AD February 13, 2022

 

by

Gadfly

Strange title?

AD in this title refers to anno Domini, in the year of our Lord—the estimated birth of Jesus Christ as the anchor for our present Gregorian calendar.  This chronological reference point has fallen out of “grace” with the dominant and progressive secular humanists who now prefer BCE, which stands for Before the Common Era--even though it remains linked to the original Gregorian Calendar based on the birth of Christ.

          By changing the meaning (or lack of meaning) of the chronological element of our historical process, advocates can diminish the spiritual implication of natural law in deference to their own sense of morality in pursuit of utopia.  This is very Marxist in its approach.

Joseph Schumpeter captured the “Marxist effect” well in this passage from his book (published in 1950), Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy:

In one important sense, Marxism is a religion.  To the believer it presents, first, a system of ultimate ends that embody the meaning of life and are absolute standards by which to judge events and actions; and, secondly, a guide to those ends which implies a plan of salvation and the indication of the evil from which mankind, or a chosen section of mankind, is to be saved.  We may specify still further:  Marxist socialism also belongs to that subgroup which promises paradise on this side of the grave.  The religious quality of Marxism also explains a characteristic attitude of the orthodox Marxist toward opponents.  To him, as to any believer in a Faith, the opponent is not merely in error but in sin.  Dissent is disapproved of not only intellectually but morally.  There cannot be any excuse for it once the Message has been revealed (p. 5).

Why Does This Matter Now?

America is under assault—primarily from within by a domestic enemy.  The idea of America as envisioned in our founding documents—the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and Bill of Rights—is under attack via radicalism, which seeks through multiple vectors to advance an alternate vision of America.  This alternate vision fragments, divides, and diminishes the fundamental spirit of what it means to be American.

          Today, I watched a powerful interview on the role Big Tech is playing in this alternate vision.  You can watch the entire interview here.  It is based on a Heritage Foundation report that you can access here.

          The research in the above report, its concerns about totalitarianism, and its implications for the future of America reinforces the mission of a new nonprofit organization called Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services, Inc. (www.starrs.us).

          Those who have been kind and gracious enough to follow Gadfly Corner over the years might be interested in checking out STARRS.  If you agree with the concerns and effort to stem the alternate vision of America, then please spread the word.