Atheist, Christian, Muslim Ethos and Social Judgment Theory

As we are all aware, the zeitgeist of America is currently that of historical revisionism - especially when it comes to a fallacious view that "America was not founded as a Christian Nation, at best, it was found by Deists." Really? Then how have we gotten into our current geo-political struggle with Middle Eastern countries? Certainly some of the conflict is related to allegiances with Israel and more "moderate" Muslim Countries. (However, when as our Country slides more toward socialism and a watered down Christendom, it is easier to abandon those allegiances. Since Israel is the only true Democracy and a Jewish state, as the Ethos of America changes toward socialism and pluralism, well, it is much easier to abandon those who used to be like us.) Certainly some of the conflict has to do with oil and, at a very deep and sinister level, it might be believed that high-level government officials are in a high-stakes gamble because of their oil interests on both the American and the Arab sides. However, there is one other reality that no one seems to want to address that is just as much a reality. Liberal Politicians have paid it lip service, but only on the extreme negative end of the spectrum. That is the issue of religious foundations.

I find it rather ironic that liberals are adamant in their denial that America was not founded as a Christian Nation but when they want to project an understanding as to why the Arab (Muslim) Nations are against us, they want to use the Crusades. The Crusades are another way for them to reach back into antiquity and "show how evil Christianity is". Our current POTUS, Barak Obama so much as said so at the National Prayer Breakfast - which again, started out as "Christian" but has now become pluralistic. (Look at the History of the National Prayer Breakfast - http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1706090/The-Family#ref1102485  and http://www.washingtonstudentleadership.com/#!national-prayer-breakfast/cu0i ) In President Obama's defense, his 2013 prayer seemed strikingly "Christian" as he quotes both New and Old Testaments of the Bible (www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/07/remarks-president-national-prayer-breakfast ) And finally, I would like to set the record straight as to the horrors of the Crusades. Yes, war, in any day and age is terrible and there are some soldiers (on both sides) that do horrible things. But The Crusades are being used erroneously to paint all current Christians with one broad brush ( http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/mayweb-only/52.0.html?share=GcNwk5OSRquYLbiFtvo2wtnds8X66CSE )

Okay, enough with the external resources. Here is the reality: If America was NOT founded as a Christian (or Christendom Nation), then how did we get our start? Will Atheists now say that the "Pilgrims" were Deists at best but really Atheists that were trying to escape the control, oppression and persecution of the Church of England? No, the Pilgrims (even their very name implies a spiritual journey) were Protestants trying to get out from under the religious restrictions of King James I and King Charles I (okay, one more resource: http://www.history.com/topics/pilgrims ). It is this foundation that became the ethos of America. It was not until later that pluralism, which allowed for the rise of a more vocal Atheism to arise. (Try being an Atheist in a Muslim Country and see where that gets you.)

So, as you can see, our ethos is one major contributor that has gotten us into the predicament we are in today. This has not come about because "Christian America seeks to engage in another (truth distorted) Crusade". No. We are here because America has been a Freedom loving Country for Centuries. And where did this love of freedom come from? Where does the freedom come from that allows militant Atheists and Liberals to slander Christianity at best, and the name of Jesus at worse? It comes from the freedom that the Pilgrims and Puritans sought out. A freedom that they believe was rightfully given to them from God, namely the Judeo-Christian God that they worshiped. Ironically, it is this very freedom that the Atheist and Liberals (and even militant Muslims) are using to bash a previously Christian Nation. Yet, there is still the fact of Social Judgment Theory which basically can be summarized in a couple of different and useful ways to this discussion. Social Judgment can be thought of as, "An enemy of my enemy is my friend."

In or current geo-political struggles, it really boils down to freedoms, freedoms that ironically even the Liberals should support. Let's face it, the ethos of most (if not all) Arab countries is founded in Muslim roots. This means that their beliefs come from an interpretation (whether liberal, moderate or militant) of the Quran. These interpretations have shaped their societies, their governments and their laws. The more militant their interpretation, the more at odds it puts the United States and other freedom loving Countries at odds with these entities and Nations. For the most part, The United States has always stood against Tyrants and Dictators, though admittedly, politics is a messy game and we have also put some Tyrants and Dictators in power as a "lesser of two evils". Social Judgment Theory basically says this: On a scale from 1 - 10, 1 being a Muslim ethos of Sharia Law and 10 being a freedom loving individual Christian under Judeo-Christian ethos, the further apart from either number you are, the deeper the conflict. Now, let's say that you are a 7 on the scale, which means you are a "moderate Christian" (for the sake of argument). If a 4 or 5 on the scale pushes you to move more toward their position, the more you tend to dig into your current standing. However, if a 2 or 3 tries to force their position on you, you will actually move more toward an 8 or possibly even a 9.

