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The greatness of America
To the editor:
Scientists estimate that the planet we live on, called Earth, was probably caused by a major eruption on the Sun sometime around between 10 and 24 billion years ago. Since it was a sizeable mass with a temperature equal to that of its mother, the sun, it was hurled in our universe to a position in space where over a period of time it would cool leaving it in a position to, after a long period of time, foster life.
In the July 2013 issue of National Geographic on page 102, scientists claimed that the first sign of life on this earth appeared around 1.6 billion years ago, as plant life and our animal bodies share many characteristics of those plants, such as DNA and genetics.
In that same issue of National Geographic, on pages 98 and 99, in an article entitled "A Tale of Three Humans," it was surmised that the first humans were called Denisovans existing between 500,000 and 250,000 years ago. During that same time frame, and later Neanderthals and our human race emerged, mated and spread out from Africa into Europe, China, Australia and South America along the warm equator.
Considering myself an ancestor of these humans, I realize that today humans have been exposed to more education and training. But we still have, to a big extent, the same features, mindset and characteristics of those past generations.
If you were raised by Christian parents, they discussed heaven, what you must do, or not do, to get there. Attending a country church three times a week was demanded of me as a young boy. But heaven meant nothing to me at that time of my life.
Since then, many years have passed, and as my time on this planet grows shorter, I have come to consider it much more often. Is there such a place? If so, what is it really like?
I have read most of the biblical stories about heaven and have come to the conclusion that many of our generation give it little thought, or even doubt there is such a place. Their inactions to church and its leaders prompt me to say that.
If the biblical vision does not exist, how do we envision such a place?
First, let us consider what we have experienced here on earth. America's Emancipation Proclamation states that all humans are born equal and at our birth, that sounds logical. We are all born with a head on our shoulders. But what we feed that grey matter inside that head determines our future success and happiness. They call it education. It, coupled with ambition, the right attitude, desire and compassion for all living creatures, make for a more happier future.
On July 8, 2012, Walter Hussman Jr., publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, printed a full-page article entitled "Let Freedom Ring," in which he stated that America represented humanity's best hope for the future and survival.
If you consider all the blessings and good things that America has received throughout its existence, you surely will have to concede that there had to be a strong force guiding its leaders. What was that force? The Bible called it God.
As I've grown older and matured mentally, I have come to believe that America is the greatest nation on this planet. All creatures that live and breathe are born with the desire to keep on living. The second most important drive of our body is to satisfy hunger, but closely behind is the drive to satisfy our sexual desires.
Starting to school the first year of our nation's greatest depression, I realize how blessed my life has been. For my first eight years, I lived on a dirt road about a mile from school and feeling I was the poorest kid in the country. That was not so as everyone was in the same condition. My father always kept me well-fed and he and my mother showered me with love. As I look back no one was ever more blessed.
Living on that dirt road during the 20s and 30s helped me realize that I have lived the American dream. And I have lived it since I realized I was an American.
What can we do to ensure that future generations will enjoy this blessing?
We can by the way we live, leave America in as good or better condition that it was when we inherited it at our birth.
America has grown some great people who have selected some great leaders.
Two of our country's presidents made statements that should always be remembered, Teddy Roosevelt, America's 26th president, gave a strong bit of advice when he said, "Walk softly but carry a big stick." And John F. Kennedy, our 35th president, said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
Why is America so great? Because its people are free. Free to dream. The results of many of those dreams have meant a better standard of living for Americans than any other people of this continent. In my study of courses in college, I was convinced that space is limitless and we live in a universe surrounded by countless other universes, and to my knowledge, no human has ever bridged that gap and returned to ours. The age limit of humans and lack of technology determine that.
One of the greatest threats to the future of America is the failure of all Americans to recognize our blessings and hate our fellow humans. Race is a big reason for possible failure of this great nation. All of us have to remember we are Americans, regardless of the color of our skin.
Do not forget to live the balance of your life so future generations can recognize that they have been living in heaven since they were considered to be American. We inherited that blessing the day we were born or recognized to be American.