Democracy: No Guarantee of Freedom
Our nation’s leaders often proclaim the necessity of exporting democracy to promote freedom around the world. By contrast, America’s founders had a deep distrust of democracy. They viewed it as a prescription for anarchy and established a constitutional republic as David Barton and many others have documented. Current world events demonstrate that democracy alone is not a sure foundation for freedom. Over the weekend, AsiaNews reported: India: Rajasthan Governor Refuses to Sign Anti-Conversion Bill. Members of the Hindu majority were angered by the governor’s actions and argued that it insulted democracy.
In March and April of this year, the headlines were filled with reports about an Afghan man, Abdul Rahman, who was in danger of receiving the death penalty for converting to Christianity. His situation raised alarm bells among Christians in the United States and great pressure was brought to bear on the Afghan government. On Breakpoint, Chuck Colson commented:
But if we can’t guarantee fundamental religious freedoms in the countries where we establish democratic reforms, then the whole credibility of our foreign policy is thrown into serious question. I hope the president and the administration can recognize what a devastating setback Rahman’s execution would be to the cause of democracy and freedom.
Alan Keyes of Renew America had this insightful article in WorldNet Daily: Truthful Intolerance: Afghanistan Case Shows Real Issue is Inalienable Rights, Not Democracy