First, I believe in an ultimate Maker, who is in charge of everything, and who expects me to act "right" of my own volition.
Built on that, I believe that I can choose to do wrong, but that by violating physical, mental, and spiritual principles, I will end up damaging myself and others as a consequence.
Next I believe that mankind is basically flawed. I happen to believe it is because of original sin, but whatever the cause, people are just "not right". We are capable of the highest good, and the most despicable evil, and I believe that under the right conditions, any of us are capable of either.
Built on that, I believe there is a resolution for that flaw, and that is our continued journey toward reunion with our Maker. Any time we turn away, we are unhappy, and our level of defiance and self assurance in ourselves doesn't matter. When we turn away, we are unhappy.
I believe that people should freely choose to help each other, but should not be compelled to do so by outside forces.
Built on that I believe that each of us has a responsibility to care for ourselves, and not to expect others to do for us what we can do for ourselves.
Built on that, I believe the world is a place of opportunity, but not of guaranteed results, and that any effort to make everyone equal is doomed not only to failure, but to inflicting more harm than good on target and surrounding populations.
I believe that man (generic) is arrogant in the extreme to think that he can materially affect planet earth in any long-term sense. All we do is play in the dirt. What we use comes from the earth. What we make goes back to the earth. Man cannot break this cycle.
I believe that man must be governed by laws, not by other men - when we forget this, we end up with chaos, dictatorships, and worse. I believe we are forgetting this now.
I believe that money cannot buy happiness, but that it does make shopping for happiness a lot more fun.
I believe government should live within its means - just like families. Enough is enough.
I believe strength (and its use) guarantees peace - history is justification.
On the lighter side, I believe in energy, convenience, comfort, and fun.
I believe in nice cars - anyone should be able to drive whatever he wants and delight in it.
I believe in Heating and A/C - stay warm in winter and cool in summer - do not sacrifice.
I believe in lights. Incandescent bulbs are prettier, can be dimmed, and are cheap. Use them.
I believe in land ownership, not oversight. If I want to fill my bog, I should be able to.
I believe in food. Good food makes me happy, and I want my fat, salt, sugar, meat, and caffeine.
I believe in well-behaved children. If I need to cause a little pain to generate good behavior, OK.
I believe that everyone deserves more chances. We all make mistakes, and plenty of them. If we admit we are wrong, and try to start over, our past should not be held against us.
Built on that, I believe in forgiveness. And it is simple. If we want to be forgiven we should forgive.
Built on that, I believe in St. Francis' prayer:
- Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
- where there is hatred, let me sow love;
- where there is injury, pardon;
- where there is doubt, faith;
- where there is despair, hope;
- where there is darkness, light;
- and where there is sadness, joy.
- O Divine Master,
- grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
- to be understood, as to understand;
- to be loved, as to love;
- for it is in giving that we receive,
- it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
- and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
- Amen.
