Elevating Truth to Conscience

An education for freedom is the
only sort appropriate for social
coexistence among men.

From whence comes man's liberty, God or government?  I do not suppose there is a more relevant question that each must consider.  For if it comes from God then man should not be allowed to violate it.  If it comes from God, we should not allow ourselves to violate the liberty of others, lest we be judged an offense to God.  If it comes from government, on the other hand, then liberty as professed in our nation's Declaration of Independence is not an unalienable right; it is not a right to which we are privy by virtue of our humanity.  If not unalienable, then we are all subject to violation by our neighbor. 

Given that so many Americans unapologetically appeal to government to violate other people's liberty, there should be no doubt that the predominant cultural perception is that liberty comes from government and not from God.  Of course, this perspective flies in the face of the revolutionary claims of America's founders and the abolitionist arguments against slavery; yet most, as far as I can tell, persist in their national pledge of allegiance to liberty and justice for all.  That allegiance, as modern public law and sentiment so clearly manifest, amounts to nothing more than mere empty words. 

Because government is comprised of men who are elected to represent the people, liberty that comes from government is granted by men and that which is granted by men can be taken away by men.  To get elected, most politicians promise to violate the liberty of some to compensate the need, misfortune, and failure of others.  As all are subject to need, misfortune, and failure, Americans, for fear of the uncertain consequences of their liberty and its corresponding justice, have sacrificed national ideals for a greater sense of security, particularly one dependent on the productive efforts of others rather than themselves.  Consequently, today's Americans believe one person's need, misfortune, or failure exacts a greater claim to another person's income and property than him who actually earned the income and property.  But if a person's lack entitles to another's abundance, for what ought he labor?  Have we not elevated his need above ownership and productive contribution?  Moreover, have we not used government to affirm theft and covetousness, despite God's law?  Are such policies not a rejection of God, liberty, and justice for the proposed security of men?

While the sense of entitlement predominates America's culture, I am proposing an alternative for families who desire more for themselves, their children, and their country, namely an education for freedom.  An education for freedom is the only sort appropriate for social coexistence among men.  Those educated for freedom do not claim an unearned right to the person or property of others.  They respect the freedom of others just as they hope their freedom will be respected.  While our entitlement culture instills a right to violate others to satisfy needs and desires, communities established to promote freedom consider it an unalienable right bestowed by God, not to be infringed by man.  But why would God grant such freedom?  What are we to do with freedom?  Must one learn to control himself to be free?  The answers to these inquiries and many others come with an education for freedom. 

I am currently working to establish small group sessions for families that hunger and live for truth.  Booker T. Washington explained that education is meant to give us an idea of truth.  "Unless you have got truth," he insisted, "you have failed in your purpose to be educated."  While still a junior at Morehouse College, Martin Luther King, Jr. realized that education should teach us to think effectively upon worthy objectives.  He concluded, "It is not enough to know truth, but we must love truth and sacrifice for it."  As God is truth, I love truth, I have sacrificed for truth, and I am seeking others who share my affection and recognize the folly of our cultural sense of entitlement; it's impossible to deserve the unearned.  As our numbers increase, I hope to start a private school based on values of liberty to instill the beauty and reverence of truth in our youth and our families.  Progress updates and opportunities to get involved will be reflected on this website.