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frnajdi · 6 years

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Philosophy and the Muslim Masses

The practice of philosophy tends to threaten believers of God, generally speaking, and it is this apprehension towards this rational science that makes it so scarce among laymen. Of course, argumentation and debate are taking place daily among the general public, and that’s perfectly fine until it leads to widespread inaccuracy. So, I understand why some people would be hesitant to share complicated philosophical discussion with the mass public, especially when religion is involved. However, while I believe there is a time and place for everything, philosophical discussion regarding religion should not be kept away from the Muslim masses. It is prudent to building a foundation of faith, because it helps draw the line-a thin line-between faith and delusion.

Religious debate shouldn’t be swept under the rug and left for religious or philosophical scholars alone, it should be available for everyone. Of course, the general Muslim public will not always be interested in learning and discussing, but at that point, it would be their own fault for believing in something half-heartedly. Not only should these philosophical debates be available and shared, but also we should go as far as to educate the fundamentals of philosophy and logic, so there are fewer misunderstandings. Of course, the desire to learn and rationally discuss has to be evident. So if it isn’t we shouldn’t rush to religious debate, rather we should let them fall into a type of self-questioning, which is inescapable if they live long enough, they just have to allow themselves to seek answers. If they seek help in knowing if questioning is allowed religiously, they should turn their attention towards Ibn Rushd when he states that philosophy and logic are not only virtues, but obligatory by the Law-here is where I agree entirely. He explains his reasoning as to why philosophy and logic are obligatory religiously through a logical proof stating, “If the activity of philosophy is nothing more than reflection upon existing things and consideration of them insofar as they are an indication of the Artisan-I mean insofar as they are artifacts, for existing things indicate the Artisan only through cognizance of the art in them, and the more complete cognizance of the art in them is, the more complete is the cognizance of the Artisan. (Decisive Treatise, p.1)”

Ibn Rushd simply uses logic here, so he takes things a step further and states, “-and if the Law has recommended and urged consideration of existing things, then it is evident that what this name indicates is either obligatory or recommended by the Law. That the Law calls for consideration of existing things by means of the intellect and for pursuing cognizance of them by means of it is evident from various verses in the Book of God. There is His statement, ‘Consider, you who have sight.’ [59:2]; this is a text for the obligation of using both intellectual and Law-based syllogistic reasoning. And there is His statement, ‘Have they not reflected upon the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth and what things God has created?’ [7:185]; this is a text urging reflection upon all existing things. (Decisive Treatise, p.2)”

By using verses of the Quran, the only way a Muslim can refute this, is by concocting a different interpretation. Although, Ibn Rushd has used explicit verses, so it wouldn’t be easy, but I guess people have the habit of coming up with their opinions and then validating them through the use of the Book of God.

At this point, it should be evident to anyone in doubt of allowing syllogistic reasoning, logic, and philosophy among religion, that it is not only allowed, but also, obligatory. How valuable is a person’s faith if it has never been tested? Just as a person’s value increases with struggle, so is a person’s faith. How pleased would God be if a person believed out of habit or out of fear? Do they really believe or is it a culture they’re stuck in? Imam Ali, the successor to the Prophet Muhammad, has said, “Learn your religion, do not inherit it.” How else do you learn if it is not through logic and reasoning?

I understand people’s apprehension to delving into philosophical discussion. It’s scary, to closely examine beliefs you hold dear, because what if it’s been wrong this whole time? You would think you’d want to know that, but it’s not easy to flip everything you’re familiar with, even if it’s the logical thing to do. The affinity for our beliefs may cloud our judgment, as our emotions do the majority of the time, but this is exactly where the belief in Islam is important, because it obligates and invites Muslims to dictate its validity using logic. Muslims aren’t supposed to believe because their parents believe in Islam or because a person they respect believes in Islam, it should be based on logic. If it isn’t, the instant their faith is threatened by a type of questioning, their faith is likely to fall apart, and because we live in a time where Muslims are under scrutiny, this is all too common.

