UNALIENABLE RIGHTS

The Golden Rule

A Golden Rule is defined as “a basic principle that should always be followed to ensure success in general or in a particular activity.” 

Every major religion has a version of a Golden Rule based on the principle of treating another the way you would want them to treat you. You may be familiar with the Christian version which says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Other examples include:

Judaism

    “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man.” 

Islam

   “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”

Hinduism 

    “This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.”

Historically speaking, religion played a huge role in the founding of America. Many British settlers sought refuge in America in order to flee religious persecution and to be able to worship God in the way they believed to be correct. As a focal point of their community, the church provided moral and spiritual guidance to those seeking greater happiness and freedom. 

In the words of John Adams, who fought in the American Revolution and served as the first Vice-President of the United States:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Corruption, revenge, ambition or envy will break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.”

“Statesmen …may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. . . . The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a greater Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty. They will only exchange Tyrants and Tyrannies.“

Another Founding Father, Samuel Adams, voiced his concern with these words:

“For once the people lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties at the first external or internal invader!  Our liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals.”

Ironically, those words bring us right back to where this website began: with America in turmoil.

What we are witnessing in society today is the result of the declining morality in America caused by the systematic destruction of the only two institutions capable of teaching right from wrong and instilling virtues and morality: the family and the church. 

In support of this viewpoint are the following:

The Institute for Family Studies reports that based on the most current census data available, the U.S. marriage rate hit an all time low in 2019, going from 85.9 people per 1000 in 1970 to 33.2 people per 1000.

A 2016 Census Bureau report shows that between 1960 and 2016, the percentage of children living in families with two parents decreased from 88% to 69%.

A 2020 Gallop poll shows that in the 63 years from 1937 to 2000, church membership among adults in the U.S. declined 5%, whereas in the last 20 years, it has declined 21%. 

This same Gallop poll showed that over the past two decades, the percentage of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown from about 8% in 2000 to 21% as of 2020.

Ideally, both the family and the church will begin to reclaim their rightful roles in creating a more ethical and moral society. Instruction in morals, values and virtue is a job best suited to parents and their spiritual leaders.

We must not allow our government to become the “moral authority” for America where legislatures and bureaucrats decide the difference between “right and wrong”, what is “correct behavior” and what is “best” for ourselves and our children. If we do, we will no longer be free.

Our best solution is for “We the People…” to realize that every one of us can do something about it. 

All you need is a willingness to help another and an easy to understand moral code, based wholly on common sense, which can be given to those you care about. By doing that one thing, you would help that person improve their conduct and become happier as a result!

In the words of one of America’s greatest moral leaders, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”