I've finally decided to compose my thoughts in an organized fashion.
"Standing on the shoulders of giants", originally attributed to Bernard of Chartres, and made famous by Isaac Newton, is a phrase with which I wholeheartedly relate. I consider myself intelligent, moderately well-read (although way behind where I'd like to be), and a logical thinker. However, I heavily borrow on the insights provided by others. I will start by apologizing for improper or failed attribution. I tend to remember the quote or thought beyond remembering from whom I borrowed it, although I will make an attempt to locate any quotes (Google is your friend) before posting them.
I consider myself a Christian, a husband and father, and an American, in that order (God, family and country).
I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the One Living God, who came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and was crucified for the redemption of our sins. He rose on the third day to prove His victory over death, and has ascended into heaven to prepare that place for us, so that we may live forever with Him when he comes to bring us home. That is not to say I think that I have all the answers, or that every answer comes from the Bible. I do feel that this is a firm foundation, however, on which to base my life, my opinions, and my further questions.
I also firmly believe that as an extension of my Christianity, and having made vows to God and my wife at our wedding, and again to God at my children's dedication, that my second duty is as a husband and father. I place those two in that order very carefully. If I neglect my duties as a husband, especially to the point of separation or divorce, it becomes impossible to carry out those duties as a father. Also, by carrying out the duties of a husband, I can be an example for my children, and also show my children that I love them by keeping my marriage together. Family responsibilities, of course, extends to parents, in-laws, siblings, and further extended family. America has lost the respect for family in many ways, however. I feel that I fall down in this area as much as any other, as family is very easy to de-prioritize. "Honey, I have to work late tonight," "me and the boys are going out for a drink," "the game is on tonight." While these may be necessary tasks, or enjoyable and relaxing activities, these (or a combination of them) can easily overwhelm family time. And while "quality time" is important, the best way to ensure "quality time" is to spend the right
quantity of time with your family. Again, one of my weak points.
As a third plank in my firm and unshakable beliefs, I believe that America is a unique and special place. America is also a
great country. This is not to say we are a perfect country, but that we were placed on good footing by our founding fathers, that the overwhelming majority of the American people are hard-working, compassionate, and generous, and that America's best days can be in front of us. I believe that the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, along with many other documents encompassing our founding documents were written in plain language, not legalese, and that lawyers and politicians have twisted them from time immemorial to suit their own purposes. Of course twisting words is something that most lawyers and politicians do for a living.
I firmly believe in a Jeffersonian "separation of church and state", but not in the manner currently being forced upon us by our politicians and the court system in this country. America is a Christian nation, founded by Christians (or at worst, Deists), and in the words of John Adams, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." That doesn't mean that the government should enforce a religion or religious point of view on any person (which is barred by the First Amendment). Nor does it mean we should pull our laws straight out of the Bible (or Torah, or Koran). What being a Christian nation means is that our traditions, unwritten societal norms, and many of our written laws, come from a Judeo-Christian philosophy. (I am a firm believer that Christianity stands on the shoulders of the Jewish giants, and is more an extension, or completion, of Judaism, than a separate religion or philosophy.) It means that the Ten Commandments, the Cross, Star of David, etc., are as much symbols of American tradition as they are symbols of religion. It means that the laws, norms, and traditions are best when the American people live up to the morality and conviction of our founding fathers.
Since this is an introductory post, it does ramble. However, I hope that you will find this introduction as a sufficient guide as to the basis from which you can expect the other writings found here to have come. I would expect that if you take issue with the above, you will likely take exception to many of the other writings found here (at least those on religion and politics).
I hope to be informative, and maybe even entertaining in the posts you find here. This will not be a highly focused narrative, as I don't have the time or energy to maintain multiple blogs to separate my interests. Hopefully, I will write something of interest to you, and you find yourself willing to stick around, and be informed or entertained by topics of lesser interest.
Until next time,
James
