When your business is socializing America, it is vital that access to the truth about America's founding be denied to every student of American history, culture and law.
And the best way to do that is to eliminate all references to God and morality in public dialogue under a high and holy' appeal to religious freedom.
High and holy, is it? Just ask the martyred dead. Or have we forgotten that but a few centuries ago, in Europe, hundreds and hundreds of thousands were burned at the stake simply for reading the Bible or for calling sin "sin." And ditto under modern communism, except the number is in the tens and tens of millions, with billions enslaved.
Just what were and are these tyrants, ancient and modern, hiding from the people?
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Much beginning with Moses' charge to "proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (1) and Christ's teaching that "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (2)
Truths that make us free? What truths? Here are but a few:
The Forbidden Book clearly indicts and provides numerous examples of not just the common man but also kings and priests held equally accountable before the moral and civil law the mighty more so, for "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." (3)
Thus, in this book, David falls, Saul falls, Solomon falls, Sampson falls, Eli falls (literally), Judas falls even the entire nation of Israel falls.
Next, the Forbidden Book extends equality before the law to equality before God, promising and inviting equal access to Our Heavenly Father with this liberating, democratizing invitation: "If ANY of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to ALL men liberally, and upbraideth not." (4) (emphasis added)
In the same vein, the Forbidden Book's Ten Commandments teaches us that "the stranger within our gates" [any foreigner] possesses the very same rights as do citizens, counseling the leaders of nations that there ought to be "one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for your own country" (5) introducing the idea of universal, inalienable, God-given rights and since this inalienable right was first mentioned in connection with the right to worship, providing our first hint, as did America's Founders in their Bill of Rights, that this right, the right to worship without interference from the state or anyone else, is the greatest of all.
Then comes the Law of the Harvest, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. "(6) A warning to all, rich and poor, men and nations (and those under oath): justice will be served, if not in this life, then in the next. An encouragement that penalties ought to be commensurate with crimes, that economies, ought to permit men to be rewarded according to their labors (rather than according to some socialist scheme), and that freedom fighters, ought never forget that every sacrifice is worth it, for if not freedom in this life freedom in the next helping us better comprehend Forbidden Book reader Patrick Henry's inspired battle cry, "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!"
The Forbidden Book moves on to denounce government by kings (7) and or any system that exalts man or the state as a god over man. (8) On the other hand, it introduces the first representative, mixed system of government on record (The Law of the Judges), which included democratic elections, mixed forms of representation, local governments, family rule, fixed Higher laws, and impassioned pleas to "choose you this day," (9) rather than the tyrannical "Obey or else!"
There is a reason: Man, the Forbidden Book teaches, is a moral being from the beginning, endowed with the godlike ability to choose between good and evil (10) this being mankind's lot throughout mortality with the sum of man's choices equaling the measure of who he or she is in eternity. (11)
The Forbidden Book praises some of the greatest contributions for good in the history of the world as the "widow's mite," (12) or ordinary men laying down their lives for the truth or a friend. (13) The beggar Lazarus will be in heaven, the selfish rich man who ever refused him aid, begging refreshment in hell. (14)
Thus, the tables of injustice would be ultimately turned; for man is eternal, and God, who knows and sees all, is both a just and merciful being.
Are we beginning to see why kings and comrades tremble at this book? There are more reasons.
Witness such courageous characters as Daniel refusing to obey the King of Babylon's command not to pray in public. (15) Witness the softening of that king's heart following Daniel's fiery furnace and lions den miracles. Witness King Nebuchadnezzar's liberating, empire altering repeal of the prohibition that forbade free religious expression in private and in public, to one that favored religious liberty in both settings. (16)
As to free religious speech in public, men are, after all, the Forbidden Book teaches, social beings (17); and the test of a man's faith, it repeatedly teaches, comes not in how many prayers are said in private (as important as secret prayer is), but how a man lives his religion in public among his fellows. Thus, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me", (18) says the Forbidden Book.
