to the lowest, basest of passions.
The Founding Fathers recognized that there can be no freedom without virtue. Indeed, virtue is essential to the tradition of American exceptionalism-the belief that America is to have an exceptional role in history- to be a shining nation. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin are clear that without virtue, freedom falls apart.
The past forty years have been marked by the rollback of freedom and the decline of personal and public virtue. The legislation and misdeeds of former President Clinton come to mind. Having rejected the virtue of self-control, we find ourselves awash in a sea of personal and national debt. The average American owes $8,000 in credit card debt. In addition, the national debt is estimated to equal $170,000-$175,000 dollars per person.
Although there are ominous signs, I have many reasons to hope for the future. Last week’s Supreme Court decision, declaring firearms ownership an individual right, is a reason to hope. I spent my college years living in the District of Columbia and witnessed the unfortunate effects of the handgun ban. It turned law abiding citizens into sitting ducks, emboldening the criminals and virtually guaranteeing their success. Gangs of teenagers with BB guns would roam the streets of Washington, mugging people. Luckily, I escaped a brazen 10:15 AM mugging attempt. Many of my friends were not so fortunate.
Moreover, the American spirit gives me great hope. It has always been marked by tenacity, ingenuity, and flexibility. This suits us well to face the challenges of our time. My own generation is a group with great promise, which has not yet been effectively harnessed.
Finally, the work of Pope Benedict XVI is inspiring. The current pontiff’s teachings have combined logical rigor with a humble “back to basics” approach. Among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, he is winning accolades for articulating the essence of Christianity.
This Independence Day, let us give thanks that we live in freedom and remember that it is not possible without virtue.