"The Twinned Threats of Faith"

From George Weigel about his new book, Faith, Reason, and the War Against Jihadism: A Call to Action. (edited and numbered by me)

The Pope accurately described the twinned threats of faith detached from reason,

[1] so that you can believe that God commands you to do the irrational, like blow up the World Trade Center, and reason having lost faith in itself,

[2] so that the West no longer has the capacity to say here is why religious freedom, separation of religious and political authority in a state, civility, tolerance, democratic persuasion rather than coercion, here is why these things are morally superior.

Those are the two sides of the great culture war in the world today, and the Pope hit it right on the head.

Mitt Romney touched on this theme in his Dec 6, 07 "Faith in America" speech.

I have visited many of the magnificent cathedrals in Europe. They are so inspired . so grand . so empty. Raised up over generations, long ago, so many of the cathedrals now stand as the postcard backdrop to societies just too busy or too 'enlightened' to venture inside and kneel in prayer. The establishment of state religions in Europe did no favor to Europe's churches. And though you will find many people of strong faith there, the churches themselves seem to be withering away.

Infinitely worse is the other extreme, the creed of conversion by conquest: violent Jihad, murder as martyrdom... killing Christians, Jews, and Muslims with equal indifference. These radical Islamists do their preaching not by reason or example, but in the coercion of minds and the shedding of blood. We face no greater danger today than theocratic tyranny, and the boundless suffering these states and groups could inflict if given the chance.

National Fast for Guidance

Abraham Lincoln appointed a National Fast Day for March 30 1863. I did not realize that our country has a history 2 3 of declaring fast days. As our country decides our next President, let each of us set a time to fast and pray for guidance. That we may collectively choose the best of the wise, good and honest.

Article 6

Hugh Hewitt interviewed mp3 Larry O'Donnell on Monday. Larry went crazy on the McLaughlin Group last Friday.

The funniest reaction to Hugh's interview was a caller (Mormon) who said he wants to know what Mormon stole Larry's lunch money when he was little. Larry seems to have a personal vendetta against Latter-Day Saints.

The point is that according to article 6 of the US Constitution, "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States". For some reason Larry seems to think that a conservative Mormon running for President has a different standard to meet than the Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate. In order to exclude yourself from Larry's venom, you have to have an "elastic relationship" with your church.

Hugh gave a warning around the end of 2006 to those with spiritual beliefs. If you support those who attack Mitt Romney based on his beliefs you are opening up the door for the sharp knifes against anyone with faith who wants to serve in a public trust. Article 6 expresses the legal standard for those who serve the United States. It also codifies our common feeling that you should not exclude those who want to serve just because they have personal beliefs different than yourself.

A better standard is to look at the values leaders hold. Use their actions over a long period to assess their character. Do they walk their talk? Do their values whether fiscal, social, international or otherwise match up well with yours? Or, recognizing your own failings, those you want us to work towards?

For comprehensive coverage on article 6 on the Constitution, see also http://article6blog.com.

Lack of Internet Zoning Laws

Our world is organized and protected in part by zoning laws. It ensures that harmful industries are kept away from residential areas. The Interne is long overdue in this kind of regulation. I found this site recently and found their arguments to be persuasive. We have the technology to do this. It will preserve individual choice. It will only make it easier to keep out content I do not want.

From http://www.cp80.org/solutions/technology/
See also an informative flash presentations at http://www.cp80.org/training/

The solution is simple. Categorize and organize all Internet content using the existing and available ports which will allow users to access what they want and avoid what they don't want. This solution creates a space for those who value the freedom and who want to avoid unwanted intrusions into their businesses, homes, and minds.
The implementation could be equally simple. An Internet governing body, accountable to the world governments and the public they represent, can designate content specific ports and appropriate penalties to ensure compliance. Furthermore, individual governments would be free to implement additional laws as appropriate for their citizens to enhance the adoption and enforcement of this approach.
The CP80 Foundation is dedicated to offering solutions that are free, that leverage existing technologies and infrastructure, and that consider the global nature of the Internet. The foundation is also committed to educating and enabling the individual consumer to the real possibilities of a better Internet.
The CP80 Foundation is also proposing the Internet Community Ports Act (ICPA) in the United States that honors, supports and protects the basic human rights and freedoms that all people should enjoy. The ICPA can be used as a roadmap for legislative efforts in other countries around the world.

Seeking out the wise, good and honest

"Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil." (D&C 98:10) This is where I got the title of my blog. I also found this:

Citizens of every land, where permitted, should vigorously cherish their right to vote and should act upon that privilege at every opportunity by supporting wise and honorable candidates. Good and wise leaders elected by and working cooperatively with responsible citizens will seek to protect their freedoms. Failure to actively support such candidates with one’s vote may result in leaders who are elected, as Mosiah said, by 'the lesser part of the people' who may 'desire that which is not right' (Mosiah 29:26). What a sacred privilege and responsibility is ours to participate with other like-minded people to ensure that basic freedoms are preserved wherever we reside. (Shirley D. Christensen, “‘I, the Lord God, Make You Free’,” Ensign, Feb 2006, 26–29)

Occasionally, I will put down my ideas here of what I have found to be wise, honest and good.