The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns faith, religion, and spirituality. The Puritans were some of the first Europeans to come to America, and they made the voyage because they wanted to practice their religion in peace. Other people came searching for a peaceful place to live according to their religion. I believe that it is safe to say that religion has always been important in America. We know that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to every American.
Before I start the discussion, I desire to
define the words faith, religion, and spirituality. I believe
that it is critical to understand what each of these words mean. An internet
definition of faith is “complete trust or confidence in someone or something;
strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual
apprehension rather than proof.” Synonyms include trust, belief, confidence,
conviction, and expectation.
An internet definition of religion is
“a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a
personal God or gods; a particular system of faith and worship; a pursuit or
interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.” Synonyms include faith,
belief, divinity, worship, creed, teaching, doctrine, theology, religious
group, faith community, church, denomination, persuasion, and affiliation.
The same source gave this definition of spirituality:
“the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to
material or physical things.” There were no synonyms listed for this word.
Both Democrat and Republican conventions
spoke about faith and religion, and Kelsey Dallas wrote about the different
approaches being made to people of faith. “The Democrat and Republican national conventions each featured prayers,
pastors and multiple speakers saying, ‘God Bless America.’ But, in terms of
religion-related messaging, the similarities ended there.”
Dallas stated that the “Democrats focused
on Joe Biden’s personal faith and guiding values” because they wanted to
emphasize that he would bring moral leadership to the office. They obviously
think that Trump “has fallen short” in this category. They “appealed to
worshippers fed up with injustice and corruption.”
According to Dallas, the Republicans “spoke
more often and more directly about religious conflict and what faith communities
could lose if Trump leaves office next year.” Their emphasis was not on Trump’s
religious commitments, but it centered on “religion’s role in America’s
founding and attacked the Biden campaign’s faith-related claims.” They “spoke
to those who worry their way of life is under threat.”
Speakers at both conventions courted
religious voters because they “represent around two-thirds of those who are
registered to vote.” However, “they seemed to have very different listeners in
mind.”
Both Biden and Trump identify as “religious,”
but “many Americans are skeptical of their claims.” Biden claims to have been a
life-long faithful Catholic who “is guided by faith.” However, this same Biden
was caught numerous times plagiarizing speeches, or stealing the words and
ideas of other people. This same man has been accused of being a home wrecker by Bill Stevenson, the ex-husband of Jill Biden. Stevenson said that Joe and Jill began
an affair while Jill was still married to him.
In addition, Biden supports abortion “under any circumstances” and “for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy.”
His views on abortion are “increasingly extreme.” His parenting also comes into question because of the acts of Hunter Biden and
the rumors surrounding him. Hunter is reported to have entered an affair with
the widow of his dead brother Beau. He is also said to have fathered a child
out of wedlock with a stripper and then denied until a paternity test proved
his fatherhood. Then there is the whole thing about deals in Ukraine and China
where there are many questions about his honesty.
Many Never-Trumpers do not like Donald
Trump because they do not like his morals, or his lack of morals. Everyone
knows that Melania is Trump’s third wife, and he has been accused of cheating
on all of them. He has never denied nor agreed with the accusations. He also
has a foul mouth and says crude things. He is accused all the time of lying.
This information tells me that neither
Biden nor Trump can claim the high ground on moral character. Even though their
sins may be different, no one can claim that the sins of one are worse or
better than the other. I am a firm believer in the principle of repentance and
the basic fact that people can change and put their sins behind them.
I am not looking for a prophet of God to
become President of the United States, although I agree that it would be a
wonderful experience. I already have a divinely called prophet, seer, and revelator,
even Russel M. Nelson, to guide me spiritually. He is assisted by fourteen
other men who I also sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. In addition, I
have a stake president and a bishop to guide me spiritually.
I do not expect the next President of the
United States to be any better spiritually than the other presidents of my
lifetime. While John F. Kennedy was President, women came to the White House
for immoral activities. Lyndon B. Johnson was one of the most crude and gross
men ever elected to the office of President of the United States – and rumored
to be unfaithful to his wife. Bill Clinton had an affair in the Oval Office and
lied about it to Congress. I do not have the words to define how corrupt Barack
Obama is in my eyes. I feel certain that the other Presidents had just as many
sins.
I voted for Donald Trump in 2016 because
he promised to choose judges and justices who would protect and preserve the
Constitution. I took him at his word, and I have been pleased with the caliber
of judges and justices who have been confirmed.
I have been pleasantly surprised with many
of the accomplishments of Donald Trump. One of the greatest surprises is that
he has accomplished almost every single thing that he told us he would do. He
has kept his word to the American people.
I believe that Trump sincerely loves
America and Americans. He sees the greatness of America despite knowing that
there are some dark chapters in our history. He has given away every dollar of
salary paid to him over the past four years and has been said to have lost $3
million while serving as President.
I support Trump because he is pro-life. In
fact, he is the most pro-life President that I have known, and he is not afraid
to let the world know that he fights for Americans, born and unborn. He also
fights to keep taxpayer money from paying for abortions in America and in foreign
nations.
Most of all, I support Donald Trump
because he is not a pushover. Previous Republican presidents have stepped
backwards when Democrats pushed them, but Trump pushes back. He fights for what
is right for America and Americans. He fights to protect and preserve the
Constitution. He loves America, and he fights for the American people. I
believe that he willingly stands between America and the people/organizations
who are trying to destroy our American way of life.
There are many people in the world who
claim to be “religious.” Some of them do some terrible things in the name of
their “religion.” I am not impressed with people who claim to be religious but
have little spirituality. The policies of the Republican Party seem to me to
have more spirituality in them, such as fighting for the innocent unborn
children. He seems to be as concerned about the souls of Americans as their
physical circumstances.
Although I do not expect Donald Trump to
be my spiritual leader, I believe that he has more spirituality than Joe Biden.
I believe that he is more apt to seek guidance from Heavenly Father in making
decisions for the United States. He has my support for another four years
because I like his accomplishments over the past four years.
No comments:
Post a Comment