Christine Smith's Blog

Synergy – Behind every good man… A look at John and Abigail Adams

“Behind every good man is a good woman,” a saying which can just as easily be reversed. Not to say, there aren’t good men and women who are single, of course, but the truth remains, having a solid beautiful relationship with one whose core values you share strengthens, encourages, and helps one to remain on the correct path whatever struggles and mistakes may be made. What a blessing to have another who, in their love, for you will help you, encourage you, and share a perspective with you perhaps no other could or will. Such was the case with John and Abigail Adams.

Our society has many more prominent men of note historically who are recognized as having significant impact upon this nation than it does woman. Some of that, certainly, is due to tradition and the society at the time, but these men did courageously advance this nation by establishing its founding principles, and for me, it is always good to learn of a man who achieved much good who was accompanied by a too extraordinary female.

This is why I’ve been most pleased to learn in the past couple years so much more about John and Abigail Adams, reading and viewing documentaries, film, and their writings, etc.

And, today, I want to recommend the PBS series “American Experience” episode “John & Abigail Adams: American Experience” which I just viewed a few nights ago.

A superb two hours, based heavily upon the correspondence between the two, expressing just what an extraordinary female to John Adams Abigail was. If ever there was a couple evincing the phrase “Behind every good man…” they are. And for a time when females weren’t looked to for political input, hers was astute.

John Adams alone would be a good man, but with his wife Abigail, he soared despite enduring much troubles (including his own personal weaknesses of character demonstrated in personality, actions, and his own self-doubt and other feelings of inadequacy) into achieving for us, as a nation, greatness from which all benefited. The strength his work required was buttressed by the love of his wife. Her strength helped his…and vice-versa.

That, to me, is the beauty of relationship. To help bring out the best in another, to encourage their talents and abilities, to focus on what they can do and the good of who they are…so that they, in their free will and conscious choice, can become all and accomplish all they set their sights upon. Teaching and learning from one another simultaneously – creating a synergy for themselves and consequently blessings others beyond what the two could do separately is a magnificent manifestation of what it means for the two to become one. Even in trying to achieve liberty, whatever the immediate appearances of the state of things, in the trying I believe much good is happening.

Male and female strengths and abilities differ…discernment, strategy, awareness, and so much more are different in us. To come together, in love, for a purpose is stronger than what one can do alone. This truth is demonstrated both in couples like the Adams, as well as friends and family. We as men and women are different, and we need and benefit from each other.

Even if you’re familiar with their letters, and the history, and may have viewed other films regarding his work and their marriage, I recommend this 2-hour PBS episode – it was done very well! Informative!
So, I recommend this film about this remarkable couple to you. Here is its Amazon page, John & Abigail Adams: American Experience.

(p.s. I also invite you to read a blog piece I wrote Jan. 28, 2009 about John Adams and the 7-part HBO miniseries which was another excellent story of them.)

PEACE

I deeply appreciate this quote from St. Austin. It makes me all the more seek development love of all and God and what that entails in humility, giving, and zeal for being apart of furthering what is right and true. It is the peace I want to maintain and develop no matter the circumstances in life. When it is not present, I become aware it is because I have mistakenly strayed from trust and faith and thus loving actions.

“Peace is the serenity of the soul, the tranquillity of the mind, the simplicity of the heart, the bond of love, and the union of charity.” – St. Austin (from The Manual of The Holy Catholic Church – Embracing Light from the Altar, James J. McGovern, D.D. (Copr. 1906 by James J. McGovern, Copr. 1920 by Joseph R. Gay)

Film Recommendation “Five Minutes of Heaven,” and Thoughts on Righteous Indignation vs. Anger

Last night I viewed the film “Five Minutes of Heaven,” a powerful story of mistakes, immaturity and maturation, anger, vengeance, and forgiveness. Developed from the true event of the 1975 killing of Jim Griffin by Alistair Little in Northern Ireland, the story revolves around the fictionalized what-if of the killer meeting the witness (the brother of the deceased who was 11 at the time of the shooting) 33 years later.

The sadness and tragedy of the violent unrest between Catholic and Protestant in Northern Ireland is communicated well through this  incident, with its years of affect between those involved becoming the fictional continuation.

I found this well-made film and the fictional story which evolved from that tragedy to be thought provoking and engaging. I recommend it. Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt do a fine job.

The film illustrated well the peril and misery of accepting anger as justified, which in my opinion, always leads to more misery, harm, and sadness.

Again, I highly recommend the film “Five Minutes of heaven,” – it is a most interesting story and character study.  (Link to its Amazon page)

On a personal note, I distinguish between righteous indignation (and thus a devotion and commitment to justice or as close to justice as is humanly possible, which at times may never occur in certain human situations) and anger (which is allowing oneself to be controlled by emotionalism). I believe anger is never justified, as it is a feeling from the emotion of fear and leads to serious mistakes of conduct and behavior which though may seem justified at the time, can later in more rational and ethical examination, be seen for the mistake it was. Righteous indignation, on the other hand, is that intense call to action to stop an evil and to in whatever capacity we have to bring light into an area of darkness, to alleviate suffering, to expose what is wrong or corrupt, and to put a stop to it. It does not entail resorting to evil to fight evil because it is based in the strength of love.

Fear brings anger, hatred, and attack and rationalization of attack; love brings a strength to realize that revenge is never the answer regardless of the provocation. In fact, I believe those motivated and inspired from a spiritual basis of love are far more effective at achieving whatever justice is humanly possible than those who succumb to the baser feelings.

Allowing anger within leads us to the wild uncontrolled imaginations of our mind, but allowing love to make our decisions leads us to see what justice (if any) can be found without becoming that which we say we reject. Therein lies the difference between self-defense, for example, and offensive violence…or between stopping a person from harming another again and revenge which seeks to punish rather than halt more evil behavior. Evil does not justify evil.

Neither does relinquishing anger mean one must try to reconcile with the one who has wronged another, it simply means one does not seek to exact punishment, but when needed seeks only to prevent oneself or another from being harmed by the other again.

Resolution within and its inner peace is obtained when one relinquishes the feeling of revenge, which brings me to recommend a previous article I wrote addressing that common question of whether the end ever justifies the means?

In the many issues facing society, a common rationalization for committing wrong, immoral, unjust or unethical acts is that if the greater good is served the relative harm necessary to gain such a supposed good is justified. In essence, people say doing bad can result in good, thus they assert bad becomes good. This has become commonly accepted in politics (as well as within people’s personal and business lives).

Consider issues such as immigration, taxation, abortion, capital punishment, torture, and the use of military force. All present a multitude of possible scenarios and situations in which the use of force is argued or disputed. Must we, then, live our lives in a state of flux, constantly having to analyze each and every situation to determine what is ethical? Are there times when commission of a wrong act is the best choice because the result may be better for the majority? Is morality relative? Can an immoral or unethical act sometimes be the right thing to do if the outcome is deemed favorable?

