That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Excerpted from The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, in Congress, July 4, 1776.
Although I am an Orthodox Christian, that does not stop me from loving and respecting not only other Christians, but those of other faiths, or no faith. Although I am an American, my patriotism is not limited to the geographical or the cultural fifty United States, but upholds every land and culture of humanity, not as a citizen-worshipper of the 'one world' but as a member of the Kingdom of God, the only domain where men are truly free, truly equal, and truly brothers.
The spirit of all real revolutions comes from That Place, and leads us thither, and when the King of kings of kings returns, the One whom some call 'the Revolutionary', we will know for certain that He was behind this Declaration, as well as behind all true struggles waged since the beginning of time against unlawful authority, against Pharaoh in all its forms.
Happy Fourth of July, to all who know and love what is worth dying for, for God Himself did not back away from the Sacrifice.
1 comment:
Many thanks for forming American patriotism into what I would regard an Orthodox perspective. So often, I feel that love of America is regarded as the domain of the 'religious right,' or of Protestants generally. I have visited a few Orthodox blogs where America is harshly criticized; and there are some Orthodox bloggers who lean toward socialism. I am not getting political--but today is the Fourth and I applaud your courage to love America and Americans because as Christians we are commanded to love. So, why not love America? This is where we were born, or this is where we immigrated. I also love other countries and cultues. I place Christ, the Church, and the Bible first--but the Declaration of Independence is right behind them.
You were very brave to post this today. Not all Orthodox will agree with you.
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