American Clarity Essays political, philosophical, and theological from an American romantic.

Throughout my journey into adulthood, I have become aware that two conditions prevail upon birth.  The first is atheism, a child’s ignorance of the Godhead, man being exiled from the Garden of Eden, and forever dependent upon revelation — whether passed through tradition, or given directly — for communion with the divine.  No child is born speaking the Laws of God; no child comprehends the majesty of the Almighty; but yet, as he grows, perhaps he might develop divine notions: ideas resulting from the complexity of nature, from the mystery of his existence, from the window into the human soul — from the conscience, the knowledge of good and evil, the burning desire of an immortal entrapped within a mortal shell.  He may learn from others about the existence of God far before he discovers God without help; but he always acquires heavenly knowledge.  It is never innate, unless imposed by an act of divine intervention. (more…)

In the final days of the Roman republic, when barbarous Mithridates stood at the gates and threatened both safety and pride, Cicero stood before the senate and implored them to grant military command to Gnaeus Pompeius.  His impassioned advocacy had almost everything to do with talent — with Pompey’s almost divine military skills, apparent at an extremely young age for a general; with his past record, having recently eradicated a pirate menace in a single year, which until then had all but stopped Roman shipping; and his indomitable reputation, certain enemies surrendering at the sound of Pompey’s name alone.  Pompey was invincible, Cicero declared — but equally important to his skill, and the fearful name in which it resulted, was Pompey’s sense of justice. (more…)

Oh, what America could do with an Aristides of Athens!

Of humble birth, but possessive of a virtuous spirit, Aristides championed order and decency against both foreigner and citizen, rich and poor alike.  His triumphs too numerous to mention in so short a space, it must suffice to recall a few: how he exposed corruption in government — however close to him it lay; his defense of due process not simply for friends, but for criminals and enemies; his admirable conduct on the field of battle, defending Greece against the barbaric Persians; his forfeiture of pride in relinquishing the generalship to a more capable commander, and the subsequent unity of Athens in a turbulent time.  Athens had her share of honorable men, for which she has become well known; but above them all in the pursuit of justice, perhaps, was Aristides (see: Plutarch’s eloquent account). (more…)

The Creator having impressed His image upon mankind, justice is oftentimes taught not in ways conventional and scholastic, but according to manners mysterious and ethereal.   The other day, for instance, I had a dream in which I befriended a hamster.  He lived beside my childhood home, and I would spend my time going over to visit him, chatting for short bits of time, and carrying him around in my hand.  But there came a moment in the dream at which a third party entered.  A kitten, leering out of childlike inquisitiveness, pounced onto the scene, and before I had a good chance to assess the situation, I found him leaping toward my friend with mischievous intent. (more…)

To whom has the Creator prescribed justice?  To the rich, or to the poor?

Beneath every breast a singular answer lies, being placed by that holy finger therein so that men, having no excuse in transgression, could be brought to account for every violation of equity. Yet in the United States of America, though men oftentimes proudly proclaim themselves blind to status, that both rich and poor have equal standing in courts of law, quite the opposite can be proven when the reach of capital is considered. (more…)