Parents should be aware of the fact that while it is comforting to raise your children Muslim, children should also have the opportunity to delve a little deeper using syllogistic reasoning and demonstration and parents should give them the space to do that. If their children are not interested in proving their own faith, they should give a little nudge because as discussed, Islam calls for it. Unfortunately, the general Muslim population is ill informed in believing that religion and philosophy or logic are incompatible and even further believing it is forbidden (haram). As a Muslim community, we need to be more accepting of rationalism. I, personally have never encountered bigotry or an adult telling me to blindly believe but I am aware that not everyone is as fortunate. Growing up, when I had questions, my parents answered them for me. In recent years I questioned God’s existence and the nature of God’s Mercy often, and no one around me was ever upset, in fact, my dad went insofar as to tell me that he was happy that I was asking questions.

If a person truly has faith, demonstration should not scare them. As Ibn Rushd perfectly states, “Since the Law is true and calls to the reflection leading to cognizance of the truth, we, the Muslim community, know firmly that demonstrative reflection does not lead to differing with what is set down in the Law. For truth does not oppose truth, it agrees with and bears witness to it. (Decisive Treatise, p.9)” Logic is a means to reach truth, and to thereby validate it.

In order to make logic, syllogistic reasoning, demonstration, and philosophy more inviting to the mass Muslim public, we need to find ways to break it down in doses, because surely it is not necessary to know the nooks and crannies of these practices to be a dutiful Muslim. The Muslim community needs to be educated just enough to be informed and to make well-informed decisions about how each should live their day-to-day lives. Just as a sick patient’s next of kin needs to be completely well informed before making any medical decisions that will impact the patient’s life, the Muslim community needs to be well informed about their religious beliefs before they waste any more time, because what if there is a more perfect belief system out there? How proud can a person be of their beliefs without having had a look at others or even a more in-depth look at their own? It’s very satisfying to know that you’ve searched all you can and have delved as deep as you could and still, have finalized at the belief of Islam. It’s contenting.

We should be aware that there are so called “Muslims” out there who will not follow the dictates of logic, that is people who are followers of ISIS or the Taliban, and the like. It is in our best interest to stay away from them. There are people of lesser degrees that still won’t give reason a chance, at that point we should try our best and make a decision on whether it is worth trying to push the value of logic onto them. Of course, not in an intrusive way, but calmly which is easy to accomplish since being calm comes naturally when you know you’re right.

All in all, I believe complicated philosophical discussion and debate should be practiced and studied by the Muslim community. I believe the Muslim community should realize that it is not only important and recommended, but also obligatory. It isn’t a far-fetched idea, we reason constantly, it is impossible not to. Ibn Rushd’s argument is concise and a perfect approach to explaining the value of rational exercises like philosophy, demonstration, syllogistic reasoning, and logic. The Muslim community is moving more towards rational thought as time passes, whether we like it or not, because the differences between now and the time of the Prophet are already stark, and the two eras will only continue to diverge.

#your opinion on the debate is very much welcomed!#if you are willing to take a look at this and let me know what you think #i may or may not be discussing this a philosophy conference in february #God bless you #much appreciated #please and thank you #philosophy #kalaam #islamic philosophy #philosophy of religion

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howwelldoyouknowyourmoon · 4 years

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My advice on leaving the Unification Church

I was never a true believer in the Unification Church. Don’t get me wrong, I was extremely religious. I went to youth group, attended plenty of workshops throughout the US and abroad, made sure to start off each day with morning Hoon Dok Hae, did conditions, fundraised, and I even taught the Divine Principle. My greatest desire was to be a true believer. The thing is… it never felt right. I loved Rev. Moon and I found the Divine Principle to be extremely logical, but that didn’t mean he was the messiah nor did it mean the Divine Principle was true. I prayed, I fasted, I studied, I took cold showers, I witnessed, I helped the youth in the Church… yet none of this made Moon’s claims true to me. This odd conviction of Moon not being the messiah constantly weighed on my heart.

One day I finally took a step back to look at the Church. I put down the pressure of my friends and family and this odd relationship I believed I had with Rev. Moon and I just looked at the Unification Church for what it was. It was then when I realized what a mess I was in. It took a long time to find peace with the Unification Church and to find out who I was. The pain of realizing my own deception was excruciating. During these days of doubt and departure I was told the following by friends, family, and church elders:

“It’s a spiritual thing. Evil Spirit World is attacking God’s precious Blessed Children.”

