Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 November Election Day Results (published 11-29-2024; article #503)

Photograph by Janine Robinson on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Twenty-four days ago, it was finally over. On the day after Thanksgiving, I am thankful that it is behind us now. I am relieved.

The recent presidential election result was better than four years ago. Lord willing, Donald Trump, the 45th president, will become the 47th president next year on Monday, January 20. I held my nose and voted for him on Election Day, November 5th.

Welcome to the 25th entry in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section, dear reader. This article is a follow-up to the three-part series from last month.

What is the origin of the phrase “Don't let the camel get its nose under the tent”? The conclusion will explain. Further, it will share my Black Friday humor from yesterday, on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone except a first cousin of my wife understood it.

Last Month's Three-Part Series

Late last month, I published a three-part series on the then-upcoming election day. The focus was on political worldviews in conflict. The lofty goal was to encourage this nation and every nation to unite under the biblical worldview.

Part one, on 10/29/2024, focused on the ground view and then the aerial view of the political worldviews in conflict. Part two, the next day, contrasted the 2024 Republican Party platform with the 2024 Democrat Party platform. The final part on Halloween contrasted the positions of former President Trump and current Vice President Harris on key issues.

The noble efforts by many Christian commentators, orators, and writers that encourage political unity based on the biblical worldview may continue to fall on deaf ears. Perhaps enough are being persuaded.

2024 Election Results

President

The November 5th presidential election marked the sixtieth presidential election cycle, since President Washington became the first president in 1789. Thankfully, former President Trump defeated Vice President Harris.

The electoral college votes were 312 for Trump and 226 for Harris, with 270 needed to win. Trump won the popular vote with 76,838,984 votes (50%) to Harris' 74,327,659 votes (48.4%). Trump carried 31 states. Harris won 19 states plus the District of Columbia (DC). Source: Google: 2024 US elections: Results: Presidential.

For recent perspective, National Archives: Electoral College Results shows the following electoral college results:

2016: Donald Trump, 304. Hillary Clinton, 227.

2020: Joseph Biden Jr., 306. Donald Trump, 232.

The previously referenced source shows upcoming “Key Dates and Events” as follows:

● By December 11, 2024, electors are appointed: “The State Executive of each State signs the Certificate of Ascertainment to appoint the electors chosen in the general election.”

● On December 17, 2024, electors vote: “The electors in each state meet to select the President and Vice President of the United States.”

● On January 6, 2025, “Congress counts the vote: Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes (unless Congress passes a law to change the date from a Saturday or Sunday).”

● January 20, 2025, is Inauguration Day: “The President-Elect is sworn in as President of the United States.”

Let us hope, trust, and pray that all goes well between now and Inauguration Day. May the incoming administration govern by and influence this nation to follow the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. That is my hope and prayer. Those noble documents are based on the biblical worldview.

Senate

The Senate, composed of 100 senators, flipped to a slim Republican majority. With 53 seats, Republicans gained four seats and took control of the Senate. The four seats that flipped Republican were in Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Democrats gained one seat in Arizona. Democrats hold 45 seats, but two independent senators caucus with Democrats, giving Democrats 47 seats.

Thirty-four Senate seats were up for election, including 19 held by Democrats, 11 held by Republicans, and four held by Independents. Of the 34 seats, nine were open, since the incumbent did not seek reelection. Republicans won 15 seats, gaining the four stated previously. Democrats won 17 seats. Independents won two seats. The two independent senators that caucus with Democrats won reelection in Maine and Vermont. Sources: Ballotpedia: United States Senate Elections: 2024; Google: 2024 US elections: Results: Senate; Politico: 2024 Election: Results: Senate; and 270toWin: 2024 Senate Election Live Results.

I cast my vote proudly for incumbent Senator Marsha Blackburn. She defeated her rather raucous and obviously socialist-Democrat opponent by a landslide.

Partisan bickering may continue. Republicans lacking backbones may give in to socialist agendas. I hope not. Instead, I hope that the Republican majority has a collective backbone, does not waver, and advances an agenda that follows the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Those impressive documents align with the biblical worldview.

House

Elections were held for all 435 districts of the House of Representatives. Before the election, the Republicans held a slim majority by seven members over the Democrats, 221 to 214.

Amazingly, twenty-four days after the election, one House race in California is yet to be called! After Election Day, the Republicans still hold a thin majority, by six members, 220 Republicans to 214 Democrats. That totals 434 members, with one race still undecided but leaning Democrat. Sources: Ballotpedia: Election results, 2024: U.S. House; Google: 2024 US elections: Results: House; Politico: 2024 Election: Results: House; and 270toWin: 2024 House Election Live Results.

I was honored to vote for incumbent Congressman Tim Burchett, who represents the 2nd District. The Democrat opposing him didn't have a snowball's chance in an extremely hot location.

Presumably, the divided House of Representatives will continue to play tug of war. Republicans should be strong and united enough to pull Democrats into the mud pit most of the time. Perhaps Republicans will be able to pull Democrats through the socialist mud pit and onto their side, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are upheld. Those impressive documents hold true to the biblical worldview.

Conclusion

On the day after Thanksgiving, I decided to finish and publish this article. I had shelved it for several days. Concluding thoughts focus first on the origin of the phrase “Don't let the camel get its nose under the tent.”

Research indicates that it is an old Arab proverb. A man takes shelter in his tent from a sandstorm. Outside, his camel endures the sandstorm, as it is designed to do. The camel, seeking to be more comfortable, asks polite permission to place his nose under a tent flap, to better protect it from the blowing sand. Sympathetically, the man agrees. The camel progressively and so politely continues to ask to allow more of his body to enter the tent. The man proceeds with his compassionate allowance. Eventually, all the camel's body is in the tent with the man. The small tent is now cramped. The camel, being larger than the man, aggressively forces him out of the tent and into the sandstorm.

