The Case for Judeo-Christian Values
Conservative talk-show host, Dennis Prager, has begun writing a series of articles laying out the case for Judeo-Christian values in American society. As attempts by some within our culture to further secularize America by removing as many reminders of the Christian base from which this country grew (Michael Newdow's attempt at removing prayer from todays inauguration is a good example), I commend them to you. In these articles, Dennis attempts to demonstrate the necessity of Judeo-Christian values in order to maintain an orderly society and that the founding of the country was done so based upon these values.
Regarding the idea of a historically Christian foundation of America, I should note that I do not claim that America is necessarily a "Christian" nation, though the majority of Americans claim to be so, nor do I assert that the founding fathers were all Christians...many were deists, though I believe all acknowledged the existence of God. However, I do claim that this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian values. I should make clear that I am not saying that there is no room within American society for those who think otherwise and disbelieve in the existence of God. I am simply agreeing with Dennis that we really do not want the results of a society based upon purely secular, atheistic principles.
As you read the articles, you will notice that part of Dennis' argument is based on the fact that rationality doesn't necessarily lead to right actions and a better society due to subjectivity apart from an objective lawgiver. In that argument, he is assuming rationality. I would go one step further and argue that the opposing view, naturalism, gives no basis for rational thought whatsoever. Philosophical naturalism (which basically claims humanity is a great cosmic accident) provides no grounds upon which to give account for rational thought. Even if one argues for rational thought based upon the fact that we do, in fact, act and think rationally (which has been one argument actually put forth), that is simply question-begging, starting from the assumption that naturalism is true, still lacking in warrant for why we are rational creatures. Certainly, we may think and act rationally, but how can we know that what we think and say is "right"? What is good? What is bad? How can we know anything? We're left with subjectivism and pragmatism, ultimately leading (if we're honest in our naturalistic worldview) to nihilism. As C.S. Lewis said, the moment we begin thinking about these things; the moment we begin "rationalizing," we are, in practice, disproving philosophical naturalism (he actually says we have "abandoned" naturalism).
I assume that more articles by Dennis will follow, so if you are interested, I encourage you to bookmark the site and check back regularly.
(Michael Medved is another Jewish American who argues strongly for Judeo-Christian values and for maintaining the prominent place that Christianity has in America.)
Regarding the idea of a historically Christian foundation of America, I should note that I do not claim that America is necessarily a "Christian" nation, though the majority of Americans claim to be so, nor do I assert that the founding fathers were all Christians...many were deists, though I believe all acknowledged the existence of God. However, I do claim that this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian values. I should make clear that I am not saying that there is no room within American society for those who think otherwise and disbelieve in the existence of God. I am simply agreeing with Dennis that we really do not want the results of a society based upon purely secular, atheistic principles.
As you read the articles, you will notice that part of Dennis' argument is based on the fact that rationality doesn't necessarily lead to right actions and a better society due to subjectivity apart from an objective lawgiver. In that argument, he is assuming rationality. I would go one step further and argue that the opposing view, naturalism, gives no basis for rational thought whatsoever. Philosophical naturalism (which basically claims humanity is a great cosmic accident) provides no grounds upon which to give account for rational thought. Even if one argues for rational thought based upon the fact that we do, in fact, act and think rationally (which has been one argument actually put forth), that is simply question-begging, starting from the assumption that naturalism is true, still lacking in warrant for why we are rational creatures. Certainly, we may think and act rationally, but how can we know that what we think and say is "right"? What is good? What is bad? How can we know anything? We're left with subjectivism and pragmatism, ultimately leading (if we're honest in our naturalistic worldview) to nihilism. As C.S. Lewis said, the moment we begin thinking about these things; the moment we begin "rationalizing," we are, in practice, disproving philosophical naturalism (he actually says we have "abandoned" naturalism).
I assume that more articles by Dennis will follow, so if you are interested, I encourage you to bookmark the site and check back regularly.
(Michael Medved is another Jewish American who argues strongly for Judeo-Christian values and for maintaining the prominent place that Christianity has in America.)
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 1/20/2005 09:58:00 AM
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