Please excuse me; I am branching out a little today. However, I am not entering into the realms of religion, even though prayer and faith will be discussed. I make this clear at the beginning so as to ensure no misunderstanding occurs; I am not here to tell you how, where, what, when, or who to worship; all I expect is the same courtesy in return. We can discuss sensitive topics without causing problems and individuals choosing to be insulted. There is a phrase (verse) in a book considered scripture by The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints that appears in the writings of Moses, somewhat differently worded as counsel to Joshua. The same idea appears in the Old and New Testaments, and while in slightly different verbiage, it is available in various religious texts, dogmas, and belief structures.
“All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith” (D&C 103:36).
Hence why I am branching out a little today. On 9/11, during a speech, President Trump called for 21 days of prayer for the nation. It was one of President Trump’s better speeches, in my opinion, and the action resonates well with his other pleas, counsel, and instruction for the American Nation from his presidency. President Trump’s counsel brought this phrase to mind, and I thought, maybe it IS time for America to rediscover an essential truth.
What is diligence?
The dictionary often details diligence as being heedful, careful, and showing constant and earnest effort to accomplish a task. Other definitions include constancy in the performance of duty or the conduct of business and the persistent exertion of body or mind. One of my favorite definitions includes unflagging effort with constant personal attention. Hence, when I define diligence, these are usually what I am using, close personal attention combined with unflagging effort to accomplish a task or fill a role.
I like an Indonesian proverb that proclaims the potential of diligence and encapsulates the possibility of diligent efforts.
“Diligence is the beginning of brilliance.”
As a child, Samuel Johnson’s words were often quoted:
“What we hope to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.”
Like the Indonesian proverb, Samuel Johnson’s words explicitly declare a truth; diligence is not observable in a single day or interaction. Diligence requires observation over time. Whether you like or dislike President Trump, was he diligent in performing the job as president; Yes. The media hounded him so severely that even on his vacations, he couldn’t catch a break. Whether you like or dislike President Biden, has he been diligent in performing the role of president; no, for he never fulfilled the role of Senator, unless you count selling influence as part of the role of being a senator.
I distinguish between two people that are regularly in the news. If you disagree, point to specific actions and their consequences to reflect a lack of diligent effort in performing the role of president. Critical thinking requires evaluation and honest appraisals of situations. Of the presidents I have observed, only President Reagan was more diligent than President Trump in fulfilling the role of president. Agree or disagree, but use the definitions of diligent and diligence to support and defend your judgments. The reverse is also true; the least diligent president to date is Biden, with only Obama and Carter rounding out the top three.
What is faithfulness?
Faithful is a word we should use more often and not when describing the actions of dogs! According to the dictionary, faithful includes aspects of truth, loyalty, constancy, and a character of being exact and reliable. Consider something faithful: being steadfast in affection and allegiance, being firm in your promises and observances of duty, and finally being true to facts, standards, and laws.
Mother Teresa is quoted as saying:
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Like tiny stones that fill gaps and plug holes in an earthen dam, the faithfulness of small things empowers the dam to remain strong. Consider the story of the Dutch kid with his finger in the dam, it was a small thing that broke, and it was a small thing that plugged the hole. Faithfulness is not about grand actions, large token gifts, and glorious virtue signals. Faithfulness is all about the small daily acts of charity, the defense of a friend when gossip comes, and the day-to-day carrying out of duty. Have you ever seen a butterfly’s wing under a microscope; little tiny feathers. Each little tiny feather being faithful allows the butterfly to fly. There is power in being faithful!
Consider two examples and determine which is faithful to their cause, even if you do not support their cause. Congresswoman A. Ocasio-Cortez went to the MET Gala event wearing a “Tax the Rich” message on her dress. Tickets cost upwards of $35,000, and other costs are always exorbitant for these affairs. Al Gore and the man-made climate change political machine demand that everyone else change their behavior, but not those directing the movement. Personal lives do not reflect the public image created, personal conduct does not reflect public demeanor towards the issues advocated, and individual lifestyle does not meet minimum standards to match words. By definition, is either of these two faithful to their causes? Why are they followed?
Never forget critical thinking requires observation and decision-making, using the best information available. More to the point, when critical thinking, you will always be asked to defend your positions logically. Emotion has no place in critical thinking, observation, and discernment.
