The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

Ageless FaithforaVacillating AmgircROBERT G. BEARCEMAN ACTS according to his faith.Even those who ridicule faithin God, in freedom, in the individual- even tyrants - have a degreeof faith in the brute force theyemploy. And, unfortunately, thisfaith in coercion is spreading itscontagion of gloom and doom,causing stalwart Americans todoubt the faith of our Fathers.Robert K. Walker, a Tennesseeattorney, spelled out the problemin 1968:People who think well of themselvescollectively exhibit enthusiasm andmorale. When nations cease believingin themselves, when they regard theirinstitutions with cynicism and theirtraditions with flippancy, they willnot long remain great nations.If America is the world's "lasthope," contemplate the worldwideMr. Bearce is a free-lance writer in Houston,Texas.oppression and human degradationif we cannot rejuvenate our faith:• Faith in God• Faith in Freedom• Faith in the Individual• Faith in our Heritage• Faith in OurselvesIf we can revive a profoundfaith in God we will have takenthe first step toward revitalizingthe moral, economic, political, andsocial fabric of the United States.Faith in God gives man a properperspective of his place on earth.Weare imperfect mortals, whileonly God is omnipotent, omnipresent,and omniscient. Belief inthe Creator also demands an adherenceto certain absolute, enduringvalues and principles. Thesestandards and laws may be brokenby man but never changed. Whenindividuals and nations acknowledgeGod and His laws, they createan atmosphere where prosper-