On the day after Thanksgiving, I am thankful that a slim majority of voters had enough sense to keep the socialist camel from slipping further into the tent. Moreover, I hope that the socialist camel will be pushed completely out of the tent. It can stay outside in the sandstorm, where it belongs.

Final concluding thoughts focus on my Black Friday humor from yesterday, Thanksgiving Day. Yesterday, eight family members and a family friend gathered at my father-in-law's home. I wanted to hike House Mountain, before the traditional meal, but the damp, windy, and cloudy weather prohibited me. After the delicious meal, over which my father-in-law gave thanks, various conversations flowed like gravy over slices of turkey.

Some of the ladies were discussing their shopping today on Black Friday. I had the opening. I took it! In sarcastic humor, I complained that the term “Black Friday” was offensive. In jest, I suggested that today should be called “Person of Color Friday,” so as to not offend those, whose skin is much darker than mine. Everyone except a first cousin of my wife understood my satire. I even stated that I was speaking in humor, as if I held a so-called “woke” mentality.

I left before my wife, who had arrived earlier and stayed later than me. After I departed for home, I learned that, in total seriousness, this cousin-in-law had accused me, behind my back, of being racist! The man made the accusation, while outside with my wife and our niece. My wife told me, once she arrived home.

In loving kindness as a Christian, I may need to confront and correct my cousin-in-law, if he persists in his false accusation. Articles from last year offer my statements on the “woke” mindset (1/22/2023) and on racism (3/17/2023). I suggest that my wife's cousin read those articles.

In final close, on this infamous shopping day after Thanksgiving, what did my wife and I do? Well, she visited with her nearby family. I hauled off the trash and recycling and did a few household errands. This morning, the weather was cloudy. The afternoon, while I was about my chores, had turned sunny, cool, and breezy. I should have gone hiking, as I did on this day last year!

Belated happy Thanksgiving to you all! Please don't tell me that you endured the mass hysteria of shopping on Black Friday! By the way, the article from 12/1/2023, about my hike on this day last year, includes the following:

. . . Black Friday started, in 1869, when two investors caused a market crash of 20%. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, changed the meaning of Black Friday, to mean tourism and shopping. In the late 1980s, Black Friday became widely known as the frenzied shopping day after Thanksgiving. It's called Black Friday, not Red Friday, since accountants use red ink for financial losses and black ink for financial gains.

Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 Presidential Election (Part 3): 2024 Trump versus Harris on Key Issues (published 10-31-2024; article #500)

“A bench with a message written on it: street art on a public bench. Our differences don’t have to divide us.” By Nick Fewings, Brighton, UK, Unsplash, 3/2/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Yes, our differences don't have to divide us. If every person followed the correct worldview, then our minor differences could be resolved fairly easily. The purpose of this three-part series has been to focus our attention on the correct worldview. The goal is to unite this divided nation by encouraging everyone to stand solidly on and follow the biblical worldview.

This series is focusing on the forthcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. Part one, the article from two days ago, centered on the ground and aerial views of the conflicting political worldviews. Yesterday's article contrasted the 2024 Republican Party platform with the 2024 Democrat Party platform and concluded that the Republican platform is more in line with the biblical worldview.

This final part three contrasts the positions of former President Trump and current Vice President Harris on key issues. This is the twenty-fourth entry in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section. The conclusion will explain why I am voting for which candidate next Tuesday.

Trump's Key Issues

The Donald J. Trump: Platform is succinct (three-page printout) and includes the following 20 core promises (key issues):

1. Seal the border and stop the migrant invasion.
2. Carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.
3. End inflation, and make America affordable again.
4. Make America the dominant energy producer in the world, by far!
5. Stop outsourcing, and turn the United States into a manufacturing superpower.
6. Large tax cuts for workers, and no tax on tips!
7. Defend our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms.
8. Prevent World War Three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great iron dome missile defense shield over our entire country -- all made in America.
9. End the weaponization of government against the American people.
10. Stop the migrant crime epidemic, demolish the foreign drug cartels, crush gang violence, and lock up violent offenders.
11. Rebuild our cities, including Washington, DC, making them safe, clean, and beautiful again.
12. Strengthen and modernize our military, making it, without question, the strongest and most powerful in the world.
13. Keep the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency.
14. Fight for and protect Social Security and Medicare with no cuts, including no changes to the retirement age.
15. Cancel the electric vehicle mandate and cut costly and burdensome regulations.
16. Cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.
17. Keep men out of women's sports.
18. Deport pro-HAMAS radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again.
19. Secure our elections, including same-day voting, voter identification, paper ballots, and proof of citizenship.
20. Unite our country by bringing it to new and record levels of success.

The website directs to the 2024 Republican Party Platform, which my previous article referenced.

Harris' Key Issues

The Kamala Harris: Issues are more verbose (seven pages in original, expanded format) and include the following four key issues, each with bullet point specifications:

Build an Opportunity Economy and Lower Costs for Families.

• Cut taxes for middle-class families.
• Make rent more affordable and home ownership more attainable.
• Grow small businesses and invest in entrepreneurs.
• Take on bad actors and bring down costs.
• Strengthen and bring down the cost of health care.
• Protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.
• Support American innovation and workers.
• Provide a pathway to the middle class through quality, affordable education.
• Invest in affordable child care and long-term care.
• Lower energy costs and tackle the climate crisis.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

Safeguard Our Fundamental Freedoms.