I believe the final result of an action cannot and must not be the determiner of right or wrong, and I explore this point in my previous blog article “The End Does Not Justify The Means” which I invite you to read. 

Getting Your “Fair Share”?

Charity begins where?

Many of us have heard that charity begins in the heart. From a conscious choice within to express goodwill toward another, an individual then lets that decision to be charitable be implemented with the tool of their mind. Action follows.

This, of course, can occur from individual to individual, individual to a group or cause, or from like minded individuals joining together to express charity toward others. It’s always a free will choice to give one’s time, talents, possessions or money to assist another who has need of something you possess.

Contrast that with the rarely challenged and highly government propagandized notion that to be charitable is synonymous with government taking your money (taxes) and distributing it to people who they say need it more than you. To accept this is to 1. Agree that the money you earn isn’t yours at all, but that your work and its income belongs to the collective, a collective to which you have an obligation – enforced by the threat of fines and/or incarceration. 2. Agree that you are incompetent to determine for yourself if and to whom is worthy for you to give your resources to.

I seriously doubt too many people would voice agreement to either point one or two. And, yet, many of these same people will actually defend and support the multitude of government programs, which they pay heavily for, simply because it’s got a good sounding ring to it. But government programs are as far away from true charity as it comes. They are, in my opinion, based on threat, exploitation, greed, power, and control – the antithesis of true charity, even hurting the very ones they proclaim to care for. Add to this that if a private charity operated with the bureaucratic waste and unaccountability that government often does, it being exposed, wouldn’t last for long since few people want to throw away their money to enrich another who simply claims the money is going toward a good cause – most of us want to know the money we give goes predominantly to the cause.

Your fair share

 A few weeks ago, I received a letter (“Presorted First-class postage & fees paid”) which I assumed was the census, but upon its opening, I found it was yet another piece of federal government propaganda notifying me that I would soon be receiving the census and instructing me to “mail it in promptly” because my response was ‘important” so my “community” would get its “fair share” since that “fair share” includes “government funds for highways, schools, health facilities, and many other programs you and your neighbors need.”

Postage was spent to send a preliminary letter letting me know to be ready for the census.

The U.S. Census Bureau has undertaken one of the largest propaganda machines I’ve seen with their “Road Tour” whose intent is “to motivate America’s growing and increasingly diverse population” to mail the census back by appearing at “local parades and festivals to major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four”, TV and radio ads, a census sponsored race car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, and PSAs, saying on their website that “The advertising campaign represents the most extensive and diverse outreach campaign in U.S. history, with advertisements appearing in 28 languages,” and that “For every percentage point increase in the 2010 Census mail-back participation rate, the Census Bureau saves about $85 million in follow-up costs with households that failed to return their forms.”

Yet somehow I don’t believe “costs” are much of a concern- what with all their personal visits of census workers, even sometimes to deliver the census rather than sending it by mail. And most importantly, the census has become something far beyond a simple headcount as called for in the Constitution.

Fact is, I “need” nor want none of what the federal government wants me to excitedly and eagerly take from other people, I need only to be left alone with my full share which is everything I earn, to give or keep as I so choose. I’m one who investigates charitable causes, examining their overhead costs with their actual charitable work, and am selective in who and what I support based on my values. I have to trust an organization before I give. I “share” my resources with those I choose to help. The federal government fails to meet my requirements as a trusted entity, and unlike any other organization which must earn a contributor’s trust – it doesn’t ask for money, it demands and takes it by force.

The whole idea of getting a “fair share” is repulsive and despicable because it condones the immoral government sanctioned/imposed socialism and the legalized theft it relies upon. None are of are owed anything from our fellow countrymen, and yet our nation has devolved into acceptance of all manner of taxpayer funded “entitlements” as a way of life.

People wouldn’t be fighting over getting back those dollars if it weren’t taken from them to begin with. Government gives us nothing because it creates nothing – it merely takes what we earn and says they in government know better than we how to spend our earnings.

All I want is for the money the federal government has taken to be given back to the individuals from which it came. Not returned through a “program” but as real money to individuals whose money was forcibly taken from them. All I “need” is to be able to keep all I earn to do with as I please – including providing for my own retirement as well as health insurance free from all government intrusion. What I also need is a state government who will step up and refuse to be subservient to the federal government’s regulations and stipulations which take away the rights and liberties of their citizens; a state government that places individual liberty above any collective want.

The lion’s share

And, with tax time upon us, I marvel sadly at the pathetic people who appear to happily compliment the government for all its help provided taxpayers in getting their taxes paid on time. They speak as if they’d be grateful if, in being robbed, the robber kindly offered to assist them by opening their wallet for them.

Even many of those citizens who complain about doing their taxes will defend that very tyranny when they encounter the libertarian idea of ending the income tax.

Obviously, government propaganda has worked enormously well; decades of indoctrination has made a people forget the origins of this country and the principles upon which it was founded.

Instead of challenging the wasteful, immoral, evil, and certainly unconstitutional ways the money taken from them is used for, many instead concern themselves with getting the so called “fair share” for their state and community from the federal government, while the monstrous federal government smugly takes the lion’s share for itself.

The only source of charity

Many seek to feel good without choosing to do good. There’s a big difference between abiding or complying with what you’re legally forced to do in this society, and making a conscience decision to take a particular action, of your own free will, to benefit another. Without choice, there is no virtue. There is nothing particularly virtuous, and certainly nothing charitable, in simply obeying the laws.

True charity is a voluntary giving, it comes not from the actions you are forced to comply with (whether you agree with them or not). It neither begins nor can ever come from any government agency or program because the funding was taken forcibly thereby eliminating all free choice to love or not. The only “share” you’re ethically entitled to is that which you earn or that which is voluntarily given you.

I began this blog with a question: Charity begins where?

The answer is, of course, in your heart. Some say “at home.” Same thing. It begins with the free will choice of an individual to help another. It is void of all coercion. In fact, it’s such a strong force it comes to the rescue of all people and all causes, often with relief, provision, and even abundance. There is no scarcity, only a government which manipulates with fear (including the fear of scarcity) to deceive the people into accepting they need government to provide “charity” for their every need.

Despite the fact so much of our money is taken from us by government, we’re still a most generous, compassionate charitable nation. Even when the effects of government intrusion into our economic lives is at its worst, with the repercussions being suffered nationwide, we’re still a charitable people. We give to our friends and family in times of their need, to our favorite charities, our churches, and even to worldwide relief in times of disaster. We open our hearts first, then our wallets. And when we’re on the receiving end, be it someone volunteering their time or a tangible item or a monetary gift to help us, we experience gratitude because we realize that person or organization didn’t have to help – they weren’t forced to help – they helped because they wanted to.

