It is very much part of our society today - and its not getting
any calmer. The election of Donald Trump pointed a big spot-light on this
half-century phenomena. We called it the culture war.
Remember, the two sides vying for the heart of society are the
left-learning secular progressives (SP) versus the right-leaning
traditional values conservatives (TVC).
SP, which sees the world through
material and economic lenses, represents a utopian vision of society involving
big government, regulations, political correctness, and revamping of
traditional moral principles.
TVC’s worldview is wholistic, and
focuses on all aspects of existence, including the spiritual, moral, and
ethical. They prefer limited government, a free economy, strong military,
family and moral values.
In this part, we will look more closely at traditional values
conservatives
Morality
When it comes to Biblical standards, TVC sees these precepts as
fixed and unchangeable: sexual morality, truthfulness, sanctity of life,
Biblical integrity, marriage, family, and precepts of the Ten Commandments.
Since these things are viewed as permanently good, they are embraced with both
hands tightly.
TVC are consistently ‘pro-life’ when it comes to the abortion
and/or euthanasia, assisted suicide debate; ‘pro-marriage/pro-family’
when it comes to the optimal societal arrangements; and they are ‘pro-Biblical
morality’ when it comes to personal conduct.
Limited
Government
With this in mind, TVC believe in limited government: that
government exists to provide infrastructure, protect its citizens domestically
and internationally, and take care of functions not covered by the private
sector. Government does not create human rights, but is there to affirm and
protect them. TVC believes in individual freedom with corresponding
responsibility, constitutional government, democratic parliaments, and
free-market economics, as well as the above-mentioned moral and spiritual
values. Christians who are TVC believe it is God, not the government, to Whom
we should look for meeting all their needs: economic, emotional, physical,
mental, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. Most of these needs are beyond the
reach of government but God is able and willing to take are of them all. God,
also, is the source of our human rights.
Equality
Unlike progressivism, which believes in ‘equality of outcomes,’ TCV
believe in ‘equality of opportunity’ - everyone should get a chance - but
concede that some will reap 30, others 60, and others 100-fold. The
hyper-equality bandwagon of SP is rejected: to take something that was
rightfully earned by a productive person and give it to an unproductive person
is considered a great injustice. While a vast governmental welfare system is
viewed as inefficient, futile, and corrupt, TVC do strongly believe in private
charities and family-community support which are much more effective of meeting
the needs of the needy.
Government
TVC believe that man, made in the image of God, can be corrupted
by too much power. That’s why they advocate ‘separation of powers’ and ‘balance
of power,’ so that no branch of government has too much power, thus providing
for better governance. TVC want to maintain these things, arguing that the
large government of the SP will distort or destroy the checks and balances,
trample on human rights, and run the economy into the red until it hits the
brick wall.
Are We
Bit Of Both?
Though many will readily identify with either SP or TVC, there
is an argument to say there is a bit of both in most of us. There are those on
the SP Left (not many, but they exist) who believe in being moral in the
traditional sense. And there are TVC who believe in some of the better known
government entitlements programs.
For example, the US aged-pension, known as Social Security, is a
‘sacred cow’ to most Americans, regardless of political persuasion. If you want
to raise the ire of the grey power brigade, just hint at touching Social
Security, even with the most minimal and modest of reforms. Many people in
Australia, America, and Britain, like the notion of a government benefits and
safety net - but ignore the price such a net brings.
Yet, in short, if you believe in a big government who endeavours
to take care of all your needs, but could end up telling you what to think,
believe, or say, you are strongly leaning to the SP side. If you believe in
individual initiative, freedom, responsibility, hard work, family values and
traditional morality, you are on the TVC side.
Next time, we will contrast SP with TVC side-by-side
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