• Restore and protect reproductive freedoms.
• Protect civil rights and freedoms.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

Ensure Safety and Justice for All.

• Make our communities safer from gun violence and crime.
• Secure our borders and fix our broken immigration system.
• Tackle the opioid and fentanyl crises.
• Ensure no one is above the law.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

Keep America Safe, Secure, and Prosperous.

• Stand with our allies, stand up to dictators, and lead on the world stage.
• Invest in America's sources of strength.
• Support service members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
• Trump's Project 2025 Agenda.

I didn't expand the twenty-three bullet points for this article. Online, each is expandable. I read the introductory material to the four key items and each bullet point under the key items.

The introduction to the first key item includes a link to New Way Forward for the Middle Class, an online, 82-page PDF file. The Table of Contents, on page 3, includes thirteen chapters in two sections. Glancing through the document, I was put off by the citing of so-called experts that are claimed to support Harris' economic plan over Trump's. I wondered why Harris, as sitting Vice President these last four years, has not already implemented her plan.

“Trump's Project 2025 Agenda” is the final bullet point under each of the above four key issues. Claims that Trump has a “Project 2025 Agenda” have been debunked several times. See, for example, “Project 2025 is an effort by the Heritage Foundation, not Donald Trump | Fact check.” USA Today, by BrieAnna J. Frank, 7/10/2024, and The Truth About Project 2025: The Heritage Foundation. Harris' statements about “Trump's Project 2025 Agenda” are false on the face of it.

Trump versus Harris on Key Issues

I am concerned about the size, redundancy, waste, and competence in the federal government. It should be downsized dramatically. Wasteful federal spending should be eliminated. The federal budget should be balanced every year. The national debt should be reduced and eliminated. The national economy needs to be strong. National borders must be secured. Giving illegal aliens free transportation, phones, lodging, and so forth is something that the federal government should never have even imagined doing. These and other issues are on my mind.

As a Christian and adherent to the biblical worldview, key issues for me are abortion (the killing of an unborn child in the mother's womb) and all efforts (i.e., critical race theory, cancel culture, so-called gender fluidity, and so forth) that contradict my worldview.

Former President Trump stands for the right of an unborn child to life outside the womb. In contrast, Vice President Harris, under “Safeguard Our Fundamental Freedoms: Restore and protect reproductive freedoms,” using euphemisms, affirms her desire to allow the killing of unborn children to continue. Remember, “reproductive freedom” and “a woman's right to choose” are euphemisms for killing an unborn child, for reasons other than to save the life of the mother.

Agendas such as critical race theory, cancel culture, so-called gender fluidity, and so forth are not in line with the biblical worldview. Former President Trump stands against those alternate worldviews. Vice President Harris, in contrast, under “Safeguard Our Fundamental Freedoms: Protect civil rights and freedoms,” touts her stand and actions that promote same-sex marriage and the LGBTQI+ lifestyle. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary: LGBTQI (abbreviation): “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), and intersex.”)

Conclusion

On election day next Tuesday, Lord willing, I plan to hold my nose and vote for former President Trump. The reason is clear. The Republican Party and Donald Trump are more in line with the biblical worldview than the other choice.

Both candidates and parties need to tone down the rhetoric and display true statesmanship. I am not fond of Trump, but he is better than the other option.

If this nation and all nations could unite by following correctly the biblical worldview, then there would be unity and peace. A nation divided cannot stand. To be truly united, this nation and every nation need to unite under the biblical worldview. This three-part series ends with that hope in mind.

Happy Halloween!

Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 Presidential Election (Part 2): 2024 Republican versus Democrat Platforms (published 10-30-2024; article #499)

“A bench with a message written on it: street art on a public bench. Our differences don’t have to divide us.” By Nick Fewings, Brighton, UK, Unsplash, 3/2/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Yesterday's article introduced this three-part series that focuses on the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. This part two is the twenty-third entry in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section.

This article contrasts the 2024 Republican Party platform with the 2024 Democrat Party platform. Which platform is more in line with the biblical worldview? The conclusion answers that question.

Definitions

First, let us take a moment to see how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Republican and Democrat or Democratic. This may seem like an elementary exercise, but defining terms points out contrasts.

According to Merriam-Webster: Republican (noun and adjective), a Republican is a member of the Republican Party, also called the Grand Old Party (GOP). The Republican Party is “associated with reduced taxation, with limited government regulation of business, finance, industry, education, and policing, with strong national defense, and with opposition to abortion, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that are viewed as challenging traditional social and family hierarchies and structure.”

Merriam-Webster: Democrat (noun) and Merriam-Webster: democratic (adjective) state that a Democrat is a member of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party is “associated with government regulation of business, finance, and industry, with federally funded educational and social services, with separation of church and state, with support for abortion rights, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that protect and support the rights of workers and minorities, and with internationalism and multilateralism in foreign policy.”

These dictionary definitions present several contrasts. A direct contrast is on abortion. Abortion, a euphemism, is killing an unborn child in the mother's womb. Republicans oppose abortion, with rare exceptions, and protect the lives of unborn children. Democrats support a woman's so-called right to kill her unborn child and do not protect that child's right to life. Another contrast is that Republicans support traditional family and social values. Democrats, as will be shown more fully, promote alternative lifestyles.

2024 Republican Platform

The Republican Party has two official websites: Republican National Committee (GOP.com) and Republican National Committee (RNC.org). The sites mirror each other. The party formed in 1854, initially to abolish slavery. The “principles of the Republican Party” affirm “God-given liberties.”

The 2024 Republican platform is online at the 43rd Republican National Convention: The 2024 Republican Platform: Make America Great Again! (RNC.org). It is a 28-page document. The Preamble, pages 4-7, includes twenty promises. The Table of Contents, pages 11-22, includes ten chapters. The light font on a white background is hard on the eyes.