That being the case, just think what we could do to help others if we were able to keep the money currently taken from us by government – if we kept all or most of what we earned. Imagine the increase in contributions for every cause you care about. The homeless and the ill…the struggling, hurting, alone or hungry…to the arts and education and environment…no matter the cause, there’d be no more talk of trying to get back a “fair share” from the federal government because the money would have been kept with those who earned it. Those who choose to give could give so much more from their earnings, resulting in no artificial limit – because there’s no limit to the capacity to love within the human heart – the only source of charity.

“The End Does Not Justify The Means” in The Newjurist International Law Magazine

The Newjurist International Law Magazine has published my article “The End Does Not Justify The Means.”

Photos – Christmas morning, 2009, with my father.

I am grateful for…

Just returned from an early morning hike through the snow – brisk and cool – a great way to begin the day! Stopped at the partially frozen creek, surrounded by tall slender aspen, and listened to the water music. The blue spruce across the way towered above me. I am grateful for so much, and so now, this Monday morning, as Thanksgiving is approaching this week, I’ll share a few thoughts on it.

Thanksgiving has always been a meaningful day, as it focuses upon the virtue of expressing gratitude. This makes Thanksgiving a day of action, not passivity, in both heart and deed…a way to live throughout the year. 

Every experience in life, and every individual we encounter, holds opportunity for truth to be taught and learned.

Whatever one is grateful for requires supporting actions showing it, protecting it, and restoring it. One shows they treasure and are grateful for something by their actions, not just their words. To be grateful is more than a feeling, it’s a way to live one’s life.

At its heart, Thanksgiving is a day of lessons learned (and continuing to be learned). Its beginnings, which we celebrate, are a testament to liberty and its bountiful rewards. (Indeed, the festivities of today are a celebration of the fruits reaped when the philosophy of libertarianism is sown. For more on this, visit my 2008 Thanksgiving piece and its links regarding William Bradford and the lesson learned of free enterprise by those early settlers- the true story which should also be taught children and everyone this time of year.)

Twenty four years ago I moved to Colorado, with my first day here being Thanksgiving Day 1985. Fortunately, some caring neighbors helped make that day festive by sharing their Thanksgiving fixings, as I was not prepared to be cooking such a meal in a kitchen yet to be filled with accessories and groceries. I remember that first day well, there was an enormous snowfall, and extreme record breaking cold temperatures. The neighbor’s hospitality was most welcome!

Now, every day, I step out onto the deck of my mountain chalet, look at the sky, the forest, the mountains, and think to myself, “This is the day which the Lord hath made…,” I “…will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24-KJV)

My life is filled with blessings, joy, and miracles…a few of which I share here: 

I am grateful for… 

the gift of each day.

my beloved father.

all my Gentle Beings throughout my life.

all my animal companions throughout my life.

the few, but precious, friendships in my life.

the natural world,

the abundance of the Earth, and its creatures.

being able to make my living doing something I love.

friends who give me the gift of trust – needing a listening caring heart – turning to me in times of distress – or seeking my advice or opinion to consider.

those whom have been patient and forgiving with me.

friends who inspire and encourage me through their passion for liberty – their uncompromising devotion, dedication and hard work.

favorite authors.

those who create art I appreciate – in music, painting, prose, film, or sculpture.

the scientific, mechanical and technological inventions and discoveries the mind of man has made.

those with integrity.

the kindness of strangers.

to live in the United States, a most unique and wonderful nation because it was founded on liberty.

our nation’s founders who recognized the rights of the individual are not bestowed by any man or government but are inherent at birth, God-given.

past associations with those whom I helped and those who helped me.

every opportunity given in which I was able to be a blessing in someone else’s life.

my parish, beautiful, built over 100 years ago, and those who make it home to the parish family.

my parish priest and his knowledge, wisdom, gentleness, understanding, and ability to teach God’s truth.

Mother Mary continually listening and teaching me to rest in God’s providence free from worry or anxiety.

God – His love – His patience and forgiveness.

In conclusion (and elaborating a bit on the above):

I have been abundantly blessed in life. I have a fine home, good food, and abundant provision of necessities as well as creature comforts such as all the things I use and enjoy each day which make life easier, comfortable and cozy… from warm fuzzy slippers- a cup of tea- a hot bubble bath–the glistening snow in bright sunshine- a quiet moonlit night- a classical music cd playing on the stereo- to so many more things which delight my senses in their goodness, beauty and simplicity.

I am grateful for my health – my ability to move freely, to go where I choose from travel, hiking, fitness, to just playing, swirling and dancing, to have the sense of smell to enjoy the delightful array of aromas and fragrances from wildflowers to delicious meals, to have eyes to see the beauty all around me and which give me the ability to read, to have the sense of hearing to hear the voices of those I love, to appreciate beautiful music, to learn from others, and to hear the sounds of all the earth from bird songs to the wind, to have the sense of touch so that the softness of a petal can be felt-the warmth of the sun upon my face and the coolness of a raindrop-to have a voice to share, question and sing, the ability to taste the many delicious flavors from savory to sweet, for all the abilities and senses health gives me.

I am grateful I learned early the value of being true to myself, strong, and independent, following my heart where it leads. I focus on developing myself emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually, developing who I am to the fullest so that I am a whole person capable of joyfully sharing with others, and strong to pursue the path of dreams and ideas God gives me. For this realization, I thank my father who raised me to be strong, to pursue whatever I felt was right and would make me happy.

I am grateful to God, the source of all these blessings.

And I reiterate the beginning of this piece: Whatever one is grateful for requires actions showing it, protecting it, and restoring it. Think about those things you are grateful for and live your life in actions to show you treasure them.

Regarding the Humanae Vitae teachings

Faith is integral to the way I live my life in every area.  Amazingly to me, I now feel a deep understanding inside (beyond mere mental understanding) of matters which perplexed or confused me before.

I can give you a direct example of where my eyes have been opened. It is in my understanding of the Humanae Vitae teachings found in the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI in 1968.

Although all my life I have always regarded life as beginning at conception, I couldn’t understand how (artificial) contraception would contradict God’s will. It seems so apparent to me now. But for much of my life, I couldn’t grasp it.

Though I don’t have to consider contraception now since I am single (and believe sex to be a sacrament reserved for marriage), it’s still a matter I’ve given thought to understand. Now, I see it as directly a matter of trusting God. Just as I trust God to provide for me in life, so I would not exclude His will from a matter as sacred as to determine whether or when a new life should be brought forth. Likewise, very importantly and completely interrelated to that, I would want to keep nothing (not even temporarily) of myself artificially from my husband.

Unlike many other females, I don’t spend any time thinking about my “biological clock”; I simply trust and gratefully accept that which naturally happens in my life as God’s will for me. Whether I have a child, or if I never do, is in God’s hands, it’s not a matter I will try to artificially control one way or the other. If I were to marry, I would trust God’s omnipotence and omniscience to determine whether I would become pregnant or not. The blessing of being entrusted with giving birth to the child of the man God would have given me would be a great honor and responsibility – I trust God to determine whether that experience is meant for me or not. God would know what is right for us. Whoever I would be and the man would be when brought together in matrimony, (paraphrasing what the wedding vows say whether we’ve come together in sickness, health, prosperity, difficulties, fertility or not, or any other life circumstance), we would come under God’s hands and intentions to love one another as we are and to help each other grow. My focus in marriage would be caring for and being a helpmate to the man in the authentic love God would have him receive.

