07 Nov
This I Believe – Why I Am A Conservative
- I believe that there is a Creator; above, outside and independent of humanity, to whom we owe our allegiance, worship, love and honor.
- I believe that the Creator desires to reveal Himself and His ways to those who truly seek Him, and that He is ultimately approachable and knowable.
- I believe that it is the obligation and responsibility of humanity both to know and serve the Creator.
- I believe that human nature, without surrender to and assistance from the Creator is completely depraved, wicked and inalterable by any effort or exertion of humanity.
- I believe that, because of the complete depravity, wickedness and inalterability of human nature without the assistance of the Creator, Law is given to humanity for the security and protection of those who do right, and to punish those who choose to do evil.
- I believe that humanity has been granted by the Creator certain defined, knowable and unalienable rights, and that these rights cannot be altered or removed from humanity. There are:
- The Right to worship the Creator without let or hindrance of any outside agency.
- The Right to speak one’s views, regardless of subject matter, in civil discourse in a public forum without fear of censure, recrimination or intimidation.
- The Right to assemble peaceably in a public forum.
- The Right to petition the sitting government for a redress of grievances.
- The Right to defend oneself against evildoers.
- The Right to possess, own, and be secure in private possessions and private property.
- I believe that the ultimate and best form of government is self-government.
- I believe that, because of the complete depravity, wickedness and inalterability of human nature without the assistance of the Creator, governments are instituted among humanity for the dual purpose of providing a measure of security for those who do right, and to punish those who would do evil.
- I believe that it is the right of the people to alter or replace their government when said government no longer responds to the people and proceeds unchecked to oppress and violate the unalienable rights of the people.
- I believe that there is an invaluable treasure of wisdom and knowledge bequeathed to us by previous generations and that it is our obligation and responsibility both to preserve and pass on this wisdom and knowledge to future generations.
- I believe that government is not bad, but that unchecked and excessive government is bad.
- I believe it is the responsibility and obligation of humanity to help and care for humanity, not the responsibility and obligation of government to do the job for us.
- I believe in the free market.
- I believe that the money that I and my family earn belongs to me and my family to determine what to do with it. It does not belong to the government.
- I believe that the two greatest strengths of the United States of America are the Church and the Family.
- I believe that the Church is the conscience of the governments of the United States of America and the several States, and therefore has the right and responsibility to confront and speak to the moral and political issues confronting the governments of the United States of America and the several States.
- I believe in the founding Judeo-Christian principles of the United States of America.
- I believe it is the responsibility of all Americans to fight for our unalienable rights both domestically and internationally.
- I believe that abortion is the murder of innocent human life. It is a festering sore on the body politic and the national life and conscience, and should be eliminated from the United States of America.
By Thomas Nettleton