Reading the 28-page platform, I found interesting or agreed with most of the contents. Of humorous interest, on page 14, the conclusion to Chapter 3 expresses the Republican desire to return astronauts to the Moon and send them to Mars. They even want to build an orbital manufacturing industry above the Earth! Those are pipe dreams, Star Trek-like fantasies, considering the ever-increasing federal deficit.

A point of serious interest is on page 18, under Chapter 7.9: Return Education to the States. It indicates that the Republican Party wants “to close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. and send it back to the States, where it belongs, and let the States run our educational system as it should be run.” That is a good idea. Just ask my wife. As an educator, she despises the federal Department of Education.

At the bottom of page 18, I firmly agree with Chapter 8.1: Empower American Families. It states, “Republicans will promote a Culture that values the Sanctity of Marriage, the blessings of childhood, the foundational role of families, and supports working parents. We will end policies that punish families.” Marriage is the union between one man and one woman, nothing else. The article from 12/15/2022 addresses this topic.

Most importantly, on page 20, I wholeheartedly agree with Chapter 9.4: Republicans Will Protect and Defend a Vote of the People, from within the States, on the Issue of Life. That section affirms, “We proudly stand for families and Life. We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights. After 51 years, because of us, that power has been given to the States and to a vote of the People. We will oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies that advance Prenatal Care, access to Birth Control, and IVF (fertility treatments).” My full statement affirming the pro-life position is in the 6/30/2022 article.

In further agreement, on page 21, is Chapter 9.5: Republicans Will End Left-wing Gender Insanity. It states, “We will keep men out of women’s sports, ban Taxpayer funding for sex change surgeries, and stop Taxpayer-funded Schools from promoting gender transition, reverse Biden’s radical rewrite of Title IX Education Regulations, and restore protections for women and girls.” There are two genders, male and female. The unbiblical notion that men can “transition” to become women, or vice versa, is truly appalling and insane.

2024 Democrat Platform

The Democrat Party has one official website, the Democratic National Committee. Founded in 1848, the Democrat Party is “the oldest continuing political party in the United States.”

The '24 Democratic Party Platform is a 92-page online document, over three times larger than the 2024 Republican Platform. The brief Preamble is on pages 2-3. The Table of Contents, pages 4-19, includes nine chapters. The brighter font on a white background is easier to read.

Reading the 92-page platform, a couple of general thoughts came to mind. First, fact-checking the accuracy of the accomplishments claimed is needed. The platform reads as if, in the last four years, much has improved and that all is well. Why do many Americans, including me, not feel that way? Further, the platform frequently demonizes and attacks the previous president, Donald Trump. Being no fan of the former president, I was put off by that negativity on the platform.

On pages 30-38, Chapter Four: Tackling the Climate Crisis, Lowering Energy Costs, & Securing Energy Independence, drew my attention. Man-made global climate change is a hoax, perpetrated by global socialist propaganda. I can unpack and prove that statement, if anyone challenges me to do so.

Strong disagreement is found on pages 48-50, Chapter Six: Strengthening Democracy, Protecting Freedoms, & Advancing Equity: Reproductive Freedom. Except in rare circumstances, killing the unborn child in the mother's womb is murder. The unborn child is not granted the right to choose life.

Still under Chapter Six: Strengthening Democracy, Protecting Freedoms, & Advancing Equity, an entire section on pages 56-57 is titled LGBTQI+. “LGBTQI+” is found 32 times in that section. In contrast, the 2024 Republican platform does not include the acronym “LGBTQ” or any variations of it. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: LGBTQI (abbreviation): “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), and intersex.” There are two genders, male and female. Only in marriage, between one man and one woman, are sexual relations allowed. In loving kindness, Christians wish to and do help those, who are engaged in unbiblical lifestyles, to understand the truth and change their lifestyles. The Republican platform aligns with these ideas. The Democrat platform does not.

Conclusion

Taking time to read the 2024 platforms of the Republican and Democrat parties and to write this article was cumbersome. I would rather have gone hiking.

Both platforms present agendas for border security, the economy, and similar topics. The border needs to be secured. Inflationary prices need to return to previously lower levels. Both parties need to become more civil in their discourse.

So, which platform, the Republican or the Democrat, is more in line with the biblical worldview? The Republican platform is, of course. This article has highlighted key areas.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, the final part three in this series will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues. Stay tuned!

If this nation and all nations could unite by following correctly the biblical worldview, then there would be unity and peace.

Worldviews in Conflict: 2024 Presidential Election (Part 1): Ground and Aerial Views of the Conflict (published 10-29-2024; article #498)

“A bench with a message written on it: street art on a public bench. Our differences don’t have to divide us.” By Nick Fewings, Brighton, UK, Unsplash, 3/2/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Yes, our differences, political or otherwise, don't have to divide us. They often do.

This article begins a three-part series that focuses on the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Election day is next Tuesday, November 5th. Early voting has already begun. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman voted early last Saturday. I plan, Lord willing, to vote on election day.

This three-part series, with articles published a day apart, will be the twenty-second through twenty-forth entries in the Worldviews in Conflict topic section. This is the twenty-second entry in that section.

After defining key terms, this part one focuses on the ground view and then the aerial view of the political worldviews in conflict. The forthcoming part two will contrast the worldviews of the Republican and Democrat platforms. The final part three will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues.

Political divisions are one aspect of opposing worldviews in conflict that divide this so-called United States. A nation divided cannot stand. To be truly united, this nation and every nation need to unite under the biblical worldview.