I’m busy and happy living my life, doing the work God has put before me and blessed me with. I trust God’s guidance and His timing if such a relationship were ever to happen. If it did, I would want nothing to come between myself and the man God would have given me and given me to, for marriage is “by appointment of Jesus Christ, a sacred sign and symbol of his indissoluble union with his Church…” (The Manual of The Holy Catholic Church,  Rev. James J. McGovern, D.D., “The Sacred Bonds of Matrimony”).

Sex, as physically pleasurable and enjoyable as it is, is a gift meant to emanate from a spiritual union of two individuals. It represents God’s spiritual union with us. It is a sacred communication, joining, and sharing…a physical expression of the joyful spiritual union of two individuals giving themselves first to God, then to one another. It’s beautiful. Sexual desire is natural.  Its sharing with another individual is a gift from God for both. As such, I believe sexual union to be only for marriage.

I find this Scripture beautiful: “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.” (Mark 10: 6-8, KJV)

Trusting God, and the teachings of His will which He has entrusted and given us through The Holy Catholic Church, takes devotion, humility, strength, courage and steadfastness; it requires forsaking mere intellectual arguments that exclude the reality of a spiritual life; it means putting total faith, trust, and love of God in one’s heart and then following your heart (and asking for guidance from God when questions or temptations arise) realizing that “Temptation is necessary to us to make us realise that we are nothing in ourselves.” – The Cure D’Ars – St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, sermon “We Are Nothing In Ourselves.”

Let us, as Catholics, trust God in all matters – without compromise.  Let’s not look to ourselves to try and figure out what is right; let us trust in His will in every area of our life as we“…walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)

Issues of Life: This Catholic’s spiritual & libertarian perspective

All my life I have meditated upon the sanctity of life and reverence for all life.

But only in the last year and a half, as my devotion to seeking understanding in my Catholic faith has become paramount in my life, have I felt an inner understanding as never before regarding certain issues.

In years past I wavered, torn between trying to use my mind to logically analyze matters and a deep heart sense of what I felt was truly spiritually and morally correct. Any discrepancy between what I felt deep down or believed true in years before (and have come to believe or return to again) and what I had sometimes expressed or condoned came to pain me. I allowed a wondering about certain beliefs to cause me to wander away. I’ve always been sincere, but as I look back, sometimes sincerely wrong.

Such is the weakness of letting only one’s mind and intellect guide them, rather than letting their heart and its devotion to God lead and then using one’s mind to implement the divine guidance provided. Reconciliation/confession, prayer, and sharing through my writing and personal conversations of what I realize spiritually has brought peace from that pain.

libertarianism

Since reading those such as Frederic Bastiat and Leonard Read, my understanding of freedom, liberty, and my personal faith has been clarified. It’s entirely consistent to practice or abstain from something yourself and not try to impose it upon others through the force of government.

Respecting the freedom of every individual to make personal choices, free from government coercion, allows all to reap the consequences (whether negative or positive), leading to personal responsibility which is an essential part of liberty.

In my opinion, the majority of politicians (regardless of political party affiliation) have no such respect for the freedom of the American people. Thus, government gets larger, more powerful, and uses its force to make laws resulting in more government intrusion into our lives. Rather than focusing on their job of upholding the U.S. Constitution, they meddle into people’s private lives, poking their heads into bedrooms, deciding what people can or cannot ingest, what we can or cannot see, and deciding who can “legally” take our private property. They behave as if they are the epitome of righteousness with the right to judge, condemn, and define for us what is moral or immoral, healthy or unhealthy, productive or non-productive, and thus what should be legal or illegal.

If one in or seeking public office feels they cannot uphold loyalty to the U.S. Constitution (or state constitution depending upon the office) because of religious beliefs, they should have the integrity not to seek elected office. As for me, my spiritual and religious beliefs govern my behavior, not the behavior of others. I respect the freedom for others to live as they choose as long as they harm no other. I would see no contradiction between my personal beliefs and my upholding of the Constitution.

Respecting Free Will

The legitimate use of law is for recourse when an injury has been caused to another. But as we know, many laws wrongly criminalize personal behavior.

Just as you would not want those with differing beliefs to force you to accept their values, you cannot condone the government forcing the beliefs you have upon others.

Personal behavior choices, social issues, and research are not a legitimate business of the federal government to determine what is permissible, discriminate against (or for), legislate, punish, or fund with taxpayer money.

Issues not within the Constitutional realm of the federal government (and very few are) should be left to the individual states. Can you imagine a nation where states were free from the many federal mandates/restrictions they now abide by? We could have a nation of states with their own distinct “personalities,” each operating primarily as its own sovereign power under their state constitutions yet as a state of The United States, where citizens of like-mindedness could vote, keeping many decisions closer to the people as they should be.

As a Christian, I share my beliefs with others and I willingly give to causes, charities and people I want to help, but I part company with many Christians because I do not want the government involved in legislating morality nor using taxpayer money for welfare, and I oppose the federal government stepping beyond its enumerated powers to dictate what states may do.

Sex & The Humanae Vitae teachings

As a Catholic, I seek to live in God’s will for my life. I want to learn and grow in faith; my devoutness comes from adhering to the teachings of the Church and is strengthened in prayer. My faith is integral to the way I live my life in every area.

Amazingly to me, I now feel a deep understanding inside (beyond mere mental understanding) of matters which perplexed or confused me before.

I can give you a direct example of where my eyes have been opened. It is in my understanding of the Humanae Vitae teachings found in the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI in 1968.

Although all my life I have always regarded life as beginning at conception, I couldn’t understand how (artificial) contraception would contradict God’s will. It seems so apparent to me now. But for much of my life, I couldn’t grasp it.

Though I don’t have to consider contraception now since I am single (and believe sex to be a sacrament reserved for marriage), it’s still a matter I’ve given thought to understand. Now, I see it as directly a matter of trusting God. Just as I trust God to provide for me in life, so I would not exclude His will from a matter as sacred as to determine whether or when a new life should be brought forth. Likewise, very importantly and completely interrelated to that, I would want to keep nothing (not even temporarily) of myself artificially from my husband.

Unlike many of my friends and associates, I’ve never felt an urge to have a child as if it it were a necessity to my life, but always felt that if it’s meant to be, it would occur in a marriage to a wonderful man. The idea of having a child has always been inextricably linked to a deep desire to love a man whom I would respect, admire, cherish and help in every way I could…only within the idea of the prerequisite of being in such a relationship have I ever been able to imagine the possibility of having a child.