There are other stories that stand as liberating symbols for all mankind.
There is that provocative account of that young man, Joseph, who though a slave, a prisoner, and a member of a despised race, interpreted Pharaoh's dream and, as a result, ascended out of a fixed class of unfavorables to the position of virtual ruler over all of Egypt. (19)
And why? Not merely because Joseph interpreted a dream, but because he was true in ALL things, including strict obedience to the law of chastity. This made him in Pharaoh's eyes, discreet, wise, and inspired. Yet the Forbidden Book had other lessons in mind as well. Providentially, Joseph's actions would save the world alive (the ENTIRE world, Israelites and non-Israelite) and prior to that humble the House of Israel for its many sins. (20)
Yes, the chosen' people, the book teaches, are sometimes the worst of the lot, often outshined by Syrians and Samaritans and Canaanites and Romans in faith, obedience and charity. "I have not found so great faith, no, not in all of Israel," said Christ regarding an outsider,' and it wasn't the first and only time he said such a thing. (21) The long-haul prediction for the world, "many that are first shall be last; and the last first," (22) for many outside of the faith had "the law written in their hearts" all along. (23)
Being "chosen," then, becomes not something associated with birth, or race or nationality, or membership, but, firstly, worthiness.
Thus the Forbidden Book recounts one, John the Baptist, rebuking a group of fellow Israelites as a "generation of vipers," who ought not think to say within themselves, "We have Abraham [as] our Father: for God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (24)
Stunning reversals, frightening lessons, penetrating fairness all in the Forbidden Book.
The Forbidden Book also introduces the idea of Higher Law. "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than God, judge ye", (25) Peter boldly requires of a court bent on his destruction. And, then again, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways mine, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (26)
To those who have ability, The Forbidden Book, invites humility and consecration: "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant," (27) not your master. In fact, the book admonishes us to "call no man master," but God only, for the rest of us are part of a common brotherhood, under God. (28) As to those nations that ignore this counsel and enslave their fellow man, the Forbidden Book's long haul prediction for them: war, pestilence, famine, and dissolution. (29)
The Forbidden Book moves on to introduce the concept of private property, commanding that the idler shall not eat the bread of the laborer, (30) forbidding theft and covetousness, (31) and yet inviting all, the more prosperous included, to humble themselves and reach out to the poor (32) not through the coercion of taxation, however, but through wise and inspired acts of love, charity and family solidarity.
The Forbidden Book defends the sanctity of life and forbids murder (33) and yet recognizes intent and specific circumstances in the commission of crimes, introducing the concepts of premeditated murder, non-premeditated murder, manslaughter by criminal negligence or recklessness, manslaughter by non-criminal negligence or accident, killing in self-defense (which is no crime at all), and other reasonable variations according to intent and circumstance. (34)
Capital punishment is introduced for murder (35) (for restitution for murder is impossible); whereas simple crimes of theft are not accompanied by imprisonment, but by a demand for restitution and then some (36) thus restoring honor, dignity and freedom to individuals for paying back their debts to their victims with interest. Likewise, sins and crimes committed "through ignorance" are treated differently than those committed "presumptuously," or in bold defiance of conscience and known duty. Thus, judge and jury, priest and parishioner are invited to be reasonable and merciful, rather than cold agents of the law. (37)
Pretty gruesome reading!
Consistent with ignorance of the law concerns, the Forbidden Book led the way in insisting upon written law, and education in that law, so that accountability would be tied to knowledge, and active and vigilant citizenship would be possible. (38)
Consistent with its appeals to a merciful judgment before the law, the Forbidden Book introduces the concept of vicarious atonement, wherein an outside agent Christ pays for the sins of repentant souls, thus balancing the demands of the Law of Justice, with the Law of Mercy, giving men a new start if they accept the terms of the Great Mediator. Relating the principle to crime, the Forbidden Book inspired a movement in early America's legal system to reclassify thugs as sinners, who like all the rest of us, can correct their sins and be fully forgiven rather than forever marked, denounced or locked up if they pay the price, meaning, genuine signs of repentance (such as public confession, full restitution to victims, and personal reform).
