We explore real-life reformation here in this informed, online community.
Scripture influenced civil governance in the West at least from the time of Britain’s King Alfred in the Ninth Century AD, who translated Scripture passed on early Constitutional law to his sons and grandsons who would rule, and who would continue to defend the British Isles from Vikings.
Two notable laws which were not unknown to America’s founding fathers:
THE STATUTE OF WINCHESTER in 1285 emphasized the local militia made-up of men 15 to 60, and reminded citizens that open carry is permitted for their military-grade weapons. It also reminded men of their police powers to conscientiously keep the peace of their communities. This is based in Deuteronomy Chapter 22.
The Archery Laws of 1363 required practice of archery on Sundays and holy days and "forbade, on pain of death, all sport that took up time better-spent on war training especially archery practice."
In 1477, when the sport of Cricket began to replace archery range training, King Edward IV simply outlawed it, and imposed a massive fine “of fifty pounds and two years gaol for those who played the game, and one hundred pounds and three years’ gaol for anyone who allowed the game to played on his property.” That hundred-pound fine is equivalent to over $170,000 in today’s money.
A few weeks ago, an image went viral. In Belgium a migrant used the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to cook an omelette. For many, the desecration brought to mind a quote from French author Jean Raspail, written in 1973 in his novel Camp of the Saints, about a sudden invasion of Muslim, Indian and African migrants into France:
“Your universe has no meaning to them. They will not try to understand. They will be tired, they will be cold, they will make a fire with your beautiful oak door.”
“Beware of two errors: despising the world God sustains, or worshipping the culture He restrains.”
— Abraham Kuyper, Common Grace Vol. 1, Ch. 30
"[Successful NY Mayoral candidate] Mamdani built his campaign on the infrastructure of the Democratic Socialists of America. The DSA and its city allies can dispatch activists across New York and, with a network of progressive partner organizations, can mobilize young people, get out the vote, and do the work of door-to-door politics.
"We saw this dynamic many times in the twentieth century: socialists rise to power, their policies degrade the quality of life, and, as they enter the endgame, they tighten their grip on power and offload resentments onto their ideological, racial, and economic enemies.
"...the twentieth century taught us that left-wing voters have extraordinary defenses against reality."
-- Christopher Rufo