With that, has always come a knowing I would respect what the man finally chose in all matters of importance, not my own will. I am first subject to God, and secondly would be subject to the man whom I loved and married since he would also be one who puts God’s will first, and as such I would have a trust in his judgment above mine.

Unlike many other females, I don’t spend any time thinking about my “biological clock”; I simply trust and gratefully accept that which naturally happens in my life as God’s will for me. Whether I have a child, or if I never do, is in God’s hands, it’s not a matter I will try to artificially control one way or the other. If I were to marry, I would trust God’s omnipotence and omniscience to determine whether I would become pregnant or not. The blessing of being entrusted with giving birth to the child of the man God would have given me would be a great honor and responsibility – I trust God to determine whether that experience is meant for me or not. God would know what is right for us. Whoever I would be and the man would be when brought together in matrimony, (paraphrasing what the wedding vows say whether we’ve come together in sickness, health, prosperity, difficulties, fertility or not, or any other life circumstance), we would come under God’s hands and intentions to love one another as we are and to help each other grow.

My focus in marriage would be caring for and being a helpmate to the man in the authentic love God would have him receive.

Not Lonely, Though Alone

I am not lonely, but alone (in regards to the marriage sacrament and its unique blessings); I rest peacefully that if it ever be God’s will for a man who puts God first who would benefit from my companionship, and I from his, in serving God together, it would happen naturally, (probably) mysteriously and wondrously since I certainly am not someone who tries to meet others to date.

I’m busy and happy living my life, doing the work God has put before me and blessed me with. I trust God’s guidance and His timing if such a relationship were ever to happen. And if it did occur, I would want nothing to come between myself and the man God would have given me and given me to, for marriage is “by appointment of Jesus Christ, a sacred sign and symbol of his indissoluble union with his Church…” (The Manual of The Holy Catholic Church,  Rev. James J. McGovern, D.D., “The Sacred Bonds of Matrimony”).

Sex, as physically pleasurable and enjoyable as it is, is a gift meant to emanate from a spiritual union of two individuals. It represents God’s spiritual union with us. It is a sacred communication, joining, and sharing…a physical expression of the joyful spiritual union of two individuals giving themselves first to God, then to one another. It’s beautiful. Sexual desire is natural.  Its sharing with another individual is a gift from God for both. As such, I personally believe sexual union to be only for marriage.

I find this Scripture beautiful: “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.” (Mark 10: 6-8, KJV)

In Conclusion: Share What You Believe

A number of those I know are perplexed by my perception and personal choices when they discuss such matters with me. They speak from what they accept (what they consider a practical, pragmatic worldly approach) to life, but I have chosen (and that choice of faith has been strengthened continually inside my heart and in life) to “…walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)

Similarly, some of religious faith are also perplexed by my perception because they do not draw the line between their moral choices and respecting the the fundamental right of others to choose differently.

But the more I’ve shared of my faith, in addition to sharing my libertarian political stances, the more I’ve found there are those of us out there who adhere to both a religious faith and are simultaneously devoted to freedom and liberty. We may not be as rare as it sometimes seems. Perhaps all that is needed is for more of those who do live this way to make it known occasionally, so that others don’t automatically only associate Christians with those often vocal ones who have an inability to respect the freedom of people to live their lives as they choose.

For example, recently I had a happy experience of meeting someone at a political gathering who reached out and motioned toward my necklace (The Miraculous Medal which I always wear) while asking me if I were Catholic. When I replied yes, the lady was most insistent that we speak together before we left. We did: regarding our faith, our parishes, ministries we participated in, and what experiences we each had regarding sharing our liberty views with fellow believers and vice versa. Turned out she was a state representative. It was a most enjoyable sharing!

I think it’s important those with spiritual and religious basis for their life, who are libertarian, let others know; for that in itself can dispel many false assumptions among believers and non-believers.

As for one’s personal spiritual and religious choices – It takes courage and steadfastness; it requires forsaking mere intellectual arguments that exclude the reality of a spiritual life; it means putting total faith, trust, and love of God in one’s heart and then following your heart (and asking for guidance from God when questions or temptations arise) realizing that “Temptation is necessary to us to make us realise that we are nothing in ourselves.” – The Cure D’Ars – St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, sermon “We Are Nothing In Ourselves.”

The Virtue of Hope

“Hope” is a word frequently used in today’s society, but rather than using it in a spiritual sense, it is frequently cited in a secular sense and in relation to either a person, organization, or scientific discovery. Rarely does common usage find “hope” used in its true spiritual sense – in relation to God.

Hope is a virtue from God in which our desire for something is combined with an anticipation of receiving it due to our faith. It pertains to attainment of things in a manner which may even defy the pragmatic and rational path to obtainment assumed necessary in the world of man. Rather than relying on the mind, it taps into our soul’s knowing and its trust in Divine Order versus what only our eyes can see.

The Ascension of Jesus is most helpful to meditate upon (the Second Glorious Mystery) as it teaches hope and confirms it as no other event can ever come close to.

Hope emanates from true confession and receipt of God’s loving grace. Hope exist only in acceptance and joy in living the will of God.

One can “hope” when one believes that good (sometimes beyond our human comprehension and understanding) is coming to them, regardless of circumstances and appearances, because they are in God’s child.

Hope within the soul manifests in bold and courageous actions of faith, and inner peace. It occurs when one realizes your future is not dependent on the society around you.

Put not your hope in man, but in God (who may work through man), for He is the source of all good in our life. When darkness surrounds, the light is shown to you through prayer and supplication. Even as you see no apparent escape from the difficulties surrounding you, hope within your soul permits you to evince the strength you need for yourself and as a witness to others. In the decision to trust God is true hope. Putting hope in the societal enterprises the mind of man devises inevitably can lead to disappointment, pain, despair, and inevitably “hopelessness” because hope was placed into the (often) untrustworthiness of fellow human beings.

Hope is a virtue of our trust in God and his purpose for our life.

The Qualities of a Good Man

I recently came across the prose linked below and thought it was so sweet and so true.

I shared it with a friend of mine who told me her husband told her when they married, that she should never love him more than she loved God, that she should love her husband as #2, and God #1. I thought that was so wonderful. And, of course, that shows a man who will endeavor to put God and His will first in life.

The idea of a man who would respect a female, care about who she really is, and as the prose beautifully says, would encourage her in her walk of faith and most importantly a man who loves God first (more than his love for you) is the only kind of man a female who loves and trusts God would ever want in her life. It is why I choose to never compromise, even in the early stages of knowing someone, with ever beginning to think I could trust someone who doesn’t share the principles and beliefs which come from the spiritual faith and religion I have and practice. Integrity, a focus on truth, choosing to endeavor to live a life which is spiritually based upon God’s love and will…I value.

The qualities of a good man come from a strong faith…A good man is one who loves God and does his best to live every aspect of life according to the will of God and seeks to know His will.