“You need to improve your relationship with your parents. Your lack of obedience with them is disturbing your vertical connection.”

“Are you on drugs?”

“Did you ‘fall’?”

“You want to leave because you are guilty of your sins. You have to deal with them eventually.”

“You don’t have a deep understanding of the Divine Principle.”

I had a lot of bogus spiritual advice and accusations. What I really needed at the time was advice, guidance, and conversation with those who were in similar positions. I did not know at the time, but plenty of people were in the same position. Here are some words of “wisdom” for any BC who desires to leave the church.

Have friends. Do not avoid having close relationships with “outsiders” and MAKE FRIENDS. A lot of BCs have a supremacist view of BCs even after losing faith. The truth is, you can have a relationship with just as much depth with a non-BC then with a BC. I am puzzled by how many who let go of the UC belief system but continue to drown themselves in UC culture and limit their friendships with non-believers. It is true that it is easier to make friends with other UC members because of our similar backgrounds but you are limiting yourself if you only expose yourself to and acquaint yourself with a single culture/social circle. Making friends outside the UC will help tear down your fears and anxieties of the “outside world”, open your mind and force you to re-examine your understandings and ideas, and give you the strength to take a step outside the UC. Plus, there are a lot of cool people who are not in the UC. Please do not limit your social life to a bunch of half-Asian people who know the meaning of ansu and indemnity.

Value your experiences in the UC. You were raised in it and there is nothing you can do about that now. Maybe you did a few years of STF, a couple 40 Days in Cheongpyeong, had a broken blessing, and never got around to getting a girlfriend in high school… do not let those experiences of pain sour your existence but instead let these experience enrich your life. Pull value out of your experiences and do not let resentment consume your life. It is great to be passionate against the UC–I sure as hell am–but do not let this passion get in the way of effectively exposing the UC for what it is. Contribute an article to HWDYKYM, join the Ex-Moonies group on facebook, have an honest conversation with a BC friend–share your experiences and use it to edify others. Your desire to work against the UC should not be solely out of a raging hatred of the UC but also out of a desire to help others not be deceived like you were and help others get out of that deception.

Treat members with respect. Even if they can be illogical and can frustrate you, deal with it because you were there once too. Do not become self-righteous and begin to believe you are at all better than members of the UC. The UC is extremely deceptive and the nature of man is extremely weak. Be understanding. Be loving. Be compassionate. Do not maintain friendships with BCs in order to be an activist. Your conversations with BC friends should not just be about how hypocritical Moon’s affairs were or how corrupt the Church can be. They are still your friends and they are still people. Have respect for your fellow man.

Understand why you do not believe in Moon. I am not asking you to spend hours doing research every day on UC History and the errors of the Divine Principle. Before really cutting ties with the UC, though, I would encourage you to understand why Reverend Moon cannot possibly be the Messiah. Maybe you should pick up the Divine Principle and read through it fully. When I came out as a non-believer my parents asked me to re-read the DP. I did so with much hesitance but as I read through it I realized how incompatible it was with Moon’s lifestyle of sexual affairs and corrupt politics. I had a fuller understanding of why I could never believe in Rev. Moon or Unificationist theology. Know why you do not believe in Rev. Moon so you can confidently walk out and so you can defend your beliefs when criticized by your family and other believers.

There are others in your position. You are not alone. There are plenty of BCs who have shaky beliefs or are in the UC out of fear and pressure. There are plenty of BCs in the closet with their own doubts and unbelief. There are plenty of people to talk to and share your experiences with. Those BCs who aren’t really hardcore or flaunt their faith in True Parents at workshops are usually closeted nonbelievers. Open up with a friend who may be in that position. Plus, there are plenty of outlets on the internet to connect to freethinkers who were at one point associated with the UC.

Basically, find out what you believe, live your own life, value your past, get connected to other non-believing BCs, and open up your world to those you considered “outsiders”. Leaving may seem impossible but believe me when I say it is not. And when you’re cut off from the legalistic belief system and the pressure of the Movement, you will feel freedom.

