So...Do we really believe this?

[PastorSteve]

I know that those on the left will feel the opposite of this, but thankfully we still have the 1st amendment enacted, even though it may not be for much longer so I'll state my opinion.

This text is taken from the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 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 to 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.

First, our founding fathers felt we had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We already see that the rights of life of the unborn and those that can not choose for themsevles are already abolished. If you don't have the strength to tell someone you want to live while lying in a hospital bed, someone else has the ability to turn off your machines, or cut off your feeding aparatus so that you die even if there are those that want to take care of you. The unborn are being killed at a genocidal rate, but we chalk it up to a bad night partying or sex doesn't feel as good with a condom, so a child must pay with it's life. And to be clear, I'm not opposed to ending a pregnancy in the case of a mother about to lose her life. Being pro life is exactly that, pro life.

Right to Life, DESTROYED.

The definition of Liberty reads this;

freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control. freedom from external or foreign rule; independence,freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.

Those on the left certainly still seem to have this right in abundance. Those on the right....not so much. Specifically Christians. Muslims may do what they wish as well as Buddhists, Hindus, etc. However, anytime a Christian takes a stand, or tries to take a stand, we are labeled "hate mongers" and promoting "hate speech". The very ones who toute "Tolerance" are the very ones being so very INTolerant of Christians. If the left takes over every form of government that we have, which is looking more and more likely, I believe that the church may be looking at a situation that paralells China in that they have to operate underground eventually to avoid being arrested.

Right to Liberty, For conservatives - Heavily damaged, destruction likely.

Of course, the Pursuit of Happiness, is and has always been subjective. But the way we are heading, it seems quite likely that the harder you work, the more you will have to involuntarily support those who don't work as hard as you. Your pursuit of happiness will lead you out of business, as well as the others who you actively support in their pursuit of happiness by employing them.

Right to Pursuit of Happiness - Quickly eroding.


Having said all of that, here is another quote from the Decalaration:

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.

So I guess I'm wondering....are we there yet? At what point do we decide that our God given rights have been infringed enough to throw off such government? Does it ever come to that point in your opinion? How will you know when we've gotten there, and will there be enough people left to fight it when it gets there?

Our founding fathers lived under a tyrants rule and chose to fight there way out from under it. Did they write these things into the Declaration for us to follow suit if it ever came down to it again? Or is it simply a recording of what they went through, and were about to fight there way out from under?

Opinions?