The False Promise of Peaceful Coexistence

What happens when civilizations abandon their moral foundations? Throughout history, totalitarian ideologies—whether religious or political—have followed a disturbing pattern. They initially advocate for "peaceful coexistence," but once they attain sufficient power, this stance proves temporary. The choice offered to dissenters becomes stark: submit or face persecution.

Fox's Book of Martyrs details how the Spanish Inquisition, operating under papal authority, turned Spain into a land of torture chambers and public executions. In just 129 years, this institution deprived Spain of three million inhabitants. Similar patterns emerge across different eras and ideologies—from medieval religious persecution to 20th-century totalitarian regimes under Stalin, Hitler, and Mao. The lesson is clear: when organizations pursuing evil gain absolute power, peaceful coexistence vanishes.

This historical perspective carries profound implications for modern America. The Medal of Honor story of Mitchell Page illustrates how our nation's strength once flowed directly from its moral and religious foundations. When asked what gave him courage to stand alone against overwhelming Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Page credited his early education in "a little bitty country school room in Pennsylvania where they started each day with the Bible and the Pledge of Allegiance." In his darkest moment, wounded and surrounded by enemy bodies, his Bible providentially opened to Proverbs 3:5-6—his mother's favorite verse about trusting God.

America's founders understood that liberty requires moral citizens with "skin in the game"—people with property and families worth defending. When individuals feel invested in their nation's future, they willingly sacrifice for its preservation. This explains why the Founders emphasized property rights and strong families as essential foundations of the republic.

As we navigate today's cultural challenges, we face choices similar to Americans in 1774, who hoped for reconciliation while preparing to defend their freedoms. Our path forward requires both preparation and prayer—standing firm for liberty while praying for national renewal and the transformation of hearts.

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