Perfectability of man

Submitted by Byron Murgatroyd (United States), Jul 17, 2002 at 13:38

The foundation for the European approach is the perfectability of man, hence the utopian goals for society, which in turn stem from replacing Christianity with humanism as the agent in charge. The US Constitution and mindset was premised on the fallibility and imperfectability of man as embodied in traditional Christian doctrine (others as well, but essentially Christian.) As Americans continue to be a fairly strongly religious, and Christian, country, our psyche continues to lead us to skepticism about other countries, such as the Europeans. However, this is on the decline, which I believe is the true battle going on in America today. The Democratic party seems to have taken on the perfectability of man, and consequent potential for utopian society, as it's premise. Mainline Protestent denominations are also drifting from classic Christian doctrine to humanistic themes. As this gradually comes to dominate American thought, the underpinnings of the ideals embodied in our founding of America will recede, and we will look more like the Europeans, uncertain of right and wrong but positive we can make it better through wishful thinking.

The EU is simply where we'll be in 20-50 years. Bin Laden's mistake was to physically attach us at all; if he just waited, we'd be there for the plucking like a rotten fruit. The 9/11 attack has delayed this 5 years or so.

Please keep up the great work you're doing. You're a lonely voice in the wilderness. Why has the press ignored your testimony before Congress on the Saudi kidnapping of Americans?

Byron Murgatroyd

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