Western civilization is founded
generally upon Christian principles for its societal, legal and moral codes.
However, recently academics and political leaders have sought to minimize the
influence of Christianity to alter our country to a more secular government-based
society.
This movement began in the
late 1800s with the introduction of communist and socialist thought which
ultimately led to tyrannical dictatorships in the 2nd World War manifested by National
Socialism (i.e., Nazism) then through various communist regimes of which the
USSR was most powerful.
More recently communist expression
has developed through radical environmentalism and globalism. Communist/socialist-based
governments promote totalitarian regimes, ruled by a rich and powerful
elite, which act in essence as a replacement god to Christianity
directing every aspect of a person's life.
Which system is better?
Teleios recently evaluated countries with the highest one-third
of gross domestic product per capita and compared various publicly available measures
for societal wellbeing between Christian versus non-Christian or secular based
countries.
Our findings indicated the highest GDP
Christian countries demonstrated statistically better individual wellbeing than
the highest GDP non-Christian or secular states
(Gallup Wellbeing Index).
Further, historically Christian countries also scored statistically
better on associated measures that potentially could enhance wellbeing
including: GDP per capita, Numbeo Pollution Index, Cato Institute Human Freedom
Index, World Press Freedom Index, Corruption Perceptions Index, Global
Entrepreneurship Index, and Rule of Law Index.
Our study clearly showed the advantages
of Christian society not only in terms of wellbeing but also in surrogate markers
for wellbeing including: wealth per person, clean environment, education, press,
political, economic and religious freedom.
Why would Christianity provide such
advantages to society? We speculate it is derived from the importance of
the individual within Christian doctrine which is unique among philosophical
systems in human history. The importance of the individual in
Christianity allows each person to achieve during their life, not just salvation
by grace, but professionally and within their family and community as well.
Christianity, however, also accentuates the importance of personal
responsibility, not just to God, but to the job, family and one's neighbor.
This individualism then helps build
institutions in society that are responsible for each other, starting with family
units then progressing to broader institutions such as business and community organizations,
and to the national government.
In contrast, communist and
globalist governments de-emphasize the importance of the individual to the
benefit of the ruling elite. They generally offer, in return for high taxes and
absolute obedience, a small apartment, a meaningless state job and
an underfunded retirement with little ability to advance or improve a
person’s position in life. And yes, one has to deny Christ in such a system as a
fearful competitive god to the government rulers.
Someone could argue that many first
world countries no longer actively practice Christianity. Yet through their
institutions, on which their government codes are based, still rest in
Christian principles to the benefit of their populations.
Indeed, Christians in first world countries
should be proud of their political systems and do all they can to maintain and
prosper them while spreading to other lands to their benefit.
Thank you for joining me today. I
look for to seeing you next time.
For questions or
to view more of our research…
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