Key Definitions

Reviewing the previous twenty-one entries in this topic section, from 6/7/2022 to 5/29/2024, I realized that I have not yet defined worldview. Merriam-Webster Dictionary: worldview defines worldview as “a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world, especially from a specific standpoint.” I understand “world,” in the definition, to mean human society.

By analogies, a worldview is a frame of mind through which a person views the world. It is a lens that sees, focuses on, and contextualizes human thought and events. Ultimately, our worldview is a compass that guides our values, thoughts, and actions, either in the wrong or right direction. Everyone has a worldview, even if it is not realized or articulated.

Further, Merriam-Webster Dictionary: biblical states that biblical is “of, relating to, or being in accord with the Bible.” The Bible is the divinely and exclusively inspired and authoritative scriptures, consisting of 39 Old Testament manuscripts and 27 New Testament writings. The correct hermeneutical understanding, interpretation, acceptance, and application of the Bible is to be biblical.

Thus, having a biblical worldview is when a person follows the Bible properly and guides his or her values, thoughts, decisions, and conduct accordingly. Such a person is not sinless and will make mistakes. He or she, however, will check the compass to stay on or return to the biblical path.

Ground View of the Conflict

Viewed from the ground, military battles are chaotic, bloody, and violent, to say the least. The daily media onslaught about the 2024 presidential election cycle is similar to a battlefield. It is frequently aggravating, childish, and frustrating. The constant barrage of coverage is similar to salvos of cannon fire on a battlefield.

My father, if he were still alive, would be proud of Mrs. Appalachian Irishman! Dad enjoyed watching the 24-7 news channels. Eventually, he preferred to watch C-SPAN. He liked the ground view. My wife seems to enjoy the same view of the current election cycle. Political events, conflicts, statements, reactions, and opinions intrigue her.

Not me. It sounds like a bunch of chickens crowing and cackling in a chicken coop. I keep up with important and relevant facts. Otherwise, I focus on the aerial view of the political conflict. This current presidential election cycle started too soon. I will not end soon enough.

Aerial View of the Conflict

Aerial surveillance of a ground battle provides an overview of the fighting below. It gives perspective. Similarly, a person's worldview sees the overarching and conflicting worldviews that are guiding each party and candidate. A person's worldview determines how he or she votes. The party and candidates that align more closely with a voter's worldview get his or her vote.

From an aerial view, neither the Democrat nor the Republican Party is completely aligned with the biblical worldview. Which party is more in step with the biblical worldview? How is one party more oriented to that worldview than the other? The next two upcoming articles will answer those questions.

Conclusion

Political differences don't have to divide us. If every party, candidate, and voter followed the biblical worldview, then minor differences about political minutia could be easily resolved.

Divisions, whether political or otherwise, are discouraging. The pericope in the Gospel of Mark 3:20-35 describes Jesus' response to the irrational conclusion that teachers of the law drew from his miracles. A part of Jesus' reply is in verses 24-25 (NIV):

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

On June 16, 1858, then senator-elect Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, spoke at the close of the Illinois Republican State convention in Springfield, Illinois. Having been named the Republican candidate for US Senator, Mr. Lincoln addressed the divisive problem of slavery. In that context, paraphrasing Jesus' words, he stated, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” [Source: Abraham Lincoln, “A House Divided'' Speech at Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858: “Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 2 [Sept. 3, 1848-Aug. 21, 1858].” Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections.]

Thankfully, this nation, once divided by the evils of slavery, united against that immorality, having endured unspeakable conflict. What now divides the so-named United States of America? What is the root cause of these divisions?

The root cause is opposing worldviews. Published tomorrow, part two of this series will contrast the worldviews of the Republican and Democrat platforms. On Halloween, the final part three will point out differences between the worldviews of Trump and Harris on key issues.

Recommended Reading: Professor Harold Black's Webpage (published 5-29-2024; article #473)

Introduction

The article from 4/13/2024 recommended CultureWatch: Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day. The distance from this area to Melbourne, Australia, is about 9,760 miles.

This twenty-first entry under the topic section Worldviews in Conflict recommends a gentleman closer to home, Dr. Harold A. Black. Professor Harold Black’s Webpage is one of three under the “Folks, to Whom I Subscribe” section of this website. I came across his website on leap day (2/29/2024). Before then, I was familiar with Dr. Black, and I had heard him as a guest on local radio stations.

The most recent occasion was Sunday afternoon, 5/19/2024. Dr. Black was a guest on “State Your Case with George Korda” on NewsTalk 98.7 WOKI-FM (Knoxville, TN). The show airs on Sundays, from 12 to 2 PM. As one of the call-ins, I was privileged to speak with Dr. Black. I'd like to meet this good man and engage him in deep conversation, while we sip coffee.

Recommending Dr. Harold Black

Why do I recommend Dr. Harold A. Black and his website? First, he is a man of gravitas, which means dignity of bearing in Latin. Dr. Black's website includes his prestigious and professional biography. Among his many accomplishments, he is a professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Second, Dr. Black rose to the highest levels of academic, professional, and personal achievements, despite racist and economic obstacles. Not barriers, they were obstacles, over which Dr. Black hurdled. In March, I was moved by his article, “Up from poverty,” Professor Harold Black’s Webpage, 3/13/2024. Two days after the article was published, I attempted to enter the following comment, which does not appear under the article, probably due to an online glitch:

Thank you, Dr. Black, for sharing this amazing story about your family and your ancestors! Despite the impoverished beginnings, especially during the evils of slavery, the focus on hard work and education improved the economic lives as the generations unfolded. This is a wonderful tribute to your ancestors.

