What are We Trying to Conserve?

By: American Decency Staff

Well known conservative radio host Dennis Prager recently mourned the religious ambivalence of many intellectual champions of the conservative movement.

In his words, "Most leading Republicans and most of the wealthy donors to the Republican party — in addition to virtually all libertarian politicians, and think-tank scholars — are either uninterested in the death of Judeo-Christian religions and values in America and the West, or are okay with it. They think that America can survive the death of God and religion, that fiscal and other forms of conservatism without social conservatism can preserve America."

Although Prager doesn't name any names, doubtless we all have our own examples in mind. This election year has had a notable side effect of separating the wheat from the tares, so to speak, or perhaps it would be more Politically Correct to say it has simply highlighted our differences.

At ADA, we have been sometimes shocked and often disappointed in the conservative giants who have either noticeably failed to denounce or have even flat out supported a candidate who is the antithesis of Biblical morals, whose businesses have disenfranchised people, whose political ideology has been unstable at best, and who has made a mockery of our religion which he claims to share and thus represent.

As if we could, "Make America great again," by forgetting what greatness actually is.  It is often said, "America is great, because America is good; if America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great."

I believe that is what this election is about: can America be great again, when we no long know what "good" is?

In an interview about his article, which we've been quoting, Prager gave this explanation:

"…if you cut flowers from their soil – someone who knows nothing about biology or botany would say, 'look at that, that flower doesn't need the soil; it's still beautiful, it smells great.' But, of course, a week later, it's dead.

If you cut ethics in the west from the religious soil that nurtured them they last a lot more than a week – they could last even 50 or 80 years – but eventually they will die."

Christians often find ourselves lined up with conservatism because many of the ideas we are trying to conserve are founded on Biblical truths – but they are often, also, common sense.

However, as the culture changes, what we know as common sense becomes less common! The conclusions that we've taken for granted are abandoned, because no one remembers the reasons for them in the first place.

The house of conservatism – without the foundation of the Bible – is simply built on sand, and is doomed to fail.

As Christians, we must be working to strengthen those foundations, not just the ideals that are built on them, but the foundations themselves – mankind having inherent worth because we're made in the image of God, our universal sinful nature that  will always cause trouble, even the ten commandments, which enshrine the value of life and the right to personal property! These Biblical concepts and many more are the foundation that is too often abandoned and forgotten.

But, as you know, it is not a foregone conclusion that those foundations will hold in America, and what will Christians do if they do not?

Psalm 11 has the answer:

"In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
² for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
    they have fitted their arrow to the string
    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
³ if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord's throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
⁵ The Lord tests the righteous,
    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
⁶ Let him rain coals on the wicked;
    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
⁷ For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
    the upright shall behold his face."

If the foundations are destroyed, God is in His holy temple!

America's last best hope has always and only ever been Jesus Christ. Let us pray we realize it.

---

In addition to joining us in action, we at American Decency couldn’t take a stand without your prayers and support.  One friend of this ministry understands that and just offered a match challenge to help us raise the funds needed for this fight.

1. The anonymous donor will match up to $5,000.
2.  They have pledged to match any gift, whether the person is a regular donor or has never given to American Decency before.
3.  The funds must be received between March 30 through May 15.
4. Make sure you designate your gift as MATCH CHALLENGE.

Will you stand with us today with a gift of any amount?  Each dollar will be doubled and will strengthen us for the fight!  Currently we are at 51% of the goal.

To stand with us with your support, click here.

Or mail your gift to:  American Decency, PO Box 202, Fremont, MI  49412. 

 

 

Visit us at AmericanDecency.org

To support our efforts please click here or mail your gift to American Decency Association (ADA), PO Box 202, Fremont, MI 49412.  

American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

 

---