Americans Losing Their Freedoms
A commentary by Don Hooser
Good News magazine writer, Bellingham, Washington
Posted November 5, 2009
 The infamous Berlin Wall "fell" 20 years ago on Nov. 9, 1989.
Actually the entire "iron curtain" dividing Europe was falling
in 1989. Until then, the Soviet-controlled nations enforced severe restrictions
on their citizens, preventing most emigration and even travel to the West.
The iron curtain served to keep people in and information out.
Many factors contributed to the opening of the borders, but a key element
was the result of growing pressure from millions of subjugated people yearning
to be free. Through the "curtain" they managed to get
glimpses of life in free countries. They were especially inspired by the
sweet land of liberty, the United States.
On Nov. 11, the United States and many other nations honor their veterans
who fought and died defending freedom. How tragic if we are giving away
what they sought to save.
Based on freedom
The United States was founded as a republic based on a constitution designed
to protect individual freedom. The preamble of the U.S. Constitution
states its purpose as "to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our Posterity."
Most founders believed in the combination of individual liberty plus responsible
self-governance based on the Bible. For example, James Madison, a primary
framer of the U.S. Constitution and fourth president, said: "We have
staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity
of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain
ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
The authors of the Constitution would be shocked to see how far our country
has departed from our founding charter and from the morals taught by the
Bible. Repeating the mistakes of history?
The survival of a democracy depends on a well-informed and moral electorate.
Today, the average American neglects the Bible and its teachings. Public
school teachers are not allowed to include the biblical perspective, and
the subjects of history, civics and economics are often seriously neglected.
Without knowledge of the past, people are doomed to repeat the tragic
mistakes. Voters are seduced by promises of short-range benefits, not realizing
how their votes will harm future generations. They sacrifice liberties
for "pork barrel" promises.
They fail to see that government has nothing to give that it
doesn't first take away from taxpayers (or future taxpayers).
And once a government program is instituted, it's almost impossible
to eliminate it. God warned that when men set up a government rejecting
Him, there is a price to pay (1 Samuel 8:6-18).
Americans losing freedom for over a century
For the first 100 years, the U.S. government did little to expand its
powers beyond what was clearly allowed by the Constitution. Then a change
in thinking began about 1900. It was the growing belief that the federal
government should step in and try to "fix" any problem that
its leaders saw.
Since 1900, almost every U.S. administration (of both political parties)
has expanded the role of the government. Some historians make the point
that virtually all government-run programs mean more bureaucracy, more
taxes, more complex regulations, less freedom and fewer incentives. The
Bible explains that going into debt means giving up future freedoms (Proverbs
22:7).
We are in danger of losing personal and religious liberties needed to
peacefully lead a godly life, earn a living and preach the gospel. That's
why Paul urged God's people to be praying for "all who are
in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:2).
The ultimate lesson
America has enjoyed unprecedented freedoms and prosperity, although many
people fear we are losing both. Few recognize the real source of those
blessings. The Bible reveals that they are not a result of any superiority
of Americans, but are because of the blessing of God. No political ideology
has fully followed the ways of God. And the growing sins of America are
wearing thin the patience of the One who blessed us. America has not been
the "shining city on a hill" we were called to be. Storm clouds
of national punishment are on the horizon.
Thankfully, the Bible reveals good news on beyond the prophesied times
of trouble. The true last best hope for man is the return of Christ. His
perfect government will provide true freedom for all the world!
 For further reading on the subject of freedom, see "The
Spread of Freedom: Foretaste for the Entire World?" And please
read online or request a free copy of the fascinating booklet The
United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy.
Related Resources
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