|
| ||
|
Being new in the country I have given thought to the people who founded it. Did they treat women as equals? Were they opting for independence from English rule while keeping the ladies in bondage to male chauvinism? Some believe that. A few hold that the reason why their great document, the Declaration of Independence, declares that we believe that all MEN are created equal is that its writers were down on women. One year close to 4th of July a debate raged in the New Jersey senate about a bill recommending that school kids recite the Declaration. There's even been a suggestion that we amend the wording to remove seemingly offensive phrases. I haven't lived here very long but I have been alive long enough to know that "all men" is a non-sexual term. What were the founders like? Were they filled with wrong attitudes? I look at those days and see some inequalities. A second look at the same times shows highly moral people with respect for God and a desire for liberty. So what was wrong? Women had no right to vote. Slavery was tolerated. Class distinctions remained entrenched in society. There was greed for land. Superstition reigned in places. Despite all this there is a genuine longing for and embracing of freedom within the Declaration. Greatest freedom though is not the multiplication of human rights but rather the liberty to think and act responsibly. Just to say that implies the idea of living accountably. Accountable to what, or to Whom? That is a vital question. There can be no real liberty until you as individual look to see if there is anyone above you in rank and also ponder your responsibility for the happiness of those over whom you are in charge. Military officers know that being under authority gives you authority. This great piece of literature takes for granted the existence of a Creator. Do you know God? Do you live in humble submission to His laws? Are you discovering His love for you? Are you praying for conformity to His holy character? Or, is it really self that rules you? Please spend some time thinking about the fact that this country was founded on the belief that all men are CREATED equal. The Bible is very clear that in the beginning God made it all. We are the crowning glory of the natural creation. We are created as the stewards of this world. We must someday give an account to its Owner. A word about the other people in your life. The document says we are created EQUAL. That is one of life's fundamental truths. Every human life is of equal value. From fetus to the infirmary we are of equal value. Yet, created equal is not to say that we are created the same. You are not free until you have been delivered from the prejudice that only gives equal value to those of your sex, race, class or IQ. There is no liberty in efforts to remove these and other human distinctions. All people are not the same! The liberty comes when you grow to the place where you see the many differences, but see that beyond them lies a common humanness. The Bible claims we are created of "one blood". To miss that liberty of outlook is to sin against the Creator's laws of love!
|