What are prayers of faith?
A prayer of faith is a prayer that is made iwith complete confidence in God’s power. Consider the New Testament and instructions left by the master instructor. Jesus talked to His disciples repeatedly about prayer. He told them to pray for God’s kingdom to be represented on earth and for His will to be done; He told them to pray for their daily sustenance, for forgiveness, and strength against temptation. He also said to them that anything they asked for in His name, for God’s glory, would be done for them, and He assured them that God knows how to give good gifts to His children. Hence, prayers of faith are part of all Christian religions and sects, and you find similar teaching in Judaism and Muslim faiths and denominations. Therefore, when we discuss this particular topic, all people can look to the prayers of faith, confident that solutions will come. Yes, you are included atheists and other non-traditional religions, and whether you call it prayer, self-reflection, or becoming centered, please participate in prayers of faith.
I am not here to tell you what to pray for. I think President Trump asking for us to petition for more honest, transparent, forthright, and constitutionally sound leadership in elected officials is an excellent first step for America. I genuinely think having a knowledgeable, informed, and capable electorate is more important, and petitioning heaven’s help to achieve an informed electorate is critical. However, the first steps in improving the electorate are found inside each of us. Are we willing to be diligent and faithful in our actions, decisions, and lives publicly and privately and support the good in others? If we are not willing to be faithful and diligent, what good is keeping America alive?
I know my answers; how do you choose?
© 2021 M. Dave Salisbury
All Rights Reserved
The images used herein were obtained in the public domain; this author holds no copyright to the images displayed.
The Daily Signal reported some news that tickled my irony bone this morning, and I had to share. 
Where freedom of religion is concerned, I believe The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints says it best in their tenth Article of Faith:
An email in my inbox started me thinking of Johari Windows first thing this morning, and in the process of proving myself wrong, I learned some interesting things and figured I would share my journey of discovery. I am always fascinated when I prove myself wrong; I like it; mainly because it proves I am still human with a lot to learn!
As a kid, I was told to role model John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Colonel Sherman Potter, and even Father Mulcahy. I was told to despise those who weaseled on deals, liars, thieves, cheats, lawyers, and politicians. These people were necessary evils, but I never believed in a necessary evil. If you were evil, then you were not worth my time or support. I maintain that position to this day, and it disgusts me to no end when I have been hoodwinked by politicians I thought had integrity who turned out to be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Senator McCain, I am talking about you specifically, and I do not care that you are dead!
I guess it has been a couple of years now, I thought it had only been several weeks, but I had a conversation on the power of religion to improve integrity. I have found just as many atheists as religionists with integrity and just as many religionists as atheists without integrity; thus, I can only conclude that religion is a tool for improving integrity, but individual choice trumps religious flavor and fervor. Yet, religion does play a role in providing a moral background for building a solid foundation under a person with integrity. Seeing as atheism is a religion, I have no problems calling on religionists of the world to unite to provide a moral background to improve integrity where they currently live, work, and reside.
President Biden is utterly bereft of integrity, his children are also utterly bereft of integrity, and Hunter is the worst of the bunch. I do not wish to see how deplorable the grandchildren will be as they will be a millstone around America’s neck for a long time! Vice President Kamala Harris and her spouse are two people utterly bereft of anything approaching integrity, moral uprightness, or even common decency. They are joined by the Obama’s (including the children), the entire Clinton Machine, and the black hole of integrity has many others currently occupying seats in Washington DC for company.
Since we have so many examples of poor integrity, there must be examples of people with integrity. Thankfully the answer is yes, and they are easy to spot. Below are common ways to spot integrity, and I challenge you to look for and vocally support integrity where you find it. One of the best ways to show integrity is to appreciate integrity in others. Catch people doing good and vocally thank them. Send thank you cards. Send thank you emails. Remember them after the incident.
The following is the second part of the series on the proper and improper role of government. First, imperative to the discussion is a quick recap on the purpose of a government, and then we will discuss the actual role of government. Second, the following cannot be stressed enough, America was founded upon a Judeo-Christian understanding and philosophy. Other representative governments have removed the influence of religion globally, but America, thankfully, continues to keep it around. Third, nothing herein is to be misconstrued as supporting any single religion, including atheism and agnostics. My religious beliefs are not your business, just as your religious beliefs are not my business; we are not here to debate theology, philosophy, or anything but the government’s proper and improper role.
