In What Do You Believe? (1) ⋆ Politicrossing
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Faith

In What Do You Believe? (1)

We each have the freedom to choose the life that works for us without inhibiting others

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Jim Cathcart has written a sterling piece which follows below. Jim, who I’ve know since 1984, grew up in Arkansas, worked in Oklahoma, and struck gold in California. He became an authority in personal development, a popular professional speaker, and an author of several successful books on sales, business strategy, and career achievement.

Here is Part 1 from his brilliant article on the power of our beliefs and belief systems, with Part 2 and Part 3 appearing on Monday:

Nobody is without a religion, nobody (a paraphrase of Jewish philosopher Dennis Prager). All people have a belief system. That system tells them what is good and right, and what is bad and wrong. All belief systems have “sins” too, things you are condemned for doing or not doing.

Christianity has the shortest list of sins, but Christianity forgives. Yes, it’s true.

Accusatory and Unforgiving

In the religion of ‘Woke’ supremacy, an ever-growing list of sins are unforgivable. In fact, many such sins ‘are stamped into your being’ without your awareness and cannot be resolved, removed, or fully atoned for, such as ‘white privilege’ or ‘systemic racism.’

Law enforcement, the U.S. Constitution, mathematics, “flesh tone” band aids, personal compliments, and chivalry, of late, are inherently bigoted concepts of white supremacy or sexism. The ‘Woke’ seek to erase history so that only they get attention and so that now is the only time that matters.

While legions of the challenges facing humanity were resolved before the members of the ‘Woke’ mob we were born, they demand that we start again, since everyone who preceded us were stained by the wrong belief system. So, whatever our forebearers learned or discovered or developed, or gave their life for, is to be ignored.

Are books part of history? If they were written before now they are based on the past, so all books should be burned or banned. (Does this sound like Nazi Germany?)

Wrong on So Many Levels

The first clue that the ‘Woke’ are on the wrong path is this: They respond to challenges or questions by making personal attacks on the challengers, or labeling them as not worthy of being heard. When ideas can’t be openly debated and discussed then something is askew. Good ideas can stand up to scrutiny.

Predictably, some people will attack me for this article, not the ideas within it. It’s what children do when they don’t have a response. They call you names and say, “I hate you!”

Another tactic of the ‘Woke’ destructive mindset is to ignore all of what you say or do, except for the one item they feel they can attack. It’s like a pack of wolves going after a herd of elk. They don’t launch a frontal attack. They bite the hind leg of the last elk in the herd to weaken him. Then when the elk falls behind the others, the wolves surround it and kill it.

Some people will pick one item from this article and attack it, seeking to negate the entire narrative.

The Limitation of Science

‘Science-ism’ is the belief that objective reality, its measurement and explanation through the scientific process, is all that exists. Yet, science can’t explain the creation of life. Intercourse doesn’t create babies, but that’s how they are conceived. Some couples never have children. We can’t make life; we can only participate in the process.

To accept science as your belief system, you have to make up something to fill the voids, e.g. have faith in something you cannot see or explain. Even science must have faith about some things.

In the religion of Environmentalism and Climate Change, based on ‘Woke’ thinking, you are either a believer who is willing to strive to remove the stain of your existence on the earth, or you’re a denier who is not to be taken seriously and must be controlled by believers. All things end up being related to the climate.

Current White House policies reflect an enormous emphasis on the religion of Environmentalism, plus a belief that America is so wealthy we can spend all of our money on the repairs and changes that must be made, lest we all die from climate change. AOC, for example, says that we can easily afford to spend 10 trillion dollars.

The climate, however, has never witnessed a time of stasis. It has changed continually since creation. These changes go in long term cycles of 1,500 years or more. We are currently in a long-term cycle of global cooling.

In ‘climate-ism,’ human life is seen as an infection of the earth instead of the highest form of life on earth. “If there were no humans, life on earth would go on just fine.” Okay, human hater, you go first.

