My Response To Neitzsche

"People demand freedom only when they have no power." Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

 Well, maybe he has a point, nevertheless, I say freedom is for everyone. It is not only for the powerful, the rich or highly favored. It is for everyone. And to implement this philosophy and make it a natural part of every aspect of our culture and society is not necessarily easy. It never will be.

William Penn's Prayer For Philadelphia 1684

"And thou, Philadelphia, the virgin settlement of this province - named before thou were born - what love, what care, what service and what travail there have been to bring thee forth and to preserve thee from such as would abuse and defile thee. Oh that thou mayest be kept from the evil that would overwhelm thee; that faithful to the God of thy mercies, in the life of righteousness, thou mayest be preserved to the end. My soul prays to God for thee that thou mayest stand in the day of trial, that thy children may be blest and thy people saved by his power."

Preface to William Penn's Prayer

I do not consider it irrelevant nor unimportant that the founder of the City of Philadelphia, William Penn, prayed for that city. Philadelphia is considered the "birthplace of America." I had the privilege of reading that prayer which is on a large plaque on the South side of the East pavilion, near the courtyard of City Hall. Market at Juniper. The City of Philadelphia is blessed because God answers prayer. That is just the way it is.

The Jaws Of Power

The jaws of a mother lioness can carry her cubs from one place to another to keep her young safe. In a very real sense, strong jaws are important for survival. They are used for capturing, tearing and devouring. This is why the personification of the jaw to describe power can be used in a positive or negative way. Have you ever heard of the jaws of mercy? Jaws are able to save or destroy life. What about the jaws of power? Do they help or hinder? Ask John Adams. "The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing." John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President

Do It For Others

Preserving one's image is not as important as being genuine. Looking "cool" and sophisticated is not as important as being considerate of others. Showing one's cleverness and sophistry (certainly not intellect) by verbally abusing others is not a sign that one is a great thinker and owns a great mind. We can be genuinely interested in others. This is important. If it is not important, then, what is? Appearing a certain way? Being a phony? Being a "private person," yet yearning for the warmth of friendship? This may cause a person to be shallow and keep too much in "reserve," and therefore be an extremely boring person to be with. Do something for others. Don't just think of yourself. "My money, my time, my trips, my vacations, my fun, my pleasures, my experiences, my accomplishments!" "My accomplishments"? Unfortunately, sometimes nobody cares. Why does nobody care? Why should they care if there is no relationship? Relationships are nurtured. Friendships are nurtured. Friendships do not just happen just because we want them to be there. They do not just happen because one is so arrogant that he/she feels "it is an honor to know me because I am so special." I have observed that sometimes people get angry because they do not have the friendship they crave. What do they do about it? They verbally abuse. They get extremely jealous and call certain people hypocrites. Hypocrites? No, they just have friends. They give and get benefits from relationships. On the other hand, the braggart without friends wants to let everyone know what he did. He wants to brag, but he has nobody to brag to. Why? Because he has no friends. He has not taken the time to nurture friendships. Do it for others and benefit yourself. Sound selfish? It is not. That is just the way it is. Does a mother take care of her infant to benefit her baby or to benefit herself? If it is a joy for her, is she being selfish?

Three Quotes About Government

I appreciate the following quotes. They have wisdom. My thanks to their authors and to "Liberty Tree." "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." Plato (429-347 BC) "The inherent vice of capitalism is the uneven division of blessings, while the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal division of misery." Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom "That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves." Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President

George Washington Said It

George Washington, in his farewell address, warned, "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion... Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." At another time, he said the following: "It is impossible to govern the world without the Bible." We have a problem. If one stands up for Judeo-Christian values, he or she risks being called a hater or an intolerant bigot. Well....I am of the opinion that if this nation ever ceases to be "one nation under God," it will cease to exist as we know it. And please, don't even think that it can seriously be considered to be a free country if or when that happens.

Democracy And Freedom

Are democracy and freedom the same? Maybe that is the goal. Maybe they try to be. But they belong in two different worlds. One is the world of politics. The other has to do with personal and individual choices, thoughts beliefs and actions. Yes, perhaps democracy and freedom have a connection. However, freedom's origin has a divine source. Democracy's origin is earthly. Perhaps democracy is an idea inspired by freedom. However democracy has to do with many. Freedom is a very, very individual concept. Nevertheless, when we hear declarations like "land of the free," or "where freedom reigns," we know that the person generally refers to a society or nation. I see nothing wrong with that, because freedom is a goal on this earth, and it is a constant battle to achieve it and keep it. Both in a secular and spiritual sense. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) The "truth" that Jesus refers to is the Word of God. It is eternal. It produces freedom. Not only that. It produces eternal freedom, because the Word of God is eternal. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor. 3:17) The Spirit and the Word agree. They are one. We benefit from the liberty/freedom that they give.

Harvard From A Coffee Cup

The following historical information about Harvard University was taken from a coffee cup I purchased there during my second trip to Massachusetts. "The oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, Harvard College was established in 1636 by the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and named for its first benefactor, John Harvard, a young minister. Harvard was founded to educate the new colony's religious and secular leadership. The Charter of 1650, granted by the General Court, dedicated the College to "the advancement of all good literature, artes and science." By 1780, the state constitution had recognized Harvard as a university. Throughout the early years, the College produced or attracted a long list of famous scholars including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, James Russel Lowell, William James, the elder Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Louis Agassiz."

Happy Birthday, America!

I am patriotic. That is just the way it is. There are no perfect countries anywhere, and there won't be in the future. I do not blame any person, young or old, male or female, for wanting to immigrate to this great nation. There are two main reasons: opportunity and freedom. I want to wish America a happy birthday! I will celebrate freedom every day. Freedom did not come from America, it has allowed it to be practiced. I do not deviate from my persuasion. I know better. Freedom comes from the Word of God. I know, I know. If I am called a "religious nut," it won't be the first time, nor the last. Please remember: All of the Presidents this nation has ever had; from Washington to Obama, have respected the Word of God. Obviously, some more than others. Here are some quotes about the Bible made by three former Presidents. "It is impossible to govern the world without the Bible." G. Washington. "In regard to the Great Book, (The Bible), I have only to say that it is the best gift God has ever given to man... But for this Book we could not know right from wrong." A. Lincoln. "In this book will be found the solution of all the problems of the world." C. Coolidge. There is much, much more regarding this theme. Where would we be without the Word of God to guide us? "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Jesus