I am very happy in my life, and am not someone who would ever “look” for anyone…but if God’s will is ever that a man enter my life whom I would join in the sacrament of marriage, I have a feeling this prose would describe him:

“Wait For The Man” by Adrienne Sadosky (published at the Pittsburgh Standard).

The Mistake of Compromise

Compromise has become the way of life for the majority of people.  From support of political candidates, parties and politicos to such personal aspects of life as dating and evaluating potential marriage partners, many people accept compromise of the values and positions they otherwise espouse and desire if adherence to said values might mean having to reject an association which promises immediate advantage.  And, often, even that “promise” of happiness or achievement of some goal will never be realized due to the very nature of the compromise. 

When I see someone make a conscious choice to violate one of their fundamental important principles in life, I lose much respect for them.  Realizing what is right, yet choosing to compromise anyway, betrays oneself (and others in the process). It is something I view as a deep emotional weakness caused by a lack of or an underdeveloped spiritual basis for one’s life.  Rather than choosing to be courageous in faith, one opts to analyze with their mind (prone to doubts, rationalization and confusion) matters which should remain with their heart or conscious.  In matters of principle, the mind should be a tool to implement what is within the heart.

Choosing compromise, one sells themselves short, and in doing so will hurt others (including not only those they involve themselves with in such a relationship, but often unknowingly they even hurt others who care about them).

All my life I’ve endeavored to remain true to the things I chose to believe.  To have my actions match my words is an instrumental part of who I am.  Thus, when it comes to my spiritual beliefs (which affect every other choice in my life from personal to the political), I will not compromise.

Recently, I’ve had several associations with others in which devotion to standing by my values has resulted in disillusionment, some hurt, and certainly the pain of disappointment.  I tend to attribute (call it giving another the benefit of doubt) more values to another who is voicing the same values as my own in the beginning…but fortunately, I also know the important necessity of giving all new associations with others the time to find out who they really are. 

To even begin to entertain the idea that one can closely be involved with another who does not believe as you do in matters of strength of character (even if they are a relatively good person) sets one up for disappointment to say the least, if not heartache or hurt to the degree one begin to think it may be possible.

In giving all new friendships plenty of time and experience to learn more fully about one another, fundamental differences can be discovered which preclude closer association. 

Those who choose not to compromise in important areas of their life must be strong to avoid joining closely with those who will compromise.  Recognizing such an emotional weakness in another is a warning sign that, under stress, that same person may be unfaithful to you in matters you have chosen to trust with them.
Love, like trust, (the two being inseparable actually) takes time.  Time reveals truth.  To jump into believing physical attraction, chemistry, and emotional comfort is “love” is dangerous.

The same applies to joining with organizations who state the cause you may believe in, but whose actions contradict it.  They may think compromise will achieve a desired outcome, but it will fail. 

Likewise,  jumping into believing some politico or candidate is libertarian because of some wonderfully expressed words you agree with is misguided and dangerous. 

Recently I’ve been in receipt of a number of inquiries asking my opinion of various people in the political spotlight who suddenly are voicing libertarian sounding words.  Without exception, each of the people I was asked about, were conservatives yet far from the core values of libertarianism.  Conservatives have long seen value in using the terminology of libertarian ideas and references to our founders and the U.S. Constitution and words such as freedom and liberty. This is nothing new, only particularly prevalent now since it taps into the current prevalent distrust of government. 

Conservatives are doing what serves them well: Saying the right words, while continuing to support anti-freedom legislation, laws and policies both domestically and abroad. Using libertarian terminology doesn’t make them libertarian, and neither does self-identifying with the libertarian label. 

To begin to think they are libertarian or enough so to warrant your support, without tangible proof and public reversal of previous anti-liberty positions on fundamental issues, is to compromise one’s own values in exchange for having some popular candidate or celebrity politico to identify with.  Every individual I was questioned about failed, in my view, even when considering just one issue – that of military interventionism, conquest, and empire building.  Their “fine” words about liberty and freedom mean nothing when they have no respect for the freedom of other sovereign nations nor respect for the principles upon which this nation was founded.

Fear of not having something one wants leads people to compromise.

Even good people, intelligent, ethical, high achievers, who are otherwise wise and with a well developed sense of right and wrong, can be tempted to compromise the values they hold due to a fear of not having or gaining something they desire.  They may rationalize it for awhile, but nonetheless behavior which dishonors the values deep within the heart, will have negative consequences in the long run. 

Fear of not achieving a political goal, for example, does not mean one should water it down to something “acceptable” to others who simply wish to achieve their political agenda with your support.  If you believe something should be abolished (as in unjust government programs), you shouldn’t settle for debating its reform.  You must devote the time to working toward achieving freedom not simply making tyranny more palatable.  Neither does one of principle settle for supporting one of the ‘lesser of two evils.’  And certainly, one’s political decisions and positions shouldn’t be governed by any power, gain, or advantage they might receive – yet this is how many choose what they support. Fear of having no candidate to support in a particular election, or fear that a good uncompromising liberty candidate can’t be elected, leads people to compromise and thereby become part of maintaining the problems. 

Likewise, when it comes to personal romantic relationships, one must never allow temporary gain (companionship, pleasure, etc.) to become more important than the deepest desires emanating from the core character values of honor, ethics, morality, and self-respect.  Yet, many who because of fear of being alone or perhaps fear of never being married, sadly settle for relationships with those of far less character, spiritual consciousness, and intellectual and emotional development than they.  Rather than adhere to their principles and beliefs about what constitutes a good, beautiful, fulfilling, wholesome loving relationship, they compromise in order to have something such as it is (losing faith that what is in their best good will come in time).  Some enter into such relationships because they want to have a home, a family, others look to the security a mate can provide, while others seek to have the natural desire for companionship fulfilled.  But none of those reasons justify compromise of one’s heart values.

Even in friendship, fear leads people to compromise.  Failing to express what is truthful (even if might result in disappointment in the other), often delaying or not saying at all things which should be frankly shared sooner rather than later, and avoidance of saying just what one feels or does not feel doesn’t build a friendship.  Once fear thoughts wedge into a friendship, honesty and openness end…artificial barriers are made, and the peace and happiness which otherwise could be shared if truth were honored and respected by all is not present.  One must be willing to risk loss of a relationship entirely by always adhering to truth and sharing honestly in order to gain and cultivate true friendships.  Kindness and tact have their place, but not at the expense of the truth.  True honest communication should never be compromised; if the recipient is incapable of receiving and appreciating it – so be it…there are those who will accept it, appreciate it, and cherish the blessing of the friendship offered. 

As a single woman, I’ve often met men who have tried unsuccessfully to impress me with what their money can buy, offering a lifestyle they think is conducive to achieving my favor, as if wealth would gain my affection.  And, I’ve had those who in the guise of altruism, attempt to enter my life for a stated political purpose (for example), but within weeks or months their true colors would show in terms of what they were really after.  Same with men who feigned the same religious beliefs, which within a short time it became so apparent they did not believe, even to the point of their ridicule of beliefs I do wholeheartedly accept.  And, as a previous political candidate, there were those who came offering substantial sums of monetary contributions if I would reverse myself on a stated issue. 

