Freedom and Morality Intertwined

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The following is from my recent book: "Promises of the Constitution: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow". Written in 1 ½ page vignettes, each can be read in 3-5 minutes. “Promises of the Constitution” teaches our inspired history, founders, and constitutional principles in short, story-filled segments. Changes to the Constitution and actions to restore both the inspired document and our prosperity and peace under its protection are explained.

IN THE CONSTITUTION:

 The following is vignette 7.7 in

Promises of the Constitution: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

by

Pamela Romney Openshaw

 FREEDOM AND MORALITY INTERTWINED

 Morality and virtue are indispensible to freedom. Without them, we lose our liberties.

 Listen to the Founding Fathers:

John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral . . .people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Benjamin Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt . . . they have more need of masters.”

 Virtue and integrity define our moral code—our beliefs of right and wrong. Without those beliefs, concepts of good and evil do not exist. There is no incentive to treat others fairly, to obey law, or to tell the truth. Honor becomes irrelevant and any self-serving scheme can be justified if there is no punishment for it. An immoral person will rob, steal, or even take life if it can be done without consequence.

 Because of our moral beliefs, we care about others and value their well­being. We are tender at the pain of another, and we take care not to prolong or increase the pain. We are inclined to give and desire good for others. Our morality makes us want freedom for all of us and not just for ourselves.

 Good government is not possible among people who do not understand right and wrong. Anarchy would reign, and there would be no freedom, no justice, no protection, and no rights. The “law of the jungle” would prevail. No sane, thinking person would advocate such a world!

 Freedom, morality, and virtue are synonymous ideas. The more moral we are, the less law we need and the more free we are. For example, if most people are honest in their dealings, fewer laws are needed to control theft. If most financial institutions are fair and upright with their customers, only basic government oversight is necessary. If most manufacturers act with integrity and offer their goods at fair prices, few regulations are needed to protect consumers.

 The Founders’ political rules made morality and the basic knowledge of religious principles central to society. They wrote and discussed this copiously for decades. The Framers could not and would not conceive of government without the constant influence of God and virtue.

 Our collective belief in God is the source of our virtue. We are moral when we follow God’s laws. If we do not follow God’s laws, political forces will step in to fill that vacuum and impose laws upon us. William Penn, founder of colonial Pennsylvania, explained: “Men will either be governed by God, or ruled by tyrants.”

Calvin Coolidge, United States president, wrote: “We do not need more law, we need more religion.” Elsewhere, he reiterated: “Our government rests upon religion ...There is no way ...we can substitute the authority of law for the virtue of men . . . Peace, justice, humanity, charity—these cannot be legislated into being.”

 If we wish for greater freedom, it makes sense to strive for greater morality and virtue. Dedicated church leaders of all denominations the world over address our current problems in society with calls for greater morality—knowing right from wrong and living by what we know.

Speaking of God’s law, Proverbs 29:18 tells us: “[H]e that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Not only are we happier when we keep God’s law, but we require less of man’s law.

 

- Pam