Recently a top ranking US government official said that one of their inspirations was Mau Tse Tung. At first one might think that referencing eastern philosophy is sort of “out of the box”, innovative and intelligent. After all, it’s trendy and hip to revere modern day revolutionaries and rebels. Schools are now introducing out kids to Castro, Mau, Marx and other so called rebels. And yet, you hardly hear of our founding fathers, the principles they stood for and how many gave of their own blood.
I don’t think people look far below the surface to truly understand what some of these people stood for and what drove them. They read a couple of quotes and have an outline of what they were about and then buy a T-Shirt with their picture on it because it is “in” at the moment.
I am not saying that we should not consider the ideas from other cultures, but I am saying that we should deeply consider what these people were about and what they stood for before we just buy into what they believe. For example, people read a few quotes, many of which are nice, and think they truly understand. For an education official to publicly declare that they turn to Mau for enlightenment is hideous. History clearly shows that Mau believed in violence, tortured enemies, craved power, lived lavishly, murdered those who stood against him, and is responsible for the largest genocide in history. Yeah; sounds like someone I want to follow. Now compare that with the founding fathers of our country.
John Adams and John Hancock: We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus! [April 18, 1775]
John Adams: “I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen.” December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson
Samuel Adams: “ He who made all men hath made the truths necessary to human happiness obvious to all… Our forefathers opened the Bible to all.”
John Quincy Adams: “The Law given from Sinai [The Ten Commandments] was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code.”
Ben Franklin: “the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern.”
Alexander Hamilton: “I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.”
Patrick Henry: “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”
Thomas Jefferson: “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.”
James Madison: “ We’ve staked our future on our ability to follow the Ten Commandments with all of our heart.”
George Washington: “The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discrimination. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion” …and later: “…reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle…”
This is vastly different from Mau, Castro, Marx, and other trendy philosophy’s. And yet they are taught less and less in schools and even more so at our universities. .I cannot help but admire the commitment and dedication of our forefathers in that they saw a vision of our country way beyond their own lives
The words of our founding fathers are not the popular view today because so much pressure has been put on the shortcomings of our country, plus magnifying and distorting the truth about the founding of our country instead of embracing it’s greatness along with the privilege of living in the United States. Aside from how our country has positively impacted nations around the globe.
I for one, refuse to be a sheep and to allow popular culture and trends to shape how I think. We should not just assume we really get what these so called rebels thought. On the surface, it may appear that they had a lot on the ball, but people that lived in these countries that were affected would probably tell you otherwise. Our forefathers gave their lives and sacrificed so that we can live free and to have the freedom to think for ourselves and to worship as we see fit. Oh yeah, for someone to say that we are not a Christian nation, when over 80% of the population is still Christian and to recognize the vision our country was founded upon, is absurd. Our forefathers founded this country on Christian principle.
So, be original, don’t follow trends. Know what you are following and who you are quoting before you open your mouth and insert your foot.
To your success and Ignite your passion!