MLP

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Writings of former Unification Church / FFWPU members Many recount their experiences in the organization or their journeys out of it

Statement of Diane Devine submitted to the Fraser Committee

Scared of Leaving?

Allen Tate Wood on Sun Myung Moon and the UC

Young-oon Kim – it all ended in flames and tears for the professor

Cult Indoctrination – and the Road to Recovery

Fun with numbers – MLP

Hyun Jin Preston Moon violence at the New Yorker Hotel – MLP

What I Really Learned from My UC Experience – MLP

Sad Stories: The Death of David Ang – MLP

Buying Moon a Shiny New Rolls Royce – MLP

#Unification Church #Divine Principle #FFWPU #Sun Myung Moon #Hak Ja Han #MLP

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elibasila · 4 years

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5: a search for the indefinite

astrology n stuff

Background -

I wanted to look into astrology, specifically analyze/observe why there is such value held in that field of knowledge, especially within communities that I’m involved in. I wanted to see if astrology’s relationship with spirituality had a profound effect on certain people and why it has such an effect in the first place. In my own personal views I believe myself to be an agnostic person (with a very healthy dose of fear/curiosity in the supernatural and spiritual practices) who has a lot of history with the Protestant church, and christianity in general (of which I don’t believe anymore). However, relating to how I usually interact with astrology/most notably the zodiac I usually don’t take astrology as seriously as many others do, and don’t find significant purpose within, but am extremely willing and excited to learn about the diverse range of esoteric practices/beliefs. Even within the past couple years I’ve been at college and have progressed more in higher education I find myself seeking out and trying to understand fringe/esoteric practices/groups, so within this practice I’d like to further understand a popular concept within my own queer communities. So I wanted to analyze my own position/status within the structure of astrology (figure out my sun, moon and rising signs and see how I feel about them), while also investigating why this concept is such a popular one within the queer community.

Practice 1 -

A while ago I downloaded CoStar which is an app that keeps track of your astrological cycles and signs (in a very detailed manner) and also gives daily or weekly horoscopes as well as letting you link up with your friends’ signs and cycles as well. I gave them the proper information to find my sign(s) which are: Taurus Sun, Aries Moon, and a Rising Leo.

With that in mind I skimmed through the app’s information on my signs and the overall cycles, most of which the overall cycles I didn’t understand like the House systems. According to the app and to others who’ve shared their views on my signs, their perspective on my personality was as follows:

I have romantic tendencies in relationships (lmao)

I’m a stable, home bodied person

I prioritize comfort above all else

I’m associated and connected most with the Earth/nature

The signs that are most compatible with my Sun sign is: Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces, and the least compatible sign are: Leo and Aquarius

I’m the most practical, efficient and hard working person ever

I’m extremely stubborn and possessive and stuck in my ways/rigid

Now personally I think that my star signs or the perceptions associated with them weren’t really accurate to myself (in my own perspective) and to what I remember or identify with my daily behavior and thoughts. I can understand some of them like my need for comfort and stability, which strongly reminds me that I am the type of person who won’t go out of their way, or really try to be ambitious as I like being comfortable, even if it potential stagnancy.

However, the ones that I disagree with most would have to be my star signs association with how people viewed me as a romantic partner. To be clear, I am asexual (as far as I know) and have been in one prior relationship before, which totals my romantic experience to one, so maybe I haven’t experienced enough to say that these assumptions aren’t true. But, I do know myself well enough (even if my hormone levels are in 2nd puberty right now) to know that I am definitely not (and never was) a ‘romantic’ person, and my love language is far from the conventional methods of professing love/affection. I’m a very quiet person, who hates a lot of physical affection/contact and quite regularly will avoid any physically intimate awkward situations as I’m also unsure of how to function in traditionally romantic relationships/scenerios.

Another assumption that I believe to be inaccurate was my association with rigidness and being ‘stuck in my ways’, as I feel that I may function on a rigid routine but my way of thinking has been very fluid and loose over time. I’ve changed more in 2 years than in the past 18 years of my life as I’ve been put in a lot of different situations/places I wasn’t raised in/unfamiliar with, and I feel adaptability kind of weighs out my own rigidity/inflexibility.

