Pope Benedict XVI Praises U.S. Freedom

by Amanda Carpenter - April 16th, 2008 - Townhall.com

The Pope said, “America's quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the Creator.”

“Freedom is not only a gift but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience,” he said. “Almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self - discipline, sacrifice for the common good, and a sense of responsibility toward the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one's deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate. In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be (inaudible) for the cause of good.”

Of the world's religions, Catholicism has been most aware of the conflict between God granting man free will and the evils of socialism. Though many secularists, and even people who claim to be Christians, insist they are simply trying to do good works, the evils of socialism are well known. It is superficial to try and claim the belief God wants us to live good lives is furtherd by making it a government demand, enforced by the power of the state. Socialism always slips rapidly into an abusive form of goverment, its good intentions subverted by the corruption of individual public officials.

Shortly thereafter, these and other officials always denounce God and try to replace reverence for God's will with subservience to the state. Freedom of religion is always one of the first freedoms the state takes away.

No matter whether you call it socialist or liberal or progressive or "compassionate conservative", all forms of government provided good works deteriorate into slavery for most and oppressive power for the few. The battle then becomes who gets to be the power.