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Two Chapters from Principles of American Liberty Principle #4 Specific Liberties derive From the God-Given Rights of All Men.One of the most intriguing aspects of American Liberty is it's founding upon God's laws and principles. In America it is made very clear that liberties are derived from God, and not from man. This is a very important achievement of American Government. Other countries always consider rights, liberties, and freedoms to be a by-product of man, or the government that man has created. We in America believe that God is the one who gives rights, and that he gives them not only to American's but also to all men equally. Among these liberties that are God-given are, 1) Liberty of Conscience. This is that right to think. The right to process information in our own minds without interference or direction from an outside entity. This freedom is essential to education and the expanse of knowledge. 2) Religious liberty assumes that man has the right and freedom to choose his own religion, and will be unhindered in the practice thereof. 3) Liberty of self-expression and personal action allows people to express themselves in whatever way they want under certain guidelines. They are accountable to God for their actions. 4) Economic liberty gives man the freedom to make his own decisions when it comes to private property and the use of it. The main opposition to economic freedom is a faulty economic system known as Socialism. 5) Political or Civil Liberty gives people the right to local self-government. These rights and freedoms are very, very, important to the American way of life. America is unique in that it realizes that these rights come from God, and do not derive from government or rulers. The social conditions necessary for liberty to thrive. It must be noted that there are certain conditions and variables that must be set in order to allow liberty to survive in a society. Among theses variables are include, Patriotism, virtue, knowledge, and eternal vigilance. All these key components must be present for liberty to survive and do a society good. Patriotism is key to liberty because Patriotism is often thought of to be a love of one's country. In fact, Patriotism is more than a love of one's country. It is the desire to see one's country succeed and that motivating desire which will empower one to do anything in his ability to promote that country's welfare and wellbeing. Virtue goes hand in hand with Patriotism. Virtue is by definition; "conformity to a standard of right… A particular moral excellence". This is necessary for liberty to survive. Society must conform to "a standard of right" to be willing to enjoy and sacrifice for liberty. Knowledge is essential to liberty's survival because to fully enjoy liberty one must have knowledge of how liberty works, and how to protect it. If society doesn't have knowledge of liberty and how it works, they are open to have government take it away from them. Eternal vigilance is quite likely the most important factor that must be present to protect liberty. Vigilance is what society must have. They must always be vigilant in watching their government to assure that they are not raping society of their liberties. If people lay down their eternal vigilance, this is the first step to laying down liberty itself. America must be semper vigilans in their watch for a tyrannical government looking to plunder liberty.
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