In studying with my son, we spent some time focused on Thomas Jefferson. In the weeks leading up to the election, there were many accusations and fears voiced amoung the citizens of the United States. There were claims that Jefferson would do away with the Bible and destroy marriage for the nation. These things did not occur, but they reminded me of how the same rumors persist with us today. "If you don’t call or write about this or that bill, marriage will be destroyed" often accompanies solicitations for funds. When you study history you recognize that the same old fears are often recycled to stir up the people.

On the topic of marriage, the authority concerning marriage was traditionally embedded in the church. It was only when civil ceremonies began arising that government stepped in. Marriage licenses were not needed when the ceremony occurred in the church. It was when people wanted to create relationships that were not condoned by the church that government was involved in the marriage business anyway. Through civil ceremonies and licenses, government created a sense of legitimacy to marriages that were not socially accepted. If the people got back to church and following God’s word as their basis for moral absolutes, then the need for government in marriage would not exist.

The life of Jefferson also revealed that even back then the general public hated Yankees and Yankee politicians. The War did not create Yankee animosity, it existed years before that because of their meddling nature. Yankees like to tell people how to run their lives. A fine example of this is the SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center). It leaders create fear amoung the populace claiming the existence of all sorts of hate groups and labelling any group that lives with Bible-based moral absolutes as "hateful". (Well, God hates sin. Some people prefer to sin and do not want others to remind them that they are sinning). It is more than ironic that its leader Morris Dees has a history of flagrant affairs and some other questionable activities. Facts about Morris Dees . Although he claims moral leadership, do you want someone with those types of morals telling you what is acceptable and not acceptable. He is an excellent fund raiser. Although he makes plenty of money, the SPLC also makes it a point to monitor and report on tax cheats. (Odd, if he makes millions of dollars, and is paying his share of taxes, why does he pursue others so vehemently?) It is as if they are functioning as a government lap dog, with the mindset that it is the government’s money and you are allowed to only keep a certain percent of it for your own use. They subscribe to the idea that patriotism is tied to how well you pay your taxes.

The idea that it is our money, that it does not belong to the government is alien to the SPLC. The idea that a patriot is defined by their dedication to liberty and the preservation of liberty is not in their vocabulary.

Consider for a moment, "How would Thomas Jefferson define liberty and patriotism?" If we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, where does this alien idea of patriotism associated with taxes come from? Jefferson never pledged allegiance to the flag. He never paid income tax, yet he was considered a consummate patriot by lovers of liberty. The citizens need to wake up and think for themselves rather than letting fear mongering groups and recycled threats determine their actions.

Solomon knew something when he commented that "There is nothing new under the sun". 

For Southern Liberty and Independence,

J Murrah

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