From many Judaic and Christian sources, one can find various systems of government in place throughout history. From despots of the most vile to the judges of Israel, which brought liberty and freedom instead of kings, one can find just about any form of government represented in historical texts of ancient date. More specifically, one can find the proper role of government, which is stated most simply in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints, specifically Section 134:2.
The founding fathers, and several of the first presidents in America, were considered statesmen. However, statesmen are not merely politicians, and politicians are never statesmen! A statesman is a person who is well versed in the principles or art of government, actively engaged in conducting the business of government or in shaping its policies. The statesmen are respected for their skill, diplomacy, power to communicate ideas, and being principled. Thus, the statesmen are morally upright and can be trusted to understand why they are morally principled and why the law should be morally centered. It cannot be stressed enough. The true statesmen values principles over popularity and works to create popularity for political principles in government operations that are morally sound and bring the most freedom to the most people.
Now, returning to the proper role of government, any form of government instituted by man, we find the following as guidance in measuring said governmental role. From D&C 134;1-2, 5:
The improper role of government begins with refusing to accept that government power is limited to only those powers the citizens grant the government. Thankfully, there is a simple test for understanding what powers the government has or does not have. The test: Can you order your neighbor to pay for welfare for another person? If not, the government does not have this right or power. Can your neighbor call you to pay subsidies to them for keeping their lawn and home maintained? If not, the government does not have the right to spend taxpayer money to subsidize another person’s housing. This simple test relates the power of government, the government’s improper role, and reasonable government restrictions.
Legal plunder is theft through the misuse of the power of government. Consider the following example, your paycheck. On that paycheck, the Federal and State governments demand money from you, not earned but forced through jurisprudence and legislative fiat, and those funds are given to another person. As a private citizen, if I took your wallet and removed money from it, I would be guilty of theft and liable to the penalties of criminal and civil law, even if I did not keep your cash but donated it to a charitable organization. Remember, the simple test that details the difference between the proper and improper role of government.
Why does it matter?
Rome made global history when it wrote down its laws and posted these laws in a manner that told everyone that the law was the highest order in the land, and everyone is held to the same legal standard. Writing down laws was nothing new in societies; the Jews had written and codified their laws long before Rome, but to hold everyone accountable to the same legal standard set Rome apart and blessed their land. Why did Rome eventually fall; they stopped holding everyone responsible to one rule of law.
Consider today’s tragic events in Boulder, Colorado. Before the blood was even clean at the scene, we have the President and selected hysterical gun-grabbing politicians making hay and demanding “gun reform.” Except, “Gun Reform” always means stealing guns from legal owners and doing nothing about illegal gun holders. Nothing is being urged to avoid and eliminate criminal behaviors with a firearm. The Rule of Law’s role only applies to those who choose to live according to society’s laws and rules. Those choosing to live outside society’s rules are terrorists and need to be treated as such!
What is the “Rule of Law?”
Like Rome, the legislators and the President are not above the “Rule of Law.” Even though these people continue to consider themselves above the “Rule of Law.” Worse, no matter how many laws a country produces, if the society is immoral, the “Rule of Law” is a joke. Consider the knife and machete attacks in the United Kingdom, outlaw guns, and people are still finding ways and means to hurt other people. France has stringent laws, yet people rent vehicles and mow their neighbors down in case lots. Japan, very orderly society; how do criminals make the news there; they use chemicals to poison their neighbors on a subway. Laws do not dictate moral behavior, ever!
I am not saying everyone needs to change religions; I am claiming that religion plays a significant role in reducing people’s animal minds to become amenable to living in a social order that respects the law and being ruled by law to enjoy maximum freedom. We also need to be clear, 
Recently, Atheist Republic posted a question on LinkedIn that was intriguing and promoting a multi-week discussion. As I seemed to have kicked over an anthill, I figured I would expound on the principles discussed to more fully detail why atheism is just another religion. Agree or disagree as you choose; however, all I ask is your consideration of the ideas discussed. Through the use of language and the accepted definitions from reputable sources, I posit that atheists and theists are closer together than they are apart. Atheists have taken for their religion the only belief that separates, a cognitive refusal to believe in god, God, or gods, as supreme authorities in the cosmos. Other items that can be considered religions include daily routines. When taken too far, consumerism becomes a religion to those thus engaged, as do sports, debt, and any other belief that creates enthusiasm in the individual. Many theists will find significant support among atheists regarding these different beliefs.
