Lack of religion, morality cause of America's decay

Editor,

Has anyone noticed a hasty trend in our downward-spiraling society? Has anyone seen the lustful smirk of noonday thieves as they chisel away the fibers of our freedom? Has anyone wondered why moral decency has been alarmingly eroded from our society's foundation?

We are fed up with our nation's favored pillars of avarice, lust and other self-indulgent practices. Are these practices really freedom, the same freedom our fathers fought for? Does liberty exist without self-control or discipline? The short answer is simple - it is no. Our passions forge our fetters.

In George Washington's farewell address, he identified the proper pillars of our nation's society: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion." Is it not apparent to anyone that divine intervention secured the formation of the Constitution and our country?

Alexis de Tocqueville once said, "Liberty regards religions as its companion in all its battles and its triumphs, as the cradle of its infancy and the divine source of its claims. It considers religion as the safeguard of morality, and morality as the best security of law and the surest pledge of the duration of freedom." If God invested in this country, why does the interest seem to be decreasing? Because men are attempting to eradicate his contracts.

"What a dreadful spirit that man possesses, who can put a private appetite in balance against the universal good of his country and of mankind," Cato's Letter No. 33 by Thomas Gordon states. When is a nation demolished? Soon after unchecked appetites become the driving motive of society. There cannot be a separation of God and this country.

Ryan Taylor

Daily Lobo reader