If I were a betting man, which I am not, I'd bet a dollar (which ain't worth much these days) that all or most of your ancestors were excellent Christian examples, whom the later generations followed. Did I win the dollar?

Yesterday, in 1983, the Lord took my maternal grandfather to his everlasting and heavenly home. (He was born in 1901.) Papaw's work ethic, despite some minor health problems, was guided by his life as an outstanding Christian example to many, especially to Mom and to me. I wonder if your ancestors and mine have met in heaven. Wouldn't we like to hear their conversations?

Thank you again for sharing a wonderful story and lesson. I hope that your readers, who need to do so, will heed your lesson.

Third, Dr. Harold A. Black is a proficient speaker and writer. His lectures, consultations, and journal publications span several decades. Professor Harold Black’s Webpage includes articles from 12/17/2021 to the current month. (The articles are not indexed by year, month, or topic.) His previous online platform was Caveat Emptor: Professor Harold Black's Blog. (In Latin, “caveat emptor” means “buyer beware.”) I counted 413 articles from 10/14/2008 to 12/23/2013.

Of special interest to the Knoxville, Tennessee, area, Dr. Black is one of twelve columnists for The Knoxville Focus. His first column was published on 1/25/2021, when he was 75. His weekly columns are published each Monday. I read his first column and several of his recent ones.

Finally, and most importantly, Dr. Harold A. Black focuses on the right moral and economic values. His opposition to immorality, socialism, and all forms of tyranny is obvious. His worldview originates from his ethical upbringing. His personal and academic life expanded and deepened that worldview. His is a legacy worthy of following.

Conclusion

On 5/19/2024, while on hold during my call-in to the radio station, I heard The Rolling Stones' song “Brown Sugar” play as lead-in music. Mentally, I questioned the engineer's wisdom in selecting that song, with Dr. Harold Black as the guest. After that lead-in, Dr. Black kindly requested that the host never allow The Rolling Stones songs to be played as bumper music, when he is a guest. Reading the lyrics to “Brown Sugar,” Dr. Black educated the host, and he educated me, as I listened on hold.

On Memorial Day, the first of Dr. Black's two articles is titled simply “Brown Sugar,” Professor Harold Black’s Webpage, 5/27/2024. I have always liked the musical score of that song, but I had not fully understood the lyrics, due to Mick Jagger's enunciation or lack thereof. No longer will I listen to that song! The lyrics are about slavery and raping a black woman! Dr. Black, with an apology to Foreigner and their song "Dirty White Boy," this “white boy” has come clean!

The repentant King David, after committing adultery and murder, cried out unto God, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51:7b, NIV). The second verse of the hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord!” by Adelaide Addison Pollard is:

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me,
Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord,
Wash me just now,
As in Thy presence
Humbly, I bow.

An excellent performance of the song is at “Have Thine Own Way, Lord,” Deutschblitz - Telegram (YouTube), 1/12/2015.

Don't you wish that The Rolling Stones followed Adelaide Addison Pollard's biblical worldview? Well, this article wishes that everyone followed that worldview. Many readers already do. If not, please repent, as King David did, and be washed whiter than snow by the blood of the Lamb!

Dr. Black, if you catch wind of this article, I would be honored to meet you. Perhaps we could meet for coffee and a deep conversation. Readers, your time reading articles on Professor Harold Black’s Webpage will inform and inspire you, as it does me.

May Day, National Day of Prayer, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and VE Day (published 5-8-2024; article #471)

Introduction

Today, on VE Day, the History Channel (A&E Television Networks, LLC) is scheduling multiple episodes of “Pawn Stars.” See today's schedule at history.com. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, their Monday schedule showed the same usual dribble. Come on, History Channel! Show relevant programs, especially on profound days in history!

Welcome and greetings, dear reader. The purpose of this article, the 40th under the Freedom topic section and the 20th under the heading Worldviews in Conflict, is to summarize and comment on:

• May Day (Wednesday, 5/1/2024),

• National Day of Prayer (Thursday, 5/2/2024),

• Holocaust Remembrance Day (Monday, 5/6/2024),

• and VE Day (today, Wednesday, 5/8/2024).

Concluding thoughts focus on freedom and worldviews in conflict. I hope that you and I agree. We need to be on the right side of history. You are welcome to state your case and comment, to begin a civil discussion, if you disagree.

May Day

In ancient times, May Day (May 1) was a Celtic celebration of spring. Similar May Day celebrations continue in the current era. For example, in grade school, we young'uns would sing as we circled around the maypole, weaving colorful ribbons around it. We boys would try to catch the eye of a cute girl!

Since May 1, 1886, May Day, or International Workers’ Day, has focused on labor rights and socialism. The May Day association with labor rights began in the United States and spread internationally. May Day is now an official holiday in 66 countries. In 1894, President Grover Cleveland moved the U.S. May Day celebration to the first Monday in September, Labor Day. The intention was to cut ties with International Workers' Day and its implicit support of communism and other radical causes.

Sources for the above include “May Day 2024: What Is May Day?” The Old Farmer’s Almanac, by Catherine Boeckmann, 5/1/2024; “May Day – May 1, 2024” on National Today; and “May Day,” on History.com, by Editors, 5/1/2017, updated 5/1/2024.

This year, for the Fearghail household, May Day involved the “magical mystery starter.” That was the focus of the humorous article from 5/4/2024. Our car's starter is still working!

National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, 2024, followed May Day. The annual observance is on the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer started in 1952 with a joint resolution of the United States Congress and President Harry S. Truman's signature. Source: “National Day of Prayer – May 2, 2024” on National Today.

