It is said that religion and politics don’t mix much like when oil and water is thrown together. The latter two make a terrible mess, and when the former are not allowed to work together, another terrible mess which involves everyone is the result. When politicians ignore God and his righteousness, they devise human solutions to sinful behavior which only servers to imperil the freedom and liberty of the morally behaving millions of the population. In order to appease the gods of immorality, they deny the truth. Jesus said, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (Matthew 15:8) Jesus spoke that to the Pharisees, but the principle holds for deceitful politicians.

Although this is a Bible lesson a quote from one of the founders of this nation is in order to begin the discussion: "Statesmen by dear Sir, may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand .... The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty." -- John Adams (letter to Zabdiel Adams, 21 June 1776) The word Virtue must be examined closely. Wbsters1828 Dictionary defines it thusly: Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law.  In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion.  The practice of moral duties merely from motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue, as distinct from religion.  The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion. When the virtue’s  definition is viewed in the context of God, it is reasonable to say that John Adams used Virtue synonymously with the idea of God being the foundation for the Constitution.

The Gentiles did have the law as did the Jews but they followed the moral aspects of the law and honored God. Paul tells us in Romans. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15  Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  (Romans 2: 14-15) The Gentiles followed the moral aspects of the law and thus were virtuous and since Paul used the word conscience in referring to their behavior, it is reasonable to conclude that they were attempting to please God and if they weren’t, their conscience accused them of misconduct as well.

How different it is today concerning virtue and morals. Instead of the politicians and other people in positions of influence showing the benefits of leading a moral life, they are proposing vaccines for young girls to stop diseases that can only be contracted by sexual relations. Oregon is in the process of requiring schools to teach students how to use various devices such as condoms and emergency contraception. Rather than show the way for morality, the adults are aiding and abetting immorality. The conclusion of the Oregon Legislature shows the convoluted and immoral thinking of those elected: "The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety," In the name of all things holy and common sense, have they not read the Bible? Paul told the Christians in Corinth the following: 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (I Corinthians 6:18-20)  The foregoing is good advice to all, but the politicians don’t thinks so and are aiding abetting sin amongst the young.

Paul told the Thessalonians: 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (I Thessalonians 4: 3) Paul wrote in Romans: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 2:1  Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.

The words reprobate mind describe well those who proclaim the solutions to all the evils practiced by mankind. How much more reprobate than helping the young learn and then enable them to indulge in the practice of immoral behavior? Unfortunately, they will learn much on their own. Is it necessary for adults to lend their approval when they should be telling them to abstain until marriage? Of course that would be teaching religion and that has no place in the schools.

In days of old the practice for those who misbehaved was to take them to the woodshed, and the woodshed is where a whole bunch of immoral adults with reprobate minds should be taken.

© 04-20-2007 DEC

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