So here is my point: IF America did not retain some semblance of a "Christian Ethos", we would be less inclined to engage in a conflict with Nations that are driven by a Muslim Ethos. This is dueto the fact that the further along the scale you go (1 - Sharia Law ethos to 10 - Judeo-Christian ethos), the more conflict you can have. 2's and 3's will side with 1's and 8's and 9's will side with 10's. (Admittedly, political decisions are not driven just by religious ethos. There are philosophical, political and humanitarian ethos' in the mix, but one has to ask what foundation those ethos' are built upon as well. For America, like it or not, as I have laid out above, much of our ethos' have been built upon Judeo-Christian values.)  Now the reality is that most policy makers tend to be along the lines of 4's and 5's and 6's and 7's. I am not saying this is a "bad thing" for there is beauty to be found in moderation where "cooler heads" prevail. The tension becomes exacerbated among the extremes (1's and 10's) when 6's seemingly slip down to a 4 or 4's seemingly slide up to a 6 in their host nations. I would say that this is the primary reason why we have such strong bi-partisanship in our current American politics. America is truly no longer a 10 on the Judeo-Christian ethos. We are probably more like a 7... and dwindling down.

In my mind, this explains a lot of what is going on in America, Western Countries and the World. Much of it is shaped by our current zeitgeist and foundational ethos - which is becoming more and more in conflict with each other. America is struggling to determine it's current identity in the world and is being "tossed about by the wind, like a wave in the ocean". We are being reminded of a shameful past (much of which is falsely construed under a liberal agenda) and this keeps us from moving forward. After all, who would want to move forward if they have been convinced that they were wrong? Some would argue that it is good that "Christendom is dying". There is a small bit of truth to that. However, with the "death of the child of Christendom" we must remember the insidious truth that soon to follow will be the death of the mother - Christianity. This is the true goal of militant Atheists, Muslims and Socialists. Atheists want freedom from (not of) religion. Muslims want freedom from a world where Jews and Christians (and Buddhists and Hindus and Shiite or Sunni's - depending which you are) exist. Socialists want freedom from the influence of The People where government is the primary caretaker of the Nation. This is why, in their mind, Christianity (not to be confused with Christendom) - the flagship of true freedom as Christ described - must die in the minds of militant (1's) Atheists, Muslims and Socialists.

Why Two Parents Are Better

If many people read this post, I know it will be an unpopular one, but the truth can often be unpopular. As a single dad of two, I have not only begun to appreciate the struggles of single parents - moms especially - I have also begun to realize the need for children to have two parents. I appreciate single moms all the more because, statistically, single moms tend to make less money then comparable men and of course, even less than a two-household income. Secondly, I have the perspective that as a man, there would be NO WAY I could pass on femininity to my daughter just as it would be impossible for a woman to pass on masculinity to a boy.

The other thing I feel like my boys miss out on is having a mom, not only so they can see a model of femininity, but because I feel like it benefits them to see how a man and a woman should treat each other. Frankly, I don't want them thinking they should treat a woman in a way comparable with "Fifty Shades of Grey". When it comes to dating, I am in a catch 22 situation. Between my work, trying to complete my Doctorate, trying to be involved in my boys' lives and other circumstances, dating is nearly impossible. EVERY day I seem to have the thought, "Where did my time go?!" Dating as a single dad is a difficult proposition, but that is another post for another time.

On another note, I think the other reason it is best for children to have two parents is for the simple reason of a "tag-team" approach. To steal from the illustration of wrestling, in the midst of the battle, it is good to have someone else to "tag" in order to step away from a heated situation. The reality is that there have been multiple times when I feel like I should have stepped away from the conflict between me and one of my boys. The other reason to tag team, while it may seem more humorous, is so that we can wear the child down rather than the other way around!

As a Pastor and as someone completing a Doctorate in "Youth, Family and Culture", I can tell you that I have seen the results that divorce has had on our young people. Unlike many Pastors, I am probably more open to the possibility of divorce. However, I also believe that divorce has become WAY TOO easy in America. People seem to get a divorce for just about every reason - most of which are shallow and narcissistic. "We just don't love each other any more." If that is the real reason, wow! What does that say to your children? What they think is, "So, does that mean you won't love me anymore?"

The fact of the matter is that research undeniably shows that children who grow up in a two-parent home are much better socially, academically and emotionally. I am about to say something that will make few people happy. In my role as a Pastor, and as someone who is a bit more "moderate", I have had to wrestle with the issue of gay couples adopting. My conclusion: from what results I have seen of a child growing up in "the system", I think it is better for a child to grow up in a loving home - whether heterosexual or homosexual - than to grow up in an institutional setting. I think Christians, and Pastors especially, have little to say in a condemning way if they are not willing to confront the issue of 500,000 children in the system every year in America.

Regardless, as a single-parent, I can say that being in a single-parent home is not the ideal situation for children for many reasons. On the flip side, I am also NOT advocating children growing up in a home where they see one spouse abuse the other. Overall, the reality is that children need to be in the healthiest environment possible.

Until next time, be the best parent you can be!