Practice 2 -

Thinking about my past experiences in exclusively queer situations/spaces I’ve noticed a majority of the people I heard would reference astrology, their astrological signs and others’ astrological signs a lot (like a lot). And at first I thought it was more of an inside joke because I myself didn’t know what they talking about (as I didn’t know what all the signs were in first place) and then quickly realized that when I would interact with some people in a dating space (like Tinder, Bumble, just talking with potential romantic partners) they would ask about it (in a serious manner). I realized even quicker that a lot of people mainly want to know these sort of things so that they can judge the compatibility of a potential relationship (or an existing relationship). And there are some who go a little further and completely avoid others who have incompatible signs with their own (or signs they just don’t plain like) and/or drop the person they were talking to when they’d learn their sign.

So initially, this was very confusing to me and I didn’t really get it (honestly I still don’t really get it), as I didn’t understand the logic of astrology’s relationship with ‘relationships’ and what the consequences were. So I did what anyone else would do and I looked it up, and I’ll link below some of the articles that I found most interesting on this topic.

https://www.them.us/story/queer-skeptics-who-reject-astrology

http://www.newnownext.com/queer-lgbtq-astrology-horoscope-stars/01/2019/

https://www.autostraddle.com/believe-it-or-not-only-28-of-queer-women-believe-in-astrology-but-50-check-their-horoscopes-anyway-434287/

https://mashable.com/2018/05/04/astrology-lgbtq-stars-resurgence-diverse-voices/

https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/trending/stuff-gay-people-like-astrology/

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/evgg9a/the-rise-of-the-queer-astrology-movement

https://hellogiggles.com/lifestyle/importance-astrology-online-queer-communities/

After reading these articles it started to make more and more sense as to why queer/LGBT+ communities/people tend to gravitate more towards astrology. A lot of the queer community has been historically (and in the present day) rejected and pushed out of organized religious spaces, especially during their formative years. I would think that this would definitely have a profound effect on many people’s relationship with spirituality, coping and their search to make sense of the world they’re in. A lot of what I’ve heard and felt is the need to be able to make sense of things, to be able to find something that can give meaning/purpose or clarity especially when you’re part of a marginalized community who’s suffered a lot of trauma associated with religion/spirituality. There’s also the flip-side to that coin of the believers vs the non-believers who believe that it’s counter-productive or harmful to believe in these things like astrology. Within the first article they cite that it makes queer people an easy target to be taken advantage of, and that their money can be easily cheated by preying on people who are already disadvantaged.

There’s also the real concern, and issue of white people (white queer/LGBT+ people) appropriating indigenous and non-Western spirituality practices/beliefs and how they can/are wildly misinterpreted. That a lot of non-native/white queer people use these practices/beliefs as “magical solutions to real problems”. The rampant misuse/misinterpretation of indigenous/non-white practices/beliefs can spread a lot of misinformation and potentially hurt queer communities of color that have been historically ostracized/discriminated against for their own cultures’ beliefs.

With these topics about spirituality and religious practices there are complex intersections especially when talking about the queer community and how those intersect with race, ethnicity and identity. I don’t think there’s a definitive answer as to why queer people gravitate towards it, but there are definitely real/valid observations being made that are happening in relation to non-Western esoteric practices/beliefs. With these intersections in mind thinking about my own relationship to spirituality, and the search for the indefinite.

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jeremyfrechette · 6 years

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lies told about conservatives -