Ten short years later, as is commonly known, the 1962 Supreme Court decision prohibited school-mandated prayers in public schools. Conflicting worldviews continue to battle for and against the fundamental right to lead public prayers in government schools and in government school gatherings, such as sporting events.

After King Solomon completed and consecrated the Jerusalem temple, the Lord came and spoke to him. The full context is in 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. Although the immediate application was to the Old Testament nation of Israel, the principles apply today. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) reads as follows:

. . . if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Contextually, the Lord's promise is conditioned by the people's faithfulness or by their humble repentance and return to Him. Obedience to God would bring national blessings to Israel. Rebellion against His will would lead to that nation's destruction.

Would to God that this once-great nation will humble itself, repent of its ungodliness, and seek His face! That is my daily prayer. What about you?

Holocaust Remembrance Day

The unprovoked and unspeakably cruel attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens on 10/7/2023 and the subsequent and ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict set the tone for Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday, May 6th. Recent and ongoing antisemitic protests, across college campuses throughout the United States, focused special attention on the day. Thankfully, Israel's Iron Dome protected the nation against the Iranian airstrikes on 4/13/2024. Israel retaliated on 4/19/2024.

Holocaust Remembrance Day is the 27th of Nisan (April/May) on the Hebrew calendar, unless the day is adjacent to the Sabbath, in which case the date shifts by one day. Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943. The Holocaust (1933 - 1945) was the state-sponsored Nazi German persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews and five million others. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of several excellent sources.

Slightly larger than the state of New Jersey in the United States, Israel is about 290 miles (470 km.) long and about 85 miles (135 km.) wide at its widest point. HISTORY of Israel: Timeline on Mission of Israel to the UN in Geneva chronicles Israel's history from the biblical patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 and up to the year 2010.

From Jewish Virtual Library: a Project of American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE), the following facts are known: As of January 1, 2024, the population of Israel was 9,842,000. The Jewish proportion of the population in Israel continues to decline. At the end of 2023, the total Jewish population was 7,208,000 (73.2%). The Arab population was 2,080,000 (21.1%). “Others” (i.e., non-Arab Christians, Baha’i, Samaritans, Karaite Jews, Seventh-day Adventists, Messianic Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and former Soviet Union immigrants) made up 5.7% of the population. Worldwide, the Jewish population is about 15.2 million. Of that total, 47% reside in Israel.

Encyclopedia Britannica: Palestine (last updated 5/8/2024) is an 80-page printed document that provides the complete history of the geographical region known as Palestine. Palestine is a geographical area (as is Appalachia). The term “Palestinians,” which includes Jews, Arabs, and other ethnic groups, refers to the people who live in Palestine. There is no unique Palestinian race or ethnic group. Similarly, the term “Appalachians” refers to those who live in the geographic location of Appalachia. There is no unique Appalachian race or ethnic group. We Appalachians are a mixture of many races and ethnic groups.

Arabs and Jews have heritage and kinship through Noah and Abraham (Gen. 10:1-32; 11:10-32; 25:12-34). Ultimately, all humankind has kinship through Adam and Eve, the first humans (Gen. 1:27; 2:7,21-22; 3:20). In Athens, the apostle Paul's first-century speech before the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers included, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:26-27, NIV).

On October 7, 2023, who started the Israel-Hamas conflict? Who can end it? Israel would not need to defend itself, if every Palestinian (Arabs, Jews, and others) could live in peace as close relatives.

VE Day

Today is the annual observance of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces. World War II was over in Europe. My desk calendar shows the annual observances that were mentioned previously. The calendar, however, does not show May 8th as VE Day. I had to handwrite in the observance on my calendar.

Two recent articles on this website mark the day. On VE Day, 5/8/2021, I published “5/1/2021, Saturday, May Day: Tribute to a Fine Officer.” I reflected on the May Day and Victory Day celebrations that my wife and I remember, when we were Christian missionaries in Russia. I honored the young officer, whom I met on May Day. On VE Day, 5/8/2022, I published “Mother's Day on VE Day.” The conclusion states, “My Mom was a peacemaker. I have tried to be as well. On this Mother's Day, on VE DAY, 2022, may peace on earth come as millions of individuals around the globe get right with the Good Lord and change their ways!”

Perhaps one day future desk calendars will show VE Day on May 8th. Local and national media have given little, if any, attention to the day. I remember.

Conclusion

Concluding thoughts focus on freedom and worldviews in conflict. The saying “freedom is not free” is true. On this VE Day, thinking about the lives lost during the Holocaust and the entirety of World War II, not to mention more recent wars, overwhelms me. Thank you, veterans! Live in honor of veterans, who protected our freedom!

A Christian's freedom cost the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Live in honor of Jesus, who freed us from sin!

Only two people were indigenous, Adam and Eve. Since then, everyone else has been a colonizer. Adam and Eve's descendants migrated to and settled in new areas. Over the course of centuries, nations have taken and continue to take control of other groups and nations. At times, the cause is just, as in the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in World War II. Oftentimes, the cause is not just. Practically every race and nation have colonized less powerful races and nations. That has been the way of the world, since Adam and Eve's descendants began to settle new areas.

Conflicting worldviews often cause struggles that lead to war. A worldview that calls for the genocide of another race is nothing more than evil incarnate, and it should be stopped dead in its tracks before it escalates. World War II should have taught us that lesson. I hope that the world is not repeating Nazi Germany's history from the 1930s.

The right side of history is the biblical worldview. What is the biblical worldview? It is abiding by the law of God, as stated and properly understood in the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus summarized, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12, NIV).

May all the ethnic groups and nations of the world follow the Golden Rule. If so, the world will then have peace. This is my prayer.