Thus the Forbidden Book applied moral pressure not just on the criminals, but on victims, legislatures, and judges to balance justice with mercy, to judge men on earth as we all hoped to be judged by God in Heaven, to turn prisons into models of education and reform rather than models of cruelty and isolation. (39)
Out of the legal tradition of the Forbidden Book came a remarkable list of superior trial rights, to include:
The right to be formally and publicly informed of criminal charges. (40)
The right to face one's accusers (in fact, witnesses were the only prosecuting attorneys, so to speak; and in capital convictions, the executors of the law). (41)
The right not to be convicted on capital or other crimes except upon the testimony of two or more witnesses. (42)
The right to witnesses for the defense. (43)
The right to a trial before an impartial quorum of judges, a quorum that included (by some accounts) a mixture of lay and professional members (a predecessor to the right to trial before an impartial jury). (44)
The right against forced self incrimination. (45)
The right against courts using evidence or testimony obtained via torture or other means of extortion. (46)
The right against courts using perjured testimony as evidence. Perjury was prosecutable as a crime, with the perjurer sentenced to the very punishment that the accused would have received. (47)
The right against a stacked' jury (or quorum of judges). For instance, a unanimous decision against a defendant invalidated a trial. At least one of the judges had to defend the accused. (48)
The right to hear each judge (in turn) give his rationale for or against conviction (49).
The right against secret trials and arrests. Trials and arrests had to be public, and in broad daylight. (50)
The right to a speedy trial capital trials had to be completed before the coming of the next Sabbath day. (51)
The right against charges originating from the court, so as to favor impartiality and check concentrated power. (52)
The right to appeal to a superior court. (53)
The right to be treated as innocent until proven guilty. (54)
Meanwhile, as to foreign policy, the Forbidden Book, George Washington-like, warns a free and religious people against security alliances and political entanglements with foreign nations, inviting the people to trust in the Lord for their security, to do so by putting their own national house in order, temporally and spiritually, counseling them to stop the short term, long term memory loss game' of looking back to Sodom, or Egypt, or Babylon, whence they fled. (55)
As to environmental policy, wildernesses ought to be tamed, cultivated and put to good use with gratitude, (56) and man is to preside over the animal kingdom, (57) not the other way around the latter being the sign of a fallen people. (58)
Wars are generally wicked, (59) yet sometimes necessary and even miraculously won with the aid of forces beyond the veil. (60)
As to family and sexual relations, the Forbidden Book commands men and women to marry and to have children. (61) Sexual relations are good and right in their proper sphere (within the bonds of holy matrimony), and yet the book draws a clear line, forbidding fornication, adultery, homosexuality, incest, and bestiality as abominations. (62) Prophetically, the Forbidden Book warns of plagues that have swept and will yet sweep the land or lands where sexual impurity reigns. (63)
Further, the Forbidden Book teaches that husbands are to serve their wives as Christ served the Church, (64) that children ought to honor parents, and that parents ought to provide for, bless and educate their children in light and truth and righteousness. (65)
Interestingly, as if anticipating ridiculous, socialist-inspired arguments such as evolutionary theory that deny the Heritage of Man as the literal offspring of God the Forbidden Book teaches the commonsense biological law that that every species reproduces "after his own kind." (66)
The book even commanded the people to wash their hands and clean their sheets before and after handling the sick or injured preceding the lifesaving advice that came with the discovery of germs by thousands of years! (67)
Remarkable, all of it and we have barely scratched the surface of the value of this Forbidden Book. So, tell me, just what were the ancient Kings, and what are their modern day Bible-banning counterparts in the ACLU, the NEA et al. afraid of?