1) Conservatives are racist! Shall I quote the blissful bigotry of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton, or any slew of “socially conscious” crusaders; celebrities included? If I may, which party was founded as the anti-slavery party, ended Jim Crows and spearheaded the legislative movements for citizenship, suffrage and equal rights? Here’s a hint…it doesn’t rhyme with “rat”! Conservatives welcome all races and colors in our quest to defend and preserve America’s founding ideals. Likewise, we unilaterally reject divisive victimization rhetoric used solely to incite animosity along socio-economic lines for political gain. Although racism exist in all facets of America, such hateful attitudes are infectious and only invite future bigotry upon yourself, your peers and your loved ones. Progress is not measured by the number of times race is invoked or celebrated. It is personified by the number of lives liberated from its requirement. Why again would “racist” Republicans support Allen West, Ben Carson, Dinesh D’Souza, Mia Love, Condoleezza Rice and Marco Rubio, let alone spread the transcendent wisdom of Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. or Thomas Sowell? Refusing to support a rformer President’s spiteful, anti-American agenda doesn’t make anyone a racist, regardless of their heritage or political affiliation. It makes one increasingly cognizant of the destructive aftermath such deep-seated prejudice inevitably brings.

2) Conservatives are sexist! Naturally, because conservatives don’t have mothers, wives or daughters, nor do they care about their well being. We decry discrimination against either gender, detest violence against women in any form, and support equal rights and pay for all women. Conservatives simply reject the regressive agenda of modern feminism which seeks injustice where none exists – “psychological trauma” inflicted by patriarchal images, the sexism of “mansplaining” or the “rape culture” of “manspreading”, gender identity conditioning of children, free birth control and taxpayer funded abortions, the so-called prosecutable sexual paradox of “yes” means “no” – as a means of degrading the masculine image and traditional role of men in society. This adopted brand of radical activism ensures reverse discrimination by attempting to validate such absurd demands to the detriment of both society and all reasonable, responsible women that desire nothing more than equal opportunity and treatment under the law. Self-respecting women do no want to be coddled, made to feel hopeless and therefore given an emotionally crippled crutch of contempt. Whether pursuing a career of or raising a family full time, they deserve the right to live the life of their choosing without discrimination or the crass exploitation of bitter gender fascists. Parading around in public topless, shouting obscenities and performing vulgar acts doesn’t make you enlightened, let alone noteworthy. It makes you the willing subject of your own stupidity. Empowerment, much like equal rights, doesn’t illicit hatred or reject accountability.

3) Conservatives are Nazi “extremists”! Unless you passed a concentration camp on the way to work, hauled the smelted gold taken from numbered corpses, this is nothing more than media driven hysteria designed to justify progressive policies that are incompatible with our founding ideals, or better yet, common sense. You do realize Adolf Hitler, the infamous leader of the Third Reich, was a rabid German socialist who denounced individuality, capitalism, Christianity, and free speech? He also advocated imprisoning or executing political dissidents and all inferior ethnicities. Do you know what other fascist movement harbors almost identical beliefs? Progressivism. Conservatives aren’t the ones silencing intellectual diversity on campuses, clamoring for state-run media, physically attacking Trump supporters, rioting in the streets over a free election result, singling out Christian businesses for prosecution, mocking traditional values or publicly demonizing white Americans. Liberal fascism, the once fringe element that officially hijacked the Democratic party in 2008, is now the single greatest threat to liberty, tolerance, due process, prosperity, and the survival of America. Considering the Nazis sought absolute control and conservatives loathe intrusive, unilateral government, this accusation is about as wise as a transgender Jewish man asking to be circumcised by a Muslim butcher before he uses the little girls restroom. “Halal No” or until hell freezes over, the left is by far the greatest embodiment of extremism in America today. When the end justifies the means, truth is of no consequence.

4) Conservatives oppose immigration! Hardly. America was founded as a beacon of hope for all races, creeds and colors. On the contrary, we rightfully object to the pardoned excuses of “illegal” immigration and the mass influx of untraceable “refugees”. Not supporting our immigration laws, those protocols every civilized nation enacts and enforces, is a slap in the face to every man, woman and child who immigrated to America legally, not to mention those 3,000 victims who died on 9/11. Abandoning our borders, not shielding citizens from criminally and medically unvetted threats, is a dereliction of duty and a clear and present danger to our country’s sovereignty and security. Encouraging, dare I say “engineering”, illegal immigration solely to win elections and demographically override our founding principles is nothing short of treason. Despite such disingenuous ploys, all are welcome who respect our sovereignty and complete the process afforded by law. Perhaps someday activists will understand this “revolutionary” concept when sentenced to decapitation by an Islamic tribunal or while picketing corporations in the progressive soup lines of socialism.

