To the Editor:
A suggestion to a very noisy nation, (in more ways than one): Quietly contemplate your constitution.
The letters on these pages of LCN have resonated from differing words through rational or scriptural eyes. Although there may be more ways to come to agreement, it hasn’t happened yet.
Even the argument coming for “common sense” I suspect, has been historically tainted and influenced by beliefs, ergo slavery, persecution or races and those ethnic differences: all a result of ideological rationalization.
What we do have in common is our constitution, whereas scriptures are rigid and inflexible. Though it often states that “The Creator endowed men with inalienable rights, among them life liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” it proclaims, “that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
This was a radical departure from religious legal traditions, in its assertion that all laws are man made. Its emphasis on individual rights makes it all inclusive, respectful without allowing dominance by any race, creed or circumstances; quite the opposite of “us versus them”, “the powers that be”, or “majority rules.”
These flexible documents with their amendments have become the most successful in history for individual human freedoms, but for social, religious and civil rights as well. Thus, the opposition by their defenders to converting this to a “Christian nation.”
Far from regarding these United States as a “young nation” we should celebrate its maturity, having learned from and rejected the failed dogmas, both political and religious, of these older countries. We continue to be youthful in our hopes, in our free thinking innovations, outpouring of examples that other nations can emulate.
Based on those decisions of 1776, regarding what kind of nation this must be, we have come not only to be more tolerant, but more so, understanding and appreciative of our differences, interests and humanity. Every single prediction that has been made of dire consequences as a result of allowing the freedoms to others we ourselves enjoy, has failed to come true, and will.
This past election is an example of not only how far we’ve come. The faith of our Founders as stated in our constitution once again, magnified the wisdom of those wise though flawed men, more worthy of appreciation.
Our new president is stating their faith in “We the people,” we the individuals changing our nation. Our freedom is our responsibility and what clear air that it is to breathe.
Carl Scheiman, Walpole
