Jews seem to be a joyful people group. Their celebrations flow in joyful music and their traditional dances are ebullient. The list of Jewish comedians is astounding:
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=vetHXKfxMKfHjwSCqr7YCA&q=jewish+comedians&btnK=Google+Search&oq=jewish+comedians&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i131j0l9.1514.6208..6664...0.0..0.187.1973.2j15....2..0....1..gws-wiz.....0.1ESd3R3ZI60
Their religion, traditions and cultural bonds were strong enough to enable them to maintain their identity for two thousand years without a home land, scattered over the earth. They rank as the most intelligent people on earth. Though they comprise only .2% of the world's population, they earned 22.5% of the Nobel awards. They have historically been, I believe, one of the most persecuted people groups, yet have consistently enhanced the cultures they have inhabited, bringing humor and advancements in the sciences and arts. Both Christianity and Islam grew from the roots of Judaism; yet Christianity has lived harmoniously and respectfully with it; Islam, obviously, not so much. It's important to note here that the Judaism and Christianity of the Koran have fundamental divergences from those of the Bible.
America's democracy is deeply rooted in Judaeo-Christianity; a fact that cannot be rationally disputed. Our Founders were men who knew and respected the Bible; and the religion that they strove to protect from state regulation and looked to to provide the psycho-spiritual maturity in which democracy could flourish was undoubtedly Christianity in its various denominations and manifestations. It was the predominant or exclusive religion of the early American settlers and colonists. https://wallbuilders.com/the-founders-as-christians/
Anyone who has deeply studied the Bible can attest to its unifying and liberating power--a fact that elucidates its harsh exclusion by all tyrannical governments [something all free people should take note of]. Our Founders recognized that the religion of the Bible could protect a populace from tyranny; even theocratic tyranny. It was the desire of our early ancestors that Americans be acquainted with the Bible that motivated the institution of free public education: so that voters would know when and if the amended laws of our nation were straying from its [the Bible's] principles. [Google "The Old Deluder Satan Act"] All the original American universities were seminaries geared toward ministry training, and many of the Framers were clergymen.
These roots have formed and sustained what many believe to be the greatest nation on earth, providing unprecedented freedom and prosperity. In light of what history reveals about the risings and fallings of nations, and particularly the dreadful suffering associated with humans trying to govern themselves and maintain some semblance of peace; bloody revolutions that produce nothing better than what was revolted against; it seems foolish for Americans to so lightly regard these roots and this foundation laid by our Founders and to take so lightly their wisdom about the importance of religion as a necessary pillar of democracy. Where and to whom are these important facts of our history being taught? In public schools? In the universities? How far can we drift from the foundation of our Founders--the foundation that has provided unprecedented blessings for humanity--before we begin to experience the societal pathologies that have plagued so many nations before us, and that plague so many cultures on the earth today? Where are children being taught that they have a dark component of their personalities--a "sinful nature"--that must be overcome by the grace and power of their Creator? How many of these children are being taught rather that they should feel good about themselves--have high "self-esteem" --despite the fact that they can be selfish, lazy, or downright mean at times? How much innate human pathology can be dealt with "nicely"? What is going to constrain the innate pathology so obvious in history and in daily life if not a personal, freely chosen devotion to the God Who created us all, loves us all, and commands us to love each other, even our enemies? [Matthew 5:44].
I fear for America because of the secular slide--more like an avalanche--into struggling for rights and ignoring responsibilities; pursuit of more and more pleasure and comfort; feeling entitled to being served and catered to by the State; or simply vegetating in the hypnotic captivity of entertainment, media and technology--man-made things that obliterate the beauty of nature and drown out the quietness of soul so necessary for enlightenment and life-enhancing human interactions. I pray for ongoing awakening. I hope we don't have to suffer too much before it happens.
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