5) Conservatives are gun fanatics! Like our forefathers, we unequivocally embrace people’s right to defend themselves against all forms of tyranny; Thomas Jefferson’s most profound reason for preserving our right to bear arms. Gun violence isn’t a disease but a sociological symptom that reflects a parenting failing and an obvious psychological disconnect. Rather than addressing the obvious moral erosion infecting our communities – an endeavor Hollywood has worked overtime to achieve by mocking our religious values – progressives are content exploiting national tragedies to justify their insatiable desire to repeal the Second Amendment. Not only is gun confiscation historically the final lynch pin to uncontested subjugation, gun control does little to deter those who truly want to harm others; especially when you realize both the Oklahoma City Bombing and 9/11 were carried out without a single shot being fired. Every day firearms deter crime and save far more lives than the soulless of any disturbed individual. You can no more regulate human nature than an inanimate object can pull its own trigger and be convicted for murder. When mass death is the ultimate goal, the weapon of choice is moot for people will always find a vessel to deliver their wrath. The fact these mass shootings rarely occurred 50 or even 25 years ago is a costly reminder that parents, schools and our elected leaders have failed to instill our children with the proper values and universal respect for their fellow man. The question isn’t why do so many citizens own a gun. The question is why are so many comfortable ending a human life? Leaving decent, law-abiding Americans helpless against thugs, terrorists and aspiring dictators is never the answer; it’s the broken promise of armed regret.

6) Conservatives hate the poor! Of course…because we never get sick, lose our jobs or struggle to provide for our families. Sorry but poverty doesn’t discriminate and any President that doesn’t create jobs, lower taxes and eliminate waste is no friend of the American people. One of the benefits of living in a nation as resourceful as America is the financial assistance available to those in need. Nearly all people struggle, require assistance time to time, and there is no shame in that. And yes, Americans are a compassionate and generous people. However, Conservatives take great umbrage with those smug parasites who view welfare as a career opportunity and conspire incessantly to defraud the system when they should treat such blessings as a stepping stone to reclaim their life. Stealing bread from the mouth of honest labor – those taxpayers who have watched the number of welfare recipients and the national debt nearly double since 2008 – is a slap in the face to all hard-working Americans, as well as those families that struggle with real misfortune and lingering disabilities. Everyone owes it to themselves, their family and their country to find a job. A paycheck is a means to a means, a self-sustaining gateway to a better life, whereas welfare is a meal ticket to endless dependence, debt and discontent. For when the fog of propaganda and entitlement clears, no economic system has liberated more people from the clutches of poverty than capitalism; that independent engine of ambition most synonymous with liberty, prosperity, and human discovery. However, please note, and much to the chagrin of Marxists everywhere, capitalism only works if you do! A healthy work ethic is the fastest path to personal success.

7) Conservatives are religious radicals! Clearly. What’s the terrorist score card of the century? Which religion has never had a reformation? Yet again, this is but another baseless claim designed to insight fear, hate and paranoia at the expense of dispelling dangerous misconceptions. America, Western Civilization, was founded upon Judeo-Christian ideals; a fact liberals malicious muddle, twist and insistently attempt to discredit. Opposing abortion – the death of a human being even in its most glorified state – or rejecting Gay Marriage – the political corruption of a “religious” institution in Western Society which threatens the family dynamic – hardly makes us harbingers of hate or the equivalent of Islamic militants; those extremists who deny women basic human rights and kill gays for merely existing. As ardent constitutionalists, Christian conservatives advocate the tolerance of all competing beliefs that coincide with our founding values. No, Christianity is not perfect or without historical indignities. Christians simply learned killing in the name of God was a fruitless endeavor that undermined every tenet of their faith. What we absolutely refuse to condone is empowering those ideologies that violate people’s natural born rights, i.e. Sharia Law, or threaten our founding values to the debasement of our culture and national ethos. Not all laws are just or justified; not all boundaries are meant to be broken.