Belief is a Choice

The answer to the decades old question, “Why can’t we just get along?” is that some people simply won’t stop trying to control others.

You’re free to believe what you wish. You are not free to interfere with my life and the lives of others who disagree with you. If you are correct, then let’s debate the issue. Prove your case or go your own way.

We each have the freedom to choose the life that works for us without inhibiting others.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy New Year, Happy Life.

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Jeff Davidson is the world's only holder of the title "The Work-Life Balance Expert®" as awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is the premier thought leader on work-life balance, integration, and harmony. Jeff speaks to organizations that seek to enhance their overall productivity by improving the effectiveness of their people. He is the author of Breathing Space, Simpler Living, Dial it Down, and Everyday Project Management. Visit www.BreathingSpace.com for more information on Jeff's keynote speeches and seminars, including: Managing the Pace with Grace® * Achieving Work-Life Balance™ * Managing Information and Communication Overload®



 
 
 

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Elections

Let’s Reclaim America’s Optimism Advantage

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On this New Year’s Day, America needs more than a parade and great football games; our people need renewed optimism in living our American Dream. Instead of looking for government fixes or some magical new president who will make things right, we need a kick in the pants to get busy making America work no matter what obstacles we face.

At the 1992 Republican Convention, Ronald Reagan shared what he considered the secret of his success as our President: “I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears, to your confidence, rather than your doubts.”

Oh, how we need leadership like that in America today. As we start this year, too many people feel powerless. Inflation may be coming down, but high fuel and food prices have taken their toll on far too many Americans. Watching the invasion on our Southern border means too many of our cities are being overwhelmed with no end in sight. We wonder if there is anything we can do but watch. The sense of despair and helplessness is contagious, but so is optimism. What attitude do you spread?

There is more than you think within your control. Every day, you make choices to make your situation better or worse. Studies of optimism find that optimism comes from a track record of overcoming obstacles. If you have had obstacles the last few years and are still making it work, pat yourself on the back. Be a proud survivor, not a victim so many seem to take pride in claiming to be.

Make each day count by starting your day doing one thing to make your situation better. Find one way to cut expenses. Find a way to increase your resources. Make a call or visit to nurture your network of colleagues and friends. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes, both big and small. Nurture your faith realizing that God gave you gifts and give thanks every day for the blessings you have. Lest you forget, you’re blessed to live in America. People risk everything to come here, and few want to leave.

Yes, this is an election year, and it would sure be a gift to have a leader who would nurture the hope and optimism of all our citizens. So as the campaigns progresses and you listen to potential leaders vying for your support, ask yourself a few key questions:

Do they want to control your choices or ensure your freedoms?

Do they want to make you more or less dependent on government?

Do they want to increase the size of government and entitlements and the taxes needed to fund them or decrease them?

Do they want to force your children to go to public schools that don’t’ get the results your children deserve, or are they willing to give you the freedom to pick the schools your children need?

Do they disagree with their opponents and state why, or do they demean them and call them names?

Do they want to grow the size of government and its debt, or do they want to decrease both?

Do they believe in the citizens they represent, or do they convey that they are the answer to America’s future?

Do they take responsibility for their mistakes and actions or quickly deny responsibility and blame others?

No President is perfect. It’s easy to promise and a lot harder to deliver. Reagan focused on three things: an optimism based on free-enterprise innovation, smaller government, and lower taxes. He delivered on all but smaller government. As Reagan advisor Arnold Laffer confessed, “When it came to cutting welfare payments and school lunch,…it was very hard. Someone would come over and say, ‘How can you cut school lunches?’ Reagan would reply, ‘I guess you’re right; I’ll tell them not to cut that one.’”

The pressure to keep growing government is tempting and easy to understand, but it is not what America was created for. America’s form of government was designed to protect citizens from an over-controlling, over-taxing government. We need to reclaim that passion for freedom and self-reliance. Our founding citizens wanted the opportunity to pursue happiness, not happiness given to them at the expense of other taxpayers.

