activism

More Situation Ethics

–By Ben Gilmore

“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislators thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.” [U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 3. June 21, 1788]

“Situation ethics” — Making choices in an effort to manipulate the results. The XVII Amendment [April 9, 1913] changed the original wording to, ” … elected by the people thereof …”

What is wrong with that change? It is a legal change according to the rules of amendment. “We the people” are the ultimate authority over the U.S. Government. So why do I say that change was situation ethics and not principle ethics?

The root problem appeared to the voters to be a loss of votive power which the founders had placed in the hands of each state legislature. The amendment placed power in the hands of the majority of voters at large in the state. Did that give the voters more votive power? No, they voted away their control of the U.S. Senate!

The change was focused upon the perceived disconnect of the Senate members from “We the people”. That was only the symptom. The cause was ignorance of the principle of federalism (sovereignty of both state and national government).

Look at the details. In California, we have 40 State Senators and 80 State Assemblymen. That is 120 legislators, each elected (by the people) from separate districts in California. Originally, our two U.S. Senators were answerable to those 120 lawmakers. In turn, those California lawmakers were answerable to their respective voters back home. Our state’s interests were equally represented among the other states in the U.S. Senate.

After the 17th Amendment (1913), each U.S. Senator was answerable to all the voters in California! Who has more influence over a U.S. Senator – 1 of 120 state legislators, or 1 of millions of voters? Before the amendment, Senators had to win the confidence of the legislators. After the amendment, they had to win confidence of millions. That takes money, lots and lots of it. Who will the winners represent – the State, or the source of the funds?

Our founders created the House of Representatives to represent “We the people”. The larger states (population) had more Representatives. They created the U.S. Senate to represent the interests of their respective sovereign states.

Why was that important? If we eliminated the U.S. Senate and had only the House of Representatives, the few largest state delegations, (say New York, California, Illinois) would dominate the legislature in Washington, D.C. and Rhode Island, Nevada, and Delaware citizens would have no effective vote. The national government would grow ever bigger and the state governments and their regional interests would grow ever weaker.

Had the people learned the sound principles debated and understood by our founders, our state and national governments would be far healthier than they are today. Such principles are seldom understood by citizens today. Why is that?

I believe those opposed to our founding principles have found ways to “dumb down” our education system. They have applied the principle that, “mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves …” [Declaration of Independence -1776]

The solution — What is done is done! Until we learn again those founding principles, we are ill equipped to repair and restore our ship of state. Having mastered sound principles of American government, there are many areas you may apply them.

On the other hand – Ignorant activism is more dangerous than apathy! Take an ACH course , or one like it!

For His-story & Government!!!

Ben Gilmore
ACH Study Groups

[Contact Ben]

More Situation Ethics Read More »

American History & Government Study Seminar, June 23 – 26, 2010

–By Ben Gilmore

The following letter just arrived from a dear friend.

To Whom This May Concern:

I am writing this to anyone who might be considering taking the ACH Seminar. I took the class as an adult several years ago and found it to be most enlightening in so many ways.

It caused me to fall in love with American History for the first time. I would so like to see this course taught in our public schools at every grade level. This is probably not going to happen although I believe that nothing is impossible with God. For this reason I would recommend that you consider taking the course for yourself and also make certain that your children have the benefit of learning the truth about our awesome American History.

What it did for me, was cause me to grow in patriotism. It gave me a great hunger to get informed concerning what was taking place in the political arena. Today I am actively supporting candidates I believe in, who share my Christian political views. I have always voted, but now I feel my votes are made with greater understanding, after having done my homework.

Now I feel that I am the very best American I can be. And that is a very good feeling.

With Fondness, Claudia Bonfante

What more is there to add! Please take this invitation seriously!
Ben & Fran Gilmore, Co-Founders, ACH Study Groups

American History & Government Study Seminar, June 23 – 26, 2010 Read More »

Significant Moments in His-Story

–By Ben Gilmore

Boston Tea Party

December 7th (Pearl Harbor) was such a moment for America. 9/11 was another. These are dates when major changes in momentum and direction took place for America. I guess you could say that all moments in His-story are significant. “Big doors swing on little hinges!”

One of the things that make tomorrow (Sunday March 21st, 2010) one of those “moments” will never show in the media. I believe there is more focused prayer being sent Heavenward from Americans, than at any time in my 80 years. Those who know Jewish history are familiar with the times when things reached a point that enough members of a society prayed for divine help – and it was granted.

At issue tomorrow, is godliness vs. ungodliness. Liberty is as evangelical as it is political. Are we to be a nation (society) governed by laws that reflect and protect our liberty? – or – Are we to be a nation (society) governed by force and manipulation?

By the time most of you read this, tomorrow’s political events in Washington D.C. will have taken place. I wish to speak to the alternatives. “Pundits” for either side will be busy putting their own “spins” to the results. My council remains unchanged. [Faith & confidence]

If the tide supports what appears to be a treasonous administration, enhanced by a significant portion of the legislature, there appears to be little to avoid chaos. The root question will be, “Do we bow to tyranny and forsake our pretense of liberty?” Apathy (inaction) and ignorance (of the principles that make our system of government work) caused this problem. There will be a danger of rushing out the other side into angry anarchy (uncontrolled rebellion).

If the tide goes against the administration, there will be a renewed sense of confidence in the system and an enhanced momentum focused upon returning our ship of state to its intended course. Following the “Boston Tea Party” Samuel Adams wrote, “You cannot imagine the height of joy that sparks in the eyes and animates the countenances as well as the hearts of all we meet on this occasion.” Those who oppose principles of American government have been doing everything they can to prevent a sense of victory. Both camps have taken Sunday’s events for a showdown.

“Success” also carries its share of dangers. After the Boston Tea Party, the colonists remained active. “Apathy” was not a problem! Those colonists were not “ignorant” of the principles that were inspiring them. I fear we are.

Should the good guys win tomorrow (I expect that to happen!), “ignorance and apathy” remain our foes. For several generations, we have not learned our history, or the fundamental principles that make us a great nation. Without those proven principles, our efforts to repair and rebuild will be futile. Further, we must be careful not to take credit for answered prayer. That belongs to heaven. We must remain actively involved, as He directs, and not drift again into inaction.

Significant Moments in His-Story Read More »

When Life Goes By Too Fast

–By Ben Gilmore

SLOW DOWN! After all, it is YOUR life isn’t it? Take dominion of it. If you don’t, someone else will be happy to do so! ” … [C]hoose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
[Josh 24:15]

Things in our American society are changing and shifting rapidly. Political upheavals one way and then another; Jobs and the economy and all the stress that causes; Family pressures (rebellious teens, faltering husbands, frustrated wives) … Nothing is standing still, everything is rushing past and swinging us this way and that! “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” [Psa 46:10]

I believe the world would be a far better place if every man would take just one hour and sit alone under a tree somewhere! THERE IS ONE GOD WORKING! Recognize that He really does love you! Realize that EVERYTHING He permits to happen to you is intended to draw you closer to Him! If you let that “sink in,” and pause long enough to have faith in that fact, you can relax a little and let some things pass without your involvement!

Our nation is under attack from within. There is every indication we have treason in the White House! I look around, and it appears to me, the hand of God is raising up a righteous spiritual army in defense of His plans for our nation.

There are prayer projects popping up everywhere. Never doubt it! “… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” [James 5:16] Prayer DOES change things. Moses interceded for the Israelites, and God said, even He, would change His mind!

Activist movements are alive and growing across the nation. The well publicized “Tea Parties” are just the manifestation of far deeper shift in our “body politic.” Every day’s batch of e-mail offers endless opportunities to join this and contribute to support that. Most of these projects are good and are being effective. Our job is to discern where, and upon what, the Lord wants us involved.

In that regard, my passion is to contribute to the restoration and understanding of Biblical principles of government (family-, church-, and civil-government as well as self-government) in our society. Critical thinking and sound reason based upon reliable history and logic have been systematically drained out of