8) Conservatives are war mongers! Yes, because once again, Conservatives, those who are most likely to serve their country or volunteer for during times of crisis, do not have families who sacrifice and grieve so that “We the People” many live free from harm and bask in those liberties so often denied to millions across the globe. Like all Americans, Conservatives detest war and view it as an absolute last resort of recourse. That being said, we do not live in a world were evil does not exist and circumstance can rely on the unwavering good nature of our fellow man. To unconditionally reject military intervention regardless of the prevailing circumstances is the equivalent of watching a rape across the street and doing nothing about it. Frankly, when did we stop caring? The question all liberals should be asking themselves, and that of the entire civilized world, is why aren’t more nations and leaders taking a stand against mass injustice and depravity? No, America cannot be the savior of the free world or right all wrongs of humanity. We simply must refuse to be the doormat of tyranny and criminal apathy. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

9) Conservatives hate the environment! I’d love to indulge this popular progressive fairy tale, but we too drink from the sources of water, breathe the same air, and educate our children about the ravages of pollution. Rather, conservatives refuse using science fiction as to implement unnecessary regulations, collect more taxes, solely to expand government and claim more austerity over our everyday lives. The same bureaucrats who can’t balance their checkbook, protect our borders, or give the people a straight answer, want to control every aspect of your life out of the goodness in their hearts. No, right-minded Americans aren’t fearful of science, anything but, for we eagerly embrace its universal necessity, power and wonder. What we don’t accept is a political alarmist, i.e., a pseudo scientist named Al Gore and his celebrity salesmen, proclaiming the Arctic ice shelf would cease to exist within a decade and that the entire city of New York would become the lost ruins of Atlantis due to the impending catastrophe known as climate change. Sadly, not to spoil the inconvenient truth about his “D” in Natural Sciences, or his six figure speaker fees, glacier coverage of the planet is now as prominent as it was 20 years ago and the Yankees have yet to give away floaties during a single promotion. Bummer.

As firm believers in empirical data, reputable science, conservatives recognize the existence of global cooling and warming; we merely view both as natural climatic cycles that far outweigh the shameless ploys of politicians. Now that’s not to say mankind has no negative impact on the environment, bio diversity or even global temperatures. I have no doubt whatsoever. It’s just that our presence pales in comparison to the mercurial power of the sun and the instinctive reflux of mother nature. After all, if the truth be known, one of the hottest years ever recorded in our nation’s history occurred in the 19th century during pre-industrialized America. Believe it or not, just as many if not more conservatives live off the land, utilize nature for recreation, and tirelessly work to protect and preserve the source of their greatest blessing…their preferred way of life. Protecting our environment against corporate waste and individual apathy is nonnegotiable. Listening to those politicians who manipulate scientific data for political and financial gain, on the other hand, is entirely optional.

10) Conservatives are out of touch! Or perhaps we’re painfully astute of history and vigilant to the ides of tyranny. As the proud torchbearers of the timeless ideals America was founded upon – individual liberty, limited government, God, hard work, accountability and duty – conservatives pose the biggest threat to the globalist agenda: a secular, soulless paradigm of mass conformity and institutionalized dependence. Progressivism cannot survive without inciting distrust, division and discord to conceal the truth from low information voters; those vulnerable souls most easily cajoled by such sensationalist propaganda. Any ideology that cannot stand on its own merits and is counter-intuitive to the Constitution – statism, Socialism, and Marxism – is inherently radical and a tangible threat to our way of life. If I may, how are any of these philosophies remotely synonymous with our founding creed, not to mention the supreme law of the land? Historically speaking, one must work far more diligently to protect a lie than to simply speak on the behalf of self-evident truths. Conservatives believe, and freely attest, man’s natural born rights are derived from a divine creator and not ransomed by the “benevolence” of centralized despots. At its most rudimentary core, our elected government has three fundamental duties: to protect our lives and liberties, to honor and uphold the prescribed limitations of the Constitution, and to provide transparency in all its dealings. I’m sad to report the corrupt cesspool of polarized bureaucrats known as Washington have egregiously failed on all three accounts. Defending the ideological cornerstones America was erected upon doesn’t make conservatives “extreme” or detached in any sense of the word. It makes our detractors hopelessly ignorant, toxic and irrefutably malicious.

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