Atheists do not have a belief structure in god, God, and gods. An absolute insistence that there are no supreme beings is a belief structure and an organized belief system. Consider for a moment that a particular religion believes that a gigantic beet runs the universe; the atheist would automatically reject this for lack of evidence. Star Trek: Next Generation had “Q,” a potent being in the galaxy; again, a supreme power the atheist will reject out of hand. I met an atheist and a theist who both insisted that their belief systems allowed them to be rude, crude, disrespectful, and so forth as a method of worshiping and acting — proving, to me, that individual belief is stronger than training and the traditions of their parents, communities, and society. Two more miserable people I have never found an equal; yet, together, these two people found and lived after their manner and understanding of happiness.
I have found that atheists have a specific personal belief structure regarding god, God, or gods that then is projected onto others. While many times the atheists are not finding their expected belief structure reflected, the atheist becomes hostile to all others they come in contact with and attempt to change other people’s beliefs through legal or other force mechanisms. Individual belief, even if not shared, can be considered a religion to that person; hence, Webster’s definition is very accurate and applicable to this discussion. Regardless of the belief in god, God, or gods, there are other beliefs of supreme importance to the atheist that makes up their religion. The Cambridge Unabridged Dictionary carries a similar definition, “an activity that someone is extremely enthusiastic about and regularly does.”
One of the most egregious issues in our world today is the plasticization of words to exclude all definitions, but the “common” definition, usually known as the first definition found in a dictionary. Common definitions do not provide the complete etiology of a word; thus, closing minds to the language’s glory. As a noun, theology defines as “religious beliefs and theory when systematically developed.” Hence, when taken together, religion being beliefs that are of supreme importance, when systematically considered and developed, can be attached to any belief one chooses to raise to the level of devotion. Even non-belief is regarded as a religion and theology. People have chosen belief structures that include thousands of different topics, including, but not limited to, people, animals, and methods of living. I have met footballers, American and European, whose devotion to their sport is a religion! I know one religion that worships making beer; thus, belief and non-belief in god, God, or gods is not so farfetched.
Atheists and Theists have a belief structure centered around god, God, or gods. I have met many beautiful people who were raised in homes with a belief structure that was absent a centrally recognized god, God, or gods, whom theists would term “non-believers,” atheists would term “atheists,” and both terms would not apply. To first be a theist or atheist, one must have been taught about a god, God, or gods. The people I discuss have a belief structure and system made from their fathers/mothers, tribes, and society’s traditions. Thus, they are not unbelievers or non-believers, as they have a belief structure and system. They are not atheists as they have not been taught god, God, or gods; thus, the only term I know to use is “person.” We choose the labels we call ourselves.
Inherent to understanding Freedom of religion, by necessity, requires understanding “Freedom from religion.” However, a specific set of beliefs that a person is enthusiastic about forms a religious belief; thus, the phrase “Freedom from religion” itself is a misnomer and fallacy. The separation of church and state is meant to protect your right to believe and not believe in a supreme being, defending your beliefs from government oppression. Then no religion can claim authority over others, and all are equal and free to exist without fear. Atheists are covered by the Freedom of religion, as are theists. The Freedom of Religion clause in the US Constitution implies a people can rid themselves of all religion as a personal choice and ritual, without cause to fear reprisals from any government body.
Dogma, “a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.” This definition is straight from Webster and a congruent description found in the Cambridge dictionary. By experience, every atheist I have ever crossed paths with, takes upon themselves the authority to lay down the principle of no supreme being, as incontrovertibly true, plus belligerently insists that all others must bow to this belief structure. I am not saying this makes the atheist right or wrong; I am saying that atheism has a dogma, and is very much a religion, and a religious belief, based solely upon not believing in a supreme being.
DNC-Consulting 