UNION BAPTIST CHURCH
528 N. MAIN ST. ENGLEWOOD, OHIO 45322
CHARLES J. ARNETT, PASTOR 513-836-3272
 BAPTISTIC FUNDAMENTAL CALVINISTIC EVANGELISTIC DISPENSATIONAL

March 8, 1995

Other Voices
Dayton Daily News
P.O. Box 1287
Dayton OH 45401

re: PLURALISM NO FOUNDATION FOR PLURALISM.

Dear Editor

"WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness ..." I think that surely my heart beats to the tune of "The Star Spangled Banner" when I read those words. Those are more than simple, beautiful verse. They are the very foundation of America. True, they have no binding authority on Americans. The Declaration of Independence is not even the official preamble to the Constitution. Yet, the Truths taught in those words are the very foundation for the liberty we enjoy as Americans.
The basis for pluralism is grounded in the Truth expressed in those words. Pluralism has no foundation except in that Truth. Pluralism itself is no foundation for pluralism. The Truth explicit in those words is that the rights of all elements in a pluralistic society are based on Rights bequeathed by the Creator. Only Rights bestowed by an authority outside of and above government are Unalienable Rights. Apart from that recognition, the founding fathers would not have given us the First Amendment. Governments are instituted to secure those rights, not to confer them. Government is to assure the Rights provided by the Creator. Rights that are conferred upon us by our Government via the Constitution are not Unalienable. The Constitution allows for amendments. The Government can rightfully only take away what they have authority to give. Any rights that only come to us from man can be taken away by man. Rights that Government, or any man, can take away are not Unalienable Rights.
Today some Americans use pluralism as an excuse to disregard the Creator. The dilemma is that apart from the Creator there is no real foundation for the pluralism those Americans purport to protect. It seems to be self-evident that ignoring the Creator is destructive to pluralism and repressive to individual rights. It certainly is unamerican to discount the Creator.
Just think, maybe the right wing Christians are right after all. Perhaps the right in right wing stands for INALIENABLY RIGHT. Pluralism is right because, and only because, the Creator has endowed all men with Unalienable Rights.

Yours for self-evident Truths being self-evident

Charles J. Arnett
111 Worman Dr.
Union OH 45322
513 836-3272 or 836-0862

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