Happy Independence Day
Wishing you and your family a memorable celebration and much joy on this Independence Day.
America's Constitution is based on fundamental rights - ‘Natural Law'.
The Natural Law Theory of Thomas Aquinas1
The ideology of Natural Law with Aquinas takes into account man's ability to reason and think rationally. In this we come to understand the "nature" of things and why they do what they do. The Laws of Nature & Nature's God is what our founders referenced in forming the USA -
A great book to understand the moral and foundational principles that, although less prevalent today, have been the key to the success of the great American experiment is ‘The Five Thousand Year Leap: Twenty-Eight Great Ideas That Are Changing the World’ by W. Cleon Skousen.2
W. Cleon Skousen describes in "The 5000 Year Leap" the 28 fundamental beliefs of the Founding Fathers which they said must be understood and perpetuated by every people who desired peace, prosperity, and freedom.
These beliefs have made possible more progress in 200 years than was made previously in over 5,000 years.
28 great ideas that changed the world
This section makes up the bulk of Skousen’s work. Here he outlines 28 principles, or in his words, “28 great ideas that changed the world.” While I could spend several pages attempting to explain the importance of each of these points, I would much rather have you take the time to read these principles for yourselves. Each point is roughly 15 pages, and taken one at a time, they are a very easy read.
Here is a list of these principles:
The Genius of Natural Law
A Virtuous and Moral People
Virtuous and Moral Leaders
The Role of Religion
The Role of the Creator
All Men Are Created Equal
Equal Rights, Not Equal Things
Man’s Unalienable Rights
The Role of Revealed Law
Sovereignty of the People
Who Can Alter the Government?
Advantages of a Republic
Protection Against Human Frailty
Property Rights Essential to Liberty
Free-market Economics
The Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Importance of a Written Constitution
Limiting the Powers of Government
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Strong Local Self-government
Government by Law, Not by Men
Importance of an Educated Electorate
Peace Through Strength
Avoid Entangling Alliances
Protecting the Role of the Family
Avoiding the Burden of Debt
The Founders’ Sense of Manifest Destiny
A brief overview of the 28 principles found in The 5,000 Year Leap can be read here.3
Above is a short clip from “The 5000 year Leap” of Separatism versus Internationalism
A more recent book I have read discusses the intentional breakdown of one of our Nation's moral fiber bonding agents - The Family.
(Dr. Ben Carson will be visiting Delaware soon - stay tuned for more details)
The Perilous Fight: Overcoming Our Culture's War on the American Family by Dr. Ben Carson
Another great article by
I felt it neccessary to amend this post with this inspiring story.
I Hated July 4th. This Is What Changed My Mind
Last Independence day I briefly touch on the Monument to the Forefathers.
W. Cleon Skousen is most notably known for his book “The Naked Communist"