In their frustration in failing to obtain their agenda (whether it was personal or political) with me, some simply accepted it, while others, in their immaturity, became vindictive through slander and other means, with some even becoming vindictive toward others in the same cause simply because they knew they were in some way associated with me.

It is interesting to watch such people try repeatedly to get what they want, as they are so sure of (because of their previous successes) what their money, power, influence or personal traits can achieve.  With much confidence in their ability to manipulate outcomes, they ignore the very clear statement of principles I shared early on in their association with me (be it personal, spiritual, religious, ethical or political), and rather continue in their vain attempts.  I have laughed within that anyone would think such pathetic offers could cause me to compromise my principles – whether personally or politically.

I am only impressed by those who endeavor to live their lives in truth.  Mistakes, because we are human beings can be made, but at the core, a resolve to never compromise their beliefs and to correct mistakes when made, must be present.  Those of such integrity, rare as they are, inspire me.

Worthy goals, for yourself, as well as worthy goals for society, will never be achieved by compromise of your principles.  To join with anyone or any organization operating with a far different level of consciousness, understanding, and maturity than yourself is headed for heartache, strife, and pain. 

Looking to take or get anything else from another is a false premise to build a relationship upon. Often such compromise is achieved by lying to oneself, as if they are being altruistic and compassionate, when in actuality they are settling for something that is less than they desire and believe to be right.  Oftentimes, two people who both choose compromise come together to form relationships which are essentially based on a quid pro quo arrangement.  They call it “love,” though it is far from it.

Relationship, to be true, must be based on joyfully sharing because this other person is one whom you wish to be a part of helping them fulfill themselves and experience happiness.  It is based on shared fundamental important values.  Then all else becomes meaningful.

Without the courage found in a strong spiritual faith and trust, one’s mind begins to tell them that by accepting a certain compromise, one will gain or maintain whatever it is they desire – be it a relationship, money, prestige, career advancement, a political goal, etc.  Once compromise is allowed to enter, much behavior one would have otherwise rejected as wrong, becomes possible.

I live my life in faith.  If I’m asked my opinion of a topic or issue, I don’t evaluate whether to say something is “acceptable,” or whether it will gain approval, because doing so would compromise what I believe.  I believe speaking and working for the truth makes a tremendous difference, even if I cannot see it at the time. 

Similarly, if I find myself with an opportunity for a personal relationship with one who now (or recently) compromises important character values (whether seeking to do so with me or if I see that behavior recently with another), I reject it regardless of how attractive other aspects are.  If the other is capable and willing, I offer my friendship with a clear frank expression of its parameters. 

It is a mistake to think about having a close relationship with one whose beliefs and character in life is fundamentally different, for as the Bible, 2 Corinthians 6:14, says “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”  (KJV)

The yearning to join with another is natural to us.  But for true joy, it must a union between individuals of like character, morality, and beliefs. 

And, the yearning to join with others in common causes is also natural. 

But worthy goals, personally and politically, will only be achieved by the union of like-minded individuals who will not compromise their core principles.  There can be no union between an individual choosing “light,” as Corinthians says, with another individual or organization that chooses “darkness.” 

Identify your most important core values and principles upon which you have chosen to base your life.  Whenever an important life decision is to be made, evaluate and ponder each of those core values and principles as you consider what you will do.  Do not allow a want that is lesser than your fundamental principles to get your priorities out of order. 

Settling for less will not bring joy or fulfillment. 

Be strong.  Keep your faith and maintain your courage.  Good things you deeply desire do not come through shortcuts in which conscience is ignored (even if ever so briefly).  Good things manifest through a life of uncompromising principle, trusting that God will provide what you need.

Emily Dickinson

 Aside from the occasional exposure to a poem by Emily Dickinson I randomly came across in the past, I had not read much of her work – till now.

I am finding her poetry so good- such expression of so much I, too, feel and am experiencing.  I shall embark on reading much of Emily Dickinson now and obtaining one or more volumes, as I am finding her writing to express so much of my own experience at this time in my life. 

Some of her poems so accurately evoke feelings I’ve had over the past two years.  Some sweet and light, others contemplative and reminiscent of times I spent pondering a number of experiences – spiritual – relational – and of nature.  Some of her poems bring a smile and laugh, others a contentment, a knowing inside – conveying and reminding me of something I’ve acquired in experience, knowledge, and feeling that wasn’t there before…or not to to the degree realized now.

It is a rather amazing experience to find another’s writings so evocative of one’s own feelings and awareness. 

In addition to obtaining more of her work, I must learn more of Emily Dickinson’s life and shall, as the rapport is deep.

Enough words!  Poetry speaks for itself.

I share a few which particularly resonate:

“If I can stop one heart from breaking”

 “Farther in summer than the birds”

“The soul unto itself”

“No rack can torture me”

“Who never lost, are unprepared”

“Have you got a brook in your little heart”

“Going to him! Happy letter! Tell him”

“All circumstances are the frame”

“There came a day at summer’s full”

“How happy is the little stone”

When was the last “just war”?

Thus, I’ve read with interest the concept of a “just war,” which dates back to Cicero, including the Just War Theory or Doctrine found in my own faith of Catholicism.  It delineates, from a moral perspective, the reasons and means in which war can be fought in order to be considered just in the eyes of the Church, including as a prerequisite that all other viable alternatives have been attempted first, and that if war ensues that humane treatment of prisoners of war and others involved is maintained.

Everyone likes to think that the U.S. government has always been “just” and righteous in its use of force, but obviously it has violated such principles, terrorizing and killing civilian populations, as well as engaging in torture.  Regardless of what an “enemy” has done, such evil is never justified. The U.S. government is one of the worst offenders in its arrogant use of its might worldwide.  “Might” does not make “right,” but our government has misused its power for decades.

The result of waging unjust wars is never favorable.  For the goal of regime change (to a more favorable government toward U.S. agendas) many people die, hostility toward the U.S. heightens, and civil liberties in America are trampled. 

So, again, I consider the question what wars this government was involved in adhered to the principles of The Just War Doctrine, or were most conflicts avoidable?

As I consider the use of our military, I am unable to identify an instance offhand where 1. Other means besides warfare were really attempted.  2. It was declared with proper authority (in our case, by Congress) 2. Loss of civilian life and property were respected, with civilians not being indiscriminately harmed or killed.  3. There was (what I consider the only legitimate reason) a violent aggressor threatening the United States who had to be stopped. 

Former President Jimmy Carter addressed such issues in regards to the idea of a war against Iraq in his March 9, 2003 piece, “Just War — or a Just War?” in the New York Times.