The election is months away. So I’m going to borrow on the optimism of Ronald Reagan to inspire us all on this first day of 2024: “I’m not taking your time…to ask you to trust me. Instead, I ask you to trust yourself. That is what America is all about… It’s the power of millions of people like you who will determine what will make America great again.”

Reagan wouldn’t want us to wait for the next election. We’ve had enough of eloquent politicians who think they have all the answers. We need to believe in ourselves and get busy living our own dreams. Then, in November, let’s elect a leader who will stay out of our way and give “We the People” freedom again—freedom to fail, succeed, and thrive in our own American Dream!
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Faith

Three Cheers for Christian America

Thank you for safeguarding the public and private expressions of others

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Considering all the nations in the world and the dominating religions within those nations, Christianity is the most beneficial. When Christians are in the majority, it is good for everyone who resides there.

Christians during the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, and up to the mid-20th century contributed to much of the world’s turmoil. In recent decades, however, they have been the most accommodating, accepting, and peaceful group. I’m glad I live in a Christian nation and, given the options globally, would not have it any other way.

Best of the Best

Particularly in America, Christians today are tolerant, acknowledging the rights of others. They recognize the right of Israel to exist. They fully embrace Israel’s strategic role in the Middle East.

Too many people on the left who regard themselves as the arbiters of what is right and true, in minor and major ways have been persecuting Christians for decades. They do not want public displays of Christianity anywhere in America. Their agenda is to remove all vestiges of religion in America. They contend that America would be a better, more egalitarian nation.

Just the opposite is true. Those who want to stamp out religion in America don’t understand that our origins and 250-year history is based on Judeo-Christian principles. The cancel culture left seek to reject the U.S. Constitution out-of-hand.

We have encountered leftist groups who shatter statues and historic symbols they deem to be oppressive and part of an old regime that was illegitimate from the outset. Many of these perpetrators hide behind ski masks while regarding themselves as heroes. In reality, they are fascists, seeking to control us.

Leftist enforcers have no idea how intolerant they are and that they are no better than those they seek to diminish. In the U.S., people of all faiths are free to celebrate their faith. If one particular faith, Christianity, was predominant from inception, to today, that does not preclude other religious groups from celebrating.

Congress: Hands Off

Leftists make erroneous statements about the “separation of church and state.” The phrase simply is not contained in the Constitution or any founding document. It appeared in a letter that President Thomas Jefferson sent to a Baptist congregation in Danbury, Connecticut. His note to them was designed to reaffirm that the government would not make dictates related to the church.

The First Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” So, when it comes to religion, Congress must keep its hand off.

As a nonreligious person, I have nothing against seeing a religious display on public or private property. Indeed, America shorn of religious symbology would be a dismal place. The Ten Commandments on a public plaque? Fine. Christmas trees in the town square? Flip on the lights! A mosque being built in America? Why not?

As long as everyone is tolerant of other religions, such developments represent no threat to anyone. It is those who operate in secret who represent a threat, as are those who wish to vanquish the rights of others to publicly exhibit symbology.

The Option to Sing Along

When I attended grammar school, I was exposed to the annual Christmas pageant. I had the choice to skip the assembly. In each case, however, I chose to enjoy the merriment of the festivities, but not sing along. My young classmates did not require me to capitulate. Nor did I expect them to modify their festival to accommodate me. Would any aware American who moved to another country expect that country to diminish their celebrations to accommodate the newbie?

I’ve had the opportunity to visit 46 of the 50 states, and 73 countries. I have walked through hallowed halls of shrines, mosques, churches, and ashrams. While Christians are being persecuted in many countries around the world, I don’t know of a single instance today where people feel unsafe in a Christian majority country.

So, I say to you, if you are a Christian, in America, please know that large numbers of us support your right to practice your religion.

For All You Do

Thank you for safeguarding the public and private expressions of others. Thank you for helping to establish a climate where non-Christians and others can feel welcome. Thank you for becoming a peaceful, tolerant religion that rightfully serves as a model for others around the globe.

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