4-22-2024: Passover Begins at Sundown, Earth Day, & Lenin's Birthday (published 4-22-2024, article #466)

10/16/2010 Sunset Photograph on House Mountain by M. Fearghail from the article “House Mountain Sunset 10/16/2010 (published 10/24/2010).”

Introduction

My desktop calendar tells me that today at sundown is the beginning of Passover. It is also Earth Day. “Daily Calendar for Monday, April 22, 2024” (The Old Farmer’s Almanac) says the same.

This entry, the 19th under the topic section Worldviews in Conflict, reviews Passover, Earth Day, and Lenin's birthday. All three events converge today. The conclusion encourages the unwise to turn to or return to the biblical worldview. The wise are already there.

Passover

Sunset today marks the meaningful beginning of Passover (Hebrew פֶּסַח, Pesach). The annual Jewish observance is a weeklong remembrance of the Exodus, when God delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. On the Jewish calendar, the observance begins at sundown on the 14th day of Nisan (Aviv). Passover is derived from the tenth plague, when the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites. The Old Testament Book of Exodus chronicles the historical event in Exodus 12:1-15:21.

When Jesus came to John, the messenger, who prepared the way for Him, John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV). Furthermore, Christians rejoice in the words of the inspired apostle Paul, who wrote, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7, NIV). As the apostle Peter stated, we have been redeemed from our empty lifestyle “. . . with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Pet. 1:19, NIV).

Praise be to God, whose grace, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, saves us from our empty and sinful lifestyles! Everlasting life is ours!

The Israel-Hamas conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel on 10/7/2023, a day that will live in infamy in Israeli history. The Israel-Iran engagement began when Iran struck Israel with an airborne assault on 4/13/2024.

My written prayer is that all will accept the Prince of Peace. If so, the world will find lasting peace. I pray that antisemitic protesters will realize the error of their ways and turn to the Lord. I wish Jewish friends a happy and peaceful Passover and encourage them to find the Prince of Peace, if they already haven't. I have known Jewish Christians, who observe Passover and who know the Passover Lamb as their Savior.

Earth Day

Today is also the lackluster annual occasion of Earth Day. “Our History,” Earthday.org, presents its history and timeline. Earth Day started on 4/22/1970. It led to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

A senator and a young college activist started Earth Day. The previously cited source states that they chose April 22, since the weekday was between spring break and final exams. They wanted to ensure that many college students would participate. It is alleged, however, that the day was selected, since it marked the centennial anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth.

This article accepts the conservationist worldview about Earth Day. God placed man “. . . in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15, NIV). From creation, humankind must work on and take care of planet Earth. I reject the environmentalist worldview about Earth Day.

My political smorgasbord article from 5/2/2021 includes my rather pithy comments about Earth Day. The article verifies that Earth Day started on the centennial anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth.

The 3/26/2023 article states my position fully. The conclusion includes the following:

By following the biblical worldview, I am a conservationist. All who share this view, as good stewards, use natural resources in an ethical manner to better humankind. We, however, care for and manage those resources to improve them for future generations.

Environmentalists, in contrast, follow a pantheistic worldview, in that they worship god (the creation) instead of God (the Creator). Deifying nature, they subjugate human needs to protect nature, which has preeminence. They see all humans, including themselves, as parasites and disrupters of nature. They, however, see themselves as “noble parasites,” while looking down on us as “disrupting parasites.”

I stand by that statement. I still affirm the biblical worldview of conservationists. My prayer is that environmentalists will stop worshiping god (the creation) and worship the Creator.

Lenin's Birthday

At birth, Vladimir Lenin was named Влади́мир Ильи́ч Улья́нов (Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov). He took on the pseudonym “Lenin.” The Marxist revolutionary, founder of the Communist Party, and first Soviet leader was born on 4/22/1870, according to the modern Gregorian calendar. (By the old Julian calendar, he was born on 4/10/1870. The Soviet Union switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar on February 1, 1918.) Lenin died on 1/21/1924. His body is interred in Lenin's Tomb in Moscow on Red Square. Sources: “Vladimir Lenin,” On This Day and “Timeline of V. I. Lenin,” Marxists Internet Archive.

When my wife and I were Christian missionaries in Russia (10/1/1994 - 9/30/1999), we toured inside the Lenin Mausoleum. We saw Lenin's corpse, still lying in state. We were part of a group. No photographs were allowed.

Snopes labels as false the theory that the founders of Earth Day wanted to associate the day with Lenin's birthday. See “Why Is Earth Day on April 22? Since the very first Earth Day, rumors have been floated linking the date to the birthday of Vladimir Ilich Lenin,” Snopes, by David Mikkelson, 4/21/2015. Snopes, however, is not a completely reliable source. Their conclusion could be wrong.

I smell a rat! The first Earth Day, on 4/22/1970, could have happened to fall on the centennial anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth (4/22/1870), with no planned association of the days, but I doubt it. Such a coincidence is unlikely. I am not the only skeptic. For example, see “Earth Day's real (Leninist) history,” WorldNetDaily (WND), by Brian Sussman, 4/21/2021. The author states that it “was no accident” that the inaugural Earth Day on April 22, 1970, happened to be on the centennial of Vladimir Lenin's birth. Of course, accidents can happen. The coincidence seems to have been a planned accident with built-in deniability.

Conclusion

The unwise need to turn to or return to the biblical worldview. The wise are already there.

The sunset view in the above image is what I enjoyed over thirteen years ago on 10/16/2010. The image is still vivid in my mind. That was my 71st hike on House Mountain.

At sunset this evening, thoughts and prayers will be for peace. May the Passover blessings of Christ, the Passover Lamb, inspire all humankind to adopt a saving biblical worldview.