The instances this government has engaged in war (at least in recent history I recall) have all been fought with all manner of “good causes” being cited often with loads of rhetoric about “defending our freedom” or “spreading democracy.”  But which military actions defended our freedom?  And as for “spreading democracy,” that is not a valid reason for war whether one considers the “just war” theory or the U.S. Constitution.  On the contrary, we could have been a nation at peace if peace had been our goal. Most of our conflicts have not been declared by Congress nor were they presidential responses to a “sudden attack.”

Peace has never been the goal of the U.S. government, and thus warfare continues.  Real motives are concealed and cloaked with a facade of all the “reasons” force must be used, and like obedient children, the American people have often passively accepted whatever is told them.

But what about WWII and the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor?  Though Americans were predominately against entering the war, Pearl Harbor of course changed that immediately.  

One of the best articles examining this is by Robert Higgs and published in the May 2006 issue of The Freeman magazine, “How U.S. Economic Warfare Provoked Japan’s Attack on Pearl Harbor.“  I recommend everyone read that informative piece, and for further research any number of books and discussions at the Independent Institutes’s Pearl Harbor Archive.

As Jacob G. Hornberger wrote of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his Dec. 1991 article, “December 7, 1941: The Infamy of FDR,” “Nevertheless, the man who did everything he could in the 1930s to destroy America’s legacy of economic liberty proceeded on a fateful — and illegal — course of action: waging undeclared war on Germany and Japan in an attempt to maneuver them into “Firing the first shot” — thereby justifying America’s formal entry into the war.”   Hornberger’s  article is a must read to clarify and illumine any American who still believes the myths about our entry into WWII that most of us have been taught. 

Regardless of how Americans might “feel,” about any number of the military conflicts, if such conflicts violate our very Constitution they cannot be justified.  An excellent examination of this point, also by Hornberger, can be found in his April 2002 piece, “Declaring and Waging War: The U.S. Constitution.”

To attack and invade nations who have not attacked or are even capable of threatening us allies is unjust. 

Thoughts on dialogue & (lowercase) christians, republicans & libertarians

“I hardly know an intellectual man, even, who is so broad and truly liberal that you can think aloud in his society. Most with whom you endeavor to talk soon come to a stand against some institution in which they appear to hold stock, — that is, some particular, not universal, way of viewing things. They will continually thrust their own low roof, with its narrow skylight, between you and the sky, when it is the unobstructed heavens you would view. Get out of the way with your cobwebs; wash your windows, I say!” – Thoreau, Life Without Principle.

A most rewarding aspect of attending Cato University (in addition, of course to the highly informative lectures from some excellent scholars) was the dialogue between attendees.  We had no “cobwebs” getting in the way of our communication.

Most places I go and the people I speak with remind me of another of Thoreau’s observations in Life Without Principle, “Just so hollow and ineffectual, for the most part, is our ordinary conversation. Surface meets surface. When our life ceases to be inward and private, conversation degenerates into mere gossip. We rarely meet a man who can tell us any news which he has not read in a newspaper, or been told by his neighbor….”

At Cato University, rather than “surface meets surface” it was “depth meets depth.”

But Cato University was so different!  Here discussion of ideas flowed.  After lectures, during breaks, while dining, and at receptions and other social gatherings attendees were often discussing issues and ideas.  Rather than “surface meets surface” it was “depth meets depth.”

That was because none of us thrust “some particular, not universal, way of viewing things: upon any other.”  We focused on shared premises, so as to develop thoughtful (and oftentimes entertaining) conversation.  It was always enjoyable!  For example, a friend posed a question at a table of several, qualifying it with the prerequisite we were all little “c” christians, and as all nodded, he proceeded with his point of discussion.

I had never heard the word “christian” used that way before…and the more I pondered it the more I liked it.  Actually, I liked it immediately.  For to engage in truth with others requires certain premises to be acknowledged and agreed upon for the sake of discussion and understanding (while differences,if any, are set aside).  That’s the way to effective dialogue.

The lowercase “christian” concept is one I relate to.  In fact, as I think back on my life, for so many years it would have been a quick way to describe myself (not a member of any church for most of my life, I always told people that I believed in the love Jesus taught, to distinguish myself from practicing any particular religion but not rejecting the premise of living one’s life with goodwill toward others).

And although Catholicism (especially the writings of Catholic mystics being meaningful) is my faith, I still maintain that mine is a spiritual practice far more than a religious one.  I distinguish between the spiritual and the religious.  Often, I think religion can be the way one comes to a deep spiritual path or it may enhance their life. The religious aspects of Catholicism have enhanced my understanding, this I am aware of, but the spiritual focus of my life has always been present.

Letting conscience be the guide

It is my own conscience, not any church pronouncement or “rules”, which determines my choices in life.

In other words, I concern myself with the “way” I spend my life as Throreau would express it, but not in any regard to what anyone else may think about or judge it, including the Church.  In all matters of life, I consider all factors, and then make my decision as to what I believe is personally right for me.

Thus, when in mixed company, such a designation as the lowercase “c” allowed for us all to proceed with an intellectual and ethical dialogue without becoming caught up in our possible differences, rather we all understood a basic meaning, a way of life based on certain ethics upon which we all agreed, so that we could go from there in our talk together.

Lowercase “l” “r” & “c” libertarians, republicans. and christians

It’s just like lowercase “l” libertarians and lowercase “r” republicans.  It makes sense.  As I consider it, ironically, most lowercase “l” and “r” libertarians and republicans I’ve met adhere to principle to a much greater extent than many of their uppercase counterparts, and I have often sadly seen it’s the same with “Christians” and “christians,” with those most loudly declaring their religiosity often some of those who are most far from the loving principle upon which it is based.

My personal emphasis is placing my priority on principle above all. Principles I hold and believe manifest in my work, friendships, as well as in my faith and politics, which makes everything I do a labor or expression of love.

Principle guides every expression without thought to whether it be well-received, approved of, or compensated by others. I cannot say “I know” anything, only that I believe.  As such, I truly appreciate being around others who also forgo egocentric debates in favor of learning and sharing.

“Let us consider the way in which we spend our lives.” – Thoreau, Life without Principle

I really enjoy being around people who value true communication.

I learned a great deal from my many conversations with others at Cato University.  And more than anything in those conversations, I loved listening to others and their perceptions and experiences.  What a joy it was to be with those who are “so broad and truly liberal” (liberal in the classical sense), for conversation brought us together with good dialogue and ample exchange of ideas.  The ethical and political premises we shared allowed us to proceed to learn from one another.

Give me lowercase christians, libertarians and republicans to discuss things with as they (whether they choose to affiliate or not with any organization) are most capable of true communication as no institution takes priority over their own judgment and conscience.

So indeed let’s as Thoreau wrote,  “consider the way in which we spend our lives,” living in ways encompassing truth, love, humility, and thereby fostering rewarding conversation, learning, and friendship.