Is Reason and Sanity the Opposite of God?

By Douglas V. Gibbs

In the wake of the discussion regarding Christine O'Donnell's response to a comment made by Chris Coons regarding the supposed existence of the idea of separation of church and state in the U.S. Constitution, Glenn Beck's religion-infused "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington DC, and Jon Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity", we are asked if liberalism is truly the voice of reason. And if Jon Stewart's call for a return to sanity is truly the reasonable path to take in order to "promote reason" (as is being touted by the atheist groups), one must ask: Does that mean reason and sanity is the opposite of religion? And if reason and sanity is the opposite of religion, would that also mean that reason and sanity is the opposite of God?

Of course, the argument between God and Reason is nothing new. The argument about removing religion from the political debate, inserting religion into the political debate, or trying to manage a good balance between the two, is nothing new. One must only remember history to find evidence that both arguments can wind up with a disastrous result.

The French Revolution, which resulted in mass chaos, anarchy, and ultimately a tyrannical oligarchy, is a great example of what happens when religion is cut out of the equation. However, the tyranny by monarchies that declared state religions, and infused their religious fervor with their political rule, shows how religion in government can be dangerous as well. Communism shows the tyranny of a system that rejects God, and Islam is an example of the dangerous union of church and state as one, and the totalitarian style system that could emerge.

Our Founding Fathers recognized the problem with these extremes. Though our Founders were primarily men of God, they were not real hip about organized religion, nor the potential of heavy influence on governmental systems by religious clergy. As a result, the Founding Fathers set up a system allowing the States to have power over the issue of religion, while denying the federal government from passing any laws establishing a state religion. They feared religion's excessive influence, while recognizing the need for prayer, and the importance of allowing the population to worship as they please.

The concept of religious freedom was a difficult one to wrestle with, because too much religion could result in an established religious system that could become a tyrannical theocracy. However, without God, the government would proclaim that rather than God-given rights your rights were given to you by the government; and of course if your rights were given to you by the government, the government would have the authority to take them away.

Would that be reasonable and sane?

I submit that reason and sanity comes naturally with Biblical understanding. When one finds the perfect mix of God and Biblical understanding, one can reason on a moral and intellectual level at a level God desires for us - without the influence of man-made religion, or man-made humanistic philosophies.

So to answer the question, reason and sanity is not the opposite of God. Reason and sanity is achieved through God.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary