Freedom and Democracy

What does it justify?

At a family reunion I recently attended, a cousin told me the spouse switched allegiance from one to the other major party and has become more radical since then. My cousin said the spouse once thought I was "out there" but now thinks I'm right.

So, let's push this envelope.

If the peasant in Vietnam, or the shopkeeper in Baghdad, were killed by U.S. bombs in the name of Freedom & Democracy, then crusading on behalf of Freedom & Democracy is no better than the Crusades of Christianity or Islam.

If all of that violence was done to fuel commercial interests, to enrich and empower the already wealthy and powerful, and to expand the "American Dream" through cheap foreign resources, then American institutions founded on "Freedom and Democracy" are no better than imperialist monarchies and dictatorships.

If females were burned at the stake for being "witches" through the crime of using tradition-approved healing remedies, that discredits Christianity. If such practices and other practices and substances are banned or regulated today based on government-approved "science,"  then the government founded on Freedom and Democracy is no better than a theocracy.

And if, in Jesus's day, he taught it was hypocritical to stone an adulterer, how much worse is "Christian culture" to pass any law against prostitution? I acknowledge that women and girls are usually physically weaker than male counterparts and more easily physically coerced, and kidnapping and slavery should be outlawed. But if "Freedom and Democracy" is a reason to ban prostitution, to protect a woman from her own body and own choices, and if "Freedom and Democracy" cites "social science" as the reason, then Freedom and Democracy is just as guilty as religion  in preventing women from being free.

"Oh, but we don't want to criminalize the prostitutes, only their clients!"

Wow. You totally miss the point. You're casting the first stone. 

"Freedom and Democracy" doesn't justify any law  that we would find objectionable in a theocracy, monarchy, or dictatorship.

Meddling into the affairs of your peaceful neighbor has no justification at all.

James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you enjoy his articles, subscribe and exchange value for value. You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution.

For sports-only content, subscribe to The MVP Chase.