The answer: the truth. For "the truth shall make [us] free," (68) and there are always a few selfish men, and a few revolutionaries who fear what an enlightened and moral people armed with such truths, convictions, and faith may do to their tyrannical, self-serving plans for mankind.
Such Bible-banners, whatever their motive, sinister, naοve, or sincerely aiming at good, as they see it, join the ranks of those who miss the mark with religion in public life for in the name of protecting religious freedom they deny the rising generation the very bread of life, the very loaf of liberty, the very book that, as witnessed above, was at the foundation of so many laws and concepts of law that we now enjoy, or once enjoyed, as a free people here in the United States of America. (69)
NewsMax pundit Steve Farrell is associate professor of political economy at George Wythe College, the editor of The Liberty Letters (LibertyLetters.blogspot.com), and the author of the highly praised inspirational novel "Dark Rose" (available at Amazon.com).
9. Ibid., Joshua 24:15, Judges 21:25. Note that the first government organized under Moses in form took on a pattern not far removed from what the American Founders set up, with a President (the presiding high priest, Moses), two Vice Presidents (Aaron over Internal Affairs, and Joshua, over the military, who appear to have fulfilled the role of counselors in a presidency), a sort of Senate or House of Lords (The Council of Seventy), a sort of Congress (elected Tribal representatives), and then regional and local governments with (and these numbers are an approximation based on the census recorded in the Book of Numbers) 600 elected representatives of 1,000 families, 6,000 elected representatives of 100 families, 12,000 elected representatives of 50 families, 60,000 elected representatives of 10 families, and more than 3 million people with power to govern themselves (See Skousen, W. Cleon, The Making of America, Center for Constitutional Studies, Washington, D.C., 1985, p. 51) . It is very likely, as well, that even Moses (appointed by God), and the Seventy (originally appointed by Moses), were nevertheless sustained by the free vote of the people in a procedure called common consent (different from a democratic vote), but nevertheless consistent with Lord's recognition of man's free agency. In Exodus 19:1-8, for instance, the people consent and vow to be governed by the Ten Commandments (See also Exodus 24:3, the people accept all the law, and Numbers 27:19, where a chosen leader is held up before the people, it seems, for a sustaining vote). We do know, on the other hand, that there appeared to be at least two democratic votes, if not many more, to sustain the whole system of Judges as a political system. On the last occasion, after a long period of self-government, the people voted to overthrow their free government in favor of a monarchy, and this against the counsel of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 8:1-22; 10:18-25; Judges 9:1-6; 2 Samuel 2:4; 1 Kings16:21, 22; 2 Kings 8:20; 2 Kings 11:12). And yet, it seems that common consent remained in place even under their kings (1 Samuel 11:15, 1 Kings 16:16).
10. Ibid., Genesis 2:17-18, 3:1-24. From day one, Adam and Eve were free to choose any of the fruit in the garden, but forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.' They nevertheless, chose to partake of that fruit, and the Lord God remarks, "Behold, the man has become as one of us, to know good and evil." Though this is a difficult riddle for some to solve, as to why a childlike Adam and Eve (remember, they were not yet fully capable of discerning good from evil) were commanded not to partake of that which would lead the way to the necessary test of mortality (which necessitated free agency); nevertheless, this was part of the plan from the beginning, that man would have choices placed before him, that every man would also have a conscience, within him, or light of Christ (see John 1:1-9) to aid him in those choices (there would be other aids as well, parents, prophets, scriptures, the Holy Ghost), that while every man was commanded to avoid sin, yet he would frequently fall to varying degrees (because among other things, God permits man to be tempted by the opponent of good, as part of the test), and that Christ, foreordained "from the foundation of the world" as a Savior to fallen man, would redeem those who truly repented, exercised faith, and came unto him. Of course, none of this could have come to pass, this test of mortality, if man was not a free agent, that is, a moral being. Agency and opposition are vital to man's movement toward perfection which better helps us understand why tyrannical governments, such as monarchal and fascist and communist dictatorships may be accurately portrayed as satanically inspired attempts to subvert the plan of God for man, and this would in part explain why such governments and their supporters have consistently been the most vigorous opponents of the masses of humanity men, women and children reading and becoming thoroughly familiar with Holy Writ, even as they are equally vigorous promoters and protectors of the most debauched literature, books, entertainment, ideologies, and habits. Anything to hold down man as slave to his passions, ignorance, and rulers, and thus mock God, Christ and their liberating plan of self-control, knowledge, wisdom, and self-government.
