THE VIRTUE SOLUTION The Founders Plan to Save America Presented by SC Representative R. Josiah Magnuson www.thevirtuesolution.com
Virtue: What Is It? Virtue is the moral courage to do good and refuse evil. It is the inner character to act on what we believe. It is the strength to defend those we are responsible for.
Virtue is summed up in dealing justly among one s neighbors. Aristotle
Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to the truth. Noah Webster
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Exodus 23:2a
Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge... II Peter 1:5
Virtue is to liberty what the soul is to the body. John Adams
Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical check, no form of government, can render us secure. James Madison
If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. Samuel Adams
Virtue and morality is a necessary spring of popular government. George Washington
Unpleasant Truths about the U.S.A. We are $20 trillion in debt, plus unfunded liabilities. The states are dependent on Federal money. 60 million unborn children have been legally killed. 40% of births are to unwed mothers. Our education system teaches moral depravity. The typical young person lives for entertainment.
And few people even care.
Cultural Bankruptcy The problem isn t that the system is not working. The problem is that it is. Washington, D.C. is nothing more than a reflection of our states, communities, churches, and homes. America has a disease, and the disease demands a cure.
The Percolation of Power Power in our nation springs from the individual. It then flows downhill to families, churches, neighborhoods, cities, counties, states, and finally the Federal government. If the water is poisoned from the source, all the successive levels will be poisoned. There s no cure for the government at this point. The only cure is for We the People.
The System is Working
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees... Matthew 3:10
The Future of Liberty? Liberty is not certain. All people have the right to be free, but not all people have the capacity or power to be free. The power to be free only exists when the people are more dependent on internal factors than external ones.
Imminent Threats to Liberty Foreign Attack Civil Unrest and Anarchism Monetary Failure Natural Disaster/Emergency All can lead to unlimited government.
Understanding How Liberty Works Liberty is the ability to say No. Liberty therefore is only possible if the people have the courage to say No, and if they can actually back it up. Do we see either this courage or this practical strength in America today?
What Then is Missing? Liberty rests on virtue and knowledge. II Pet. 1:5-6 Virtue rests on faith. The primary need is spiritual awakening that results in a renewal of character.
A Christian View of Societies
The Real Disease The hard truth is, we can t defend the Constitution because We the People don t want to. The demand is for Federal money, not for liberty and responsibility. Can t Christians replace both supply and demand if we will care enough?
The borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7b
Dependence vs. Survival The only way out of the mess in which America finds herself is self-sufficiency at the ground level. We must create a real alternative to big government: virtuous communities. Dependence must be broken by responsibility.
There is a Cure. Love Your Neighbor.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. Luke 10:27
How Can Renewal Happen? Renewal will look like love for our neighbors. God s people can shine light in the darkness through heart change. Element 1: Spiritual Awakening Element 2: Civic Action Element 3: Practical Well-Being
An Inverted Civil Government
An Upright Civil Government
Where is Renewal Possible? Individual Decision-Making Family Mission Church Engagement Community Resiliency/Preparedness
The Big Picture
Results of Renewal in the People Community Strength Righteous Elected Officials State Sovereignty Virtue results in proper leadership to enforce i.e. give power to just laws.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice... Proverbs 29:2a
Policy Tools for Civic Action Religious Expression Education and Advocacy Local Associations ( Militia ) Jury Nullification State Interposition/Nullification
How to Say No
The guards for liberty [in the Bill of Rights]...are more useful than essential. James Madison
The Vehicle to Use the Tools
The Local Engine: A Critical Need We seek to shine light in communities through micro-hubs that provide: 1. Mentorships and training, including teaching in Biblical truth and values 2. Resourcing for local resiliency 3. Fellowship and nourishment
Where to Start a Micro-Hub Existing Community Centers Church Family Life Areas Fire Departments Business Offices Coffee Shops
Jefferson s Hundreds Thomas Jefferson knew the Constitution could not, in itself, keep America free. He proposed dividing each county into wards of one hundred households each, that would elect their own justice of the peace, constable, militia captain, schoolmaster, and jurors.
What Jefferson Said Could I once see this I should consider it as the dawn of the salvation of the republic. The division into wards enables them by that organization to crush, regularly and peaceably, the usurpations of their unfaithful agents, and rescues them from the dreadful necessity of doing it insurrectionally.
The Value of the Hundreds Plan 1. Decentralizes Political Power 2. Creates a Venue for Accountability 3. Revitalizes the Agrarian Spirit 4. Takes Control of Education 5. Helps Neighbors Care for Neighbors
Community to Empower Liberty
How Virtue Prevents a Crisis Foreign Attack: Trained Citizenry Civil Unrest: Community Goodwill Monetary Failure: Internal Wealth Natural Disaster: Local Volunteerism and Accessible Resources
One Simple Example In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Louisiana, the delay and failure of the Federal response became infamous across the country. So Louisianans began taking initiative and the Cajun Navy was born. The effort returned in the 2016 flood and blossomed in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. The Cajun Navy became the face of real America: courageous care for neighbors.
Picture credit: AOL.com
Ultimate Benefits of Virtue Restoration of moral leadership in the spiritual, civic, and practical areas Resiliency at the local level which translates to the state and Federal level Rebuilding of freedom and prosperity Return to courage and character
Four Things You Can Do This Week 1. Go knock on a neighbor s door. 2. Ask what you can do for a need, instead of waiting for someone else. 3. Pray about starting a micro-hub or a mentoring/discipleship group. 4. Give someone the virtue message.
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
The power and responsibility for change springs from We the People in the Family, Church, and Community. Will you use your power to end dependence and renew virtue?
Please pray and work with us to renew America s fabric. TheVirtueSolution.com