Three American Values, inscribed on every one of our American Coins: E Pluribus Unum, Liberty and In God We Trust.

Three American Values, which lead to vastly different results than the French values: Libertė, Egalitė, Fraternitė my friend Robert Scott, who also periodically writes for the Edgefield Advertiser, wrote about in the May 8^th, 2019 print edition.

Robert’s editorial made it to the online version, and I encourage you to read it by clicking here!

We live in a time period of history where there is a lot of confusion.  Generally, I disagree with Mr. Scott’s conclusions on a wide range of fronts.  However, I am glad he is encouraging American’s to review the philosophical underpinnings which drive culture and ultimately politics and nation-states.  One thing Mr. Scott and I likely agree on, is that politics is downstream of culture.

Last month I shared in “Notrė Dame Revisited,” two tidbits of history about this historic French building.  First, it is owned, not by any church, but by the French Government.  Second, on October 10, 1793 the statue of Mother Mary was removed from Notrė Dame and replaced with a statue of the secular goddess “Reason.” 

This “modern” change was a change from a theological worldview to a secular worldview, over 200 years ago.  Many argue this change contributed to very different results between the American and the French Revolutions, both wars taking place during that era of change, and how our nations developed as a result.  I would encourage you to read that editorial, as well as listen to the commentary about Notrė Dame by Dr. Albert Mohler, which is linked within, by clicking here!

As it relates to the three American Values in the title of this editorial, as you contemplate these values, compared to the French Values Mr. Scott wrote about last week, I would encourage you to watch a short 5-minute video prepared by Mr. Dennis Prager.

  .

Mr. Prager, founder of Prager University https://www.prageru.com/, is an online collaboration of dozens of world known thinkers from business, non-profit, government and academia whose vision is to prepare “Short Videos with Big Ideas!”  Their homepage states “with 2.1 billion views and counting, our videos are changing the conversation about American Ideas.”

Mr. Prager coined these three American Values: E Pluribus Unum, Liberty and In God We Trust as “The American Trinity.”  No pun intended!  In the video he compares the difference between the French value of “liberty” and the American value of “Liberty.”

He also discusses the inequality which true liberty allows.  Mr. Prager takes head on the reality that some American’s desire to replace American values with European values. Prager then discusses where such trends will take us.  Finally, Prager ends by stating “Which set of values Americans adopt will determine whether America remains free, prosperous and the force for good in the world that it has been.   With the exception of the Civil War, this is the greatest internal battle in American History.”

More next week.  Here’s wishing you a productive week!

Follow Scott on Twitter!

Follow Scott on Facebook!

My March 29^th, 2018 editorial to the Edgefield Advertiser was about Notrė-Dame, how it was crumbling from within, and in my opinion was a potential symbol of the church at large. 

Rather than re-printing last years editorial, I would encourage you to read the online version:  http://www.edgefieldadvertiser.com/2018/03/notre-dame-at-risk-potential-symbolism/, prior to continuing with this weeks.

Monday April 15^th, 2019 the world watched in horror as this heirloom to our Judeo-Christian faith, as well as centuries of history went up in flames.  What has been interesting to watch, as well as encouraging, following this tragic event, is the outpouring of love for Notre-Dame coming from all sectors of our secular society, not merely those who adhere to the Judeo-Christian faith.

I would venture to say that even now, after all the publicity Notre-Dame received last week, that most global citizens don’t realize integral parts of its history.  For example, the structure is not owned by any “church,” but rather the French Government.  Or perhaps, that on October 10, 1793 the statue of Mother Mary was removed and replaced with a statue of the secular goddess “Reason.” 

This “modern” change was a change from a theological worldview to a secular worldview, over 200 years ago.  Many argue this change led to very different results between the American and the French Revolutions, both wars taking place during that era of change.

I could write more editorial, but I would rather encourage my friends who want to learn about the history of Notre Dame, and how it impacts the worldview’s at play today, to listen to last Tuesday April 16’s “Daily Briefing” from Albert Mohler.  It can be found by going to this link:  https://albertmohler.com/2019/04/16/briefing-4-16-19

Dr. Mohler’s Bio is taken from his website:

“Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.

Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”

In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.”

In closing, I have written many times in this venue about the cold civil war we are facing, and how ultimately the conflicts we face are conflicts of worldview.  It is my humble opinion that we will only prevent this cold civil war from boiling over, if our citizenry become passionate about understanding our history, and the conflicting worldviews at play.  The source I listed above is a daily venue to help one’s personal effort in that process.

Here’s wishing you a productive week.

Follow Scott on Twitter

Follow Scott on Facebook