13. Ibid., John 18:38 (33-40); Matthew 24:9-14; John 15:13.
14. Luke 16:19-31.
15. Ibid., Daniel 3.
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid. Genesis 2:18.
18. Ibid. Matthew 25:40.
19. Ibid. Genesis 37-50.
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid., Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew 15:21-28, Luke 4:23-27, Luke 10:25-37.
22. Ibid., Matthew 19:30, Mark 10:31.
23. Ibid., Romans 2:5-16.
24. Ibid. Matthew 3:7-10
25. Ibid., Acts 4:16-19.
26. Ibid., Isaiah 55:8-9.
27. Ibid., Matthew 22:11, Mark 10:44-45.
28. Ibid., Matthew 22:10, see also verses 8-12.
29. Ibid., Jeremiah 34:12-32. Conquering and scattering of Israel foretold for following the Egyptian model of bondsmen, when they were commanded, and even covenanted to set free their servants and bondsmen (occurs every seven years, and also on the 50th year, after 7 times 7 years). Many would be in this position because of crimes or wars or debts, but regardless were to be set free. Israel defied God. God withdrew his protection.
32. Ibid., Exodus 23:11, Leviticus 19:10, 32:22, Deuteronomy 15:7, Nehemiah 2:10, Isaiah 58:7, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:4, Luke 10:34, Acts 2:45, 11:29, 1 Corinthians 13:3, 1 Timothy 5:16, 1 Peter 3:8, etc.
33. Ibid., Genesis 9:6, Exodus 20:13, Matthew 5:21, Mark 10:19, Exodus 21:12, Leviticus 24:17, 1 John 3:15, Revelation 9:21, 21:8, etc.
34. Ibid., Numbers 35:22, 23, Deuteronomy 19:5, Exodus 22:2 & 8, Leviticus 24:17, Exodus 21:12-36, Exodus 21:13, Numbers 35: Note, that the next of kin of the victim were authorized to be "the revenger," putting to death the murderer of their kin. Our judicial system today, does not work that way, but does differentiate, and may call such a retaliation "voluntary manslaughter," wherein one kills in rage, terror, or desperation and may' choose in favor of leniency, depending ...
36. Ibid., Exodus 22:1-9. (Unless the theft occurs in the darkness, then the homeowner may use deadly force to protect himself).
37. Ibid., Numbers 15:24-31.
38. Ibid., Exodus 24:3-4, 12; Exodus 34:1.
39. Friedman, Lawrence M. A History of American Law, A Touchstone Book, Simon & Schuster, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, 1973, 1985, p. 73. Quoting William E. Nelson regarding crime in the 1700's, "all crime was looked upon as synonymous with sin The typical criminal was not and outcast from society, but only an ordinary member who had sinned."
40. Salvador. Institutions of Moses p. 365, Innes, The Trial of Jesus Christ, p. 41.
41. Innes, p. 41; Mendelsohn, Criminal Jurisprudence of the Ancient Hebrews, p. 110.
43. Ibid., Deuteronomy 13:14; Mishna, San 4:5, Benny, Criminal Code of the Jews, p. 56.
44. Mendelsohn, p. 108; Benny, p. 37. The Dead Sea Scrolls, also provide evidence that the make-up of the judges were a mixture of professionals and lay members, with up to 10 out of the 12 being lay members of the quorum of judges, thus indeed, looking very much like a jury of peers, a most superior and inspired innovation.
45. Maimonides. Sanhedrin, 4:2; Mendelsohn, p. 133.
46. Mendelsohn, p. 133.
47. Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 19:16-20.
48. Mendelsohn, p. 141; Rabbi Wise, Martyrdom of Jesus, p. 47.
49. Mishna, San. 15:5; Benny, p. 73.
50. Chandler, Walter M. The Trial of Jesus from a Lawyer's Standpoint, Volume I, The Hebrew Trial, "Brief," Point 1 and Point 2 (he quotes also Salvador); Mendelsohn, p. 112; Maimonides 14.
51. Rabbi Wise, p. 67.
52. Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, vol. 1, p. 309.
54. All of the above presumes that right, because they all favor the defendant, as we would wish to be favored. See Talmage, James E. Jesus the Christ: A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983], 597.) and Chandler, Walter M. The Trial of Jesus from a Lawyer's Standpoint, Volume I, The Hebrew Trial for a nice tidy summary of most of the aforementioned trial rights in Jewish tradition, which they point out, were, ironically, denied to Christ by a fallen Israel. See also, Andrews, Life of Our Lord; Dupin, Jesus before Caiaphas and Pilate.
55. Holy Bible, Isaiah 30: 1-3, 31:1-3.
56. Ibid., Isaiah 35; Genesis 2:15, Man from the beginning in the Garden of Eden was commanded to "cultivate" the earth, not let it lay waste. Ginzberg, Louis. Legends of the Jews, Vol. 1, "Eve's Story of the Fall.); Genesis 4:11-12, highly unproductive ground is a sign of a land and a people that is cursed, not blessed; whereas, in general, the terrestrial world we now live in is unproductive (in that it does not produce of its strength spontaneously as was the case in the Garden of Eden), the Lords says, "for thy sake." That is, making the land productive and beautiful through our patient labors and thoughtful ingenuity does us good.
57. Ibid., Genesis 1:26-28.
58. Ibid., Numbers 21:6-7; Leviticus 26:3, 6, 14, 22 ("I will rid evil beasts from your land," when the people keep the commandments, is the promise; "but if ye will not I will send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number, [population control, etc?] and your highways shall be desolate.") Interesting, isn't it? See also, Isaiah 13:19-22.
61. Ibid., 1 Corinthians 11:11; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Exodus 21:22-23; Genesis 1:26-28; 30:1, 22-23; Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 25:21; Deuteronomy 4:10; 6:7; 11:19; Titus 2:4-6; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 2:46-47.
62. Ibid., Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 1:6:15-19; Leviticus 20:10-17; Luke 16:18; John 8:3-11 (Some have tried to twist the meaning of this scripture to condone adultery. But Jesus condoned no such thing. He did not condemn her to death, true, as did the others, but did tell her to "go, and sin no more," that is, go, and repent of your sins.'); Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32-33; Revelations 2:20-22; Leviticus 18:22; 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 5:27-28; Exodus 22:16; Romans 1:24-32; Genesis 19:5 (the sin of Sodom was, among others, rampant homosexuality (so thoroughly corrupt were they that they wanted "to know" the male angels). Destruction followed.
65. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Matthew 15:1-9; Colossians 3:20-21; Matthew 19:19; Matthew 25:21 (Applying this latter scripture to the family: if we can prove faithful over these few things, he will make us a ruler over many).
66. Ibid., Genesis 1:20-28.
67. Ibid., Exodus 15:1-15.
68. Ibid., John 8:32.
69. University of Houston researchers Donald Lutz and Charles Hyneman conducted a quotation study of 15,000 American writings with explicit political content printed between 1760 and 1805. The source quoted more than any other, by far, was the Holy Bible (accounting for 34 percent of all quotations). Another sixty percent of all quotes used by these founders and their contemporaries were restatements of Biblical principles. The total: 94 percent of all quotation during this critical era of America's Founding, was either right out of the Bible or under its influence.