America is in shock over the Taliban’s swift and complete takeover in Afghanistan. President Joe Biden incoherently attempted to justify this failure after trillions of American dollars have been spent to avoid it.
While we grieve the loss of human life associated with the Taliban’s victory, we cannot help but note the clear contrast this situation provides to the morally upright values our nation was founded upon. It is time that our woke politicians, corporate leaders and religious figures acknowledge this difference. We must end the disgraceful defamation of America as an oppressive nation.
The Taliban is a brutal regime that denies basic human rights. During its previous rule, the Taliban was internationally condemned for enforcing the extreme law of Sharia. This included barbaric punishments such as public stonings, whippings, amputations and “honor killings.” Free speech, freedom of religion and many other fundamental freedoms Americans hold dear were nonexistent during the Taliban’s reign.
Women in Afghanistan are expressing fear as they are once again threatened by the violent oppression they experienced under the Taliban. For many, this included forced marriage, rape, enslavement and an inability to work outside the home. U.S. President George W. Bush also described the Taliban’s mistreatment of women during its previous position of power. Women were routinely “imprisoned” in their homes and “denied access” to basic health care and education.
Under Taliban rule, Sharia will be enforced throughout Afghanistan once more. Those who are seen as collaborators with America, including thousands of translators, will also undoubtedly be executed – some by beheadings. Based on the Taliban’s track record, the future is not bright for Afghanistan’s people.
Is it any wonder that thousands of Afghans are attempting to escape to America? Our nation is a beacon of hope, life and freedom. Shame on politicians and corporate leaders who have joined the woke movement to declare that America is oppressive. Those attempting to flee Taliban rule obviously see America quite differently, as do others who are attempting to cross our borders in the flight of oppressive governments.
America was birthed upon the conviction that all human beings are created in the image of God. Thus, all are afforded inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This bold declaration tells the world that every human being has equal value. This equality of value means equality of opportunity. It also guarantees basic human rights regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, handicap, infirmity, age and condition of dependency. What a contrast to the callous disregard for human life routinely displayed by the Taliban.
The end result of America’s culture war will determine if we can keep our republic. We have the fundamental freedoms embodied in our Bill of Rights, which protects the pursuit of happiness. Citizens embroiled in America’s current woke cultural battle need only reflect on the Taliban’s victory to understand what awaits any nation that removes from its laws the respect for every individual.
Our Constitution sets forth the commitment to “achieve a more perfect union.” That is what makes America superior in moral virtue to all other nations in history. Our nation exists with the guarantee of equality and inalienable rights to all. To achieve a “more perfect union,” America works for justice and to right wrongs, whether such wrongs are slavery, segregation or others. This is why people from other nations seek to come here. The Taliban must use oppression to keep people from leaving. America’s promise for a better life and freedom creates a desire for people to come.
One issue that America now faces to create this “more perfect union” is in how it confronts the slaughter of the unborn. The lives of 64 million innocent children in the womb have been lost since 1973 because of Roe. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in October in a case that will determine if abortion on demand remains the law of the land. By ruling in favor of life and overturning Roe, the high court will continue our pursuit of perfection. A just nation must provide legal protection to its most vulnerable citizens.
We lament the Afghani people’s loss of life and freedom, and we pray for these fellow human beings made in the image of God. We must also pray for the protection of our American republic that stands for life, liberty, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. May God allow us to keep our American republic so we do not go the way of the Taliban.