Can someone please define FAR RIGHT, and tell me how it is “conservatism?” We are continually hearing conservatives, accused of being far right. These accusations infer that the the far right position is extremely dangerous, and antithetical to American principals. We are told that the far right seeks to destroy norms, and tear away the foundations of, “democratic,” governance.
The far right is claimed to be the opposite of the far left, suggesting that the far left represents the foundational positions that our nation was built upon, (and nothing could be further from the truth.)
Have you ever questioned this thesis? What is the logic of this inference?
We should begin by reminding ourselves of the definition of the word, “conservative.” The root of this word is the word, “conserve.” The natural meaning of conservative, is one who seeks to, and makes efforts to conserve. This then begs the question, what are “Conservatives,” trying to conserve? Are what Conservatives seek to conserve good things?
What is the definition of, “conserve?” Webster’s dictionary defines it thus;
Definition 1. “to keep in a safe or sound state
He conserved his inheritance.
especially : to avoid wasteful or destructive use of
conserve natural resources
conserve our wildlife”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conserve
Conservative is defined thus;
1a: an adherent or advocate of political conservatism
b: Conservative : a member or supporter of a conservative political party
2a: one who adheres to traditional methods or views
b: a cautious or discreet person
I believe that it is these last sub-definitions that most aptly applies, “2a: one who adheres to traditional methods or views
b: a cautious or discreet person.”
The real question remains, what is it that the “Conservative,” hopes to conserve. Is it simply the traditions of the passed? Is it the positions of the descendants of passed political officials, (as royalty inherits political authority,) or is it the nobility of political submission to the, “laws of nature, and nature’s god?”
As an American Conservative, I believe that it is this latter. I wish to honor God in my beliefs, my actions, and most assuredly, my convictions. Evidence abounds that our Founding Fathers, and the framers of our Constitution sought to honor God in their politics.
“Thus today’s casual condemnation of the Founding Fathers concerning the injunctions of Romans 13 had been an active focus of theologians for over three centuries before the Founding Fathers; but those earlier theologians (unlike today’s critics) examined Romans 13 not as a stand-alone passage but rather within the context of all of the Bible’s teachings on government and authority. By doing so they were fulfilling the Biblical directive from II Timothy 2;15 of “accurately handling the word of truth” and from Acts 20:27 to declare “the whole purpose of God.” Furthermore, their examinations on the relation of Christians to civil authority were pressing considerations, for they occurred in the face of unimaginably difficult and often fatal circumstances.”
Our Founding Fathers relied heavily on John Locke’s, ‘Two Treatises on ‘True Origin and and end of Civil Government’ (which reference the scriptures more than 1,500 times)” The Founder’s Bible, David Barton, Wallbuilders press.
Thus establishing a much more thoroughly biblical assessment of the Christian’s obligation than does the common modern, and flippant understanding of Romans 13 alone.
Our founders, and the framers of our Constitution sought to provide a far more stable foundation for civil governance than many of our contemporaries would like. Their critics want a foundation of quicksand, fluid, and formable to their whims.
As I see it, it is impossible to distort, and destroy the foundation of our founding documents by strictly adhering to them. It is those that defy their original intent through constant judicial fiats, executive orders, and deep state bureaucracy that are undermining, and destroying the traditional norms of our, “democracy.”
Conservatism is right in the middle. The far left wants to destroy the rule of law by the tyranny of the elite, and powerful, through the manipulation of the masses. Who knows what the far right is? If it is fidelity with the Declaration of Independence, and the US Constitution, it is in the center of the will of our foundational establishment, and constructive of a stable, and civil society.
God bless you, Dave