RELIGION, MORALS, MORES and CUSTOMS
The moral character, religion, customs and mores of the citizenry are tremendously important factors in determining the quality of government in a democracy. Religious, civic, and political associations are crucial in thwarting the tendency of central government to involve itself in all areas of life.
The society should be grounded on a belief system that honors high moral standards and balanced democratic government. The philosophy of government must take into account the weaknesses and imperfectability of human nature so that checks and balances are carefully built into the system to guard against the will to power of individuals and groups.
Historically one of the great drivers of a nation’s or culture’s success or failure has been its belief system. Christianity has played an enormous role in the development and success of Western civilization. Without it the world would be quite different.
To be great a civilization must have a belief system worthy of a great civilization. The decline of Christianity and Judaism in the West is a grave threat. A culture that believes nothing is worth dying for cannot defend itself morally or militarily. It is extraordinarily difficult for individuals to develop the wisdom and moral character to live as responsible and productive citizens of a republic without the aid of a religion based on wise principles. The historical experience indicates that Christianity and Judaism are the two religions with the most beneficial influence on society and government. We can’t prove the truth of either Christianity or Judaism, but the evidence is clear that people who try to live by the moral codes of those two faiths tend to create better families, better communities, and better countries.
The government and society should honor and respect the individual above the group or the collective. The rights of the individual must be protected, not those of the group. The insight that overemphasis on protecting group rights threatens the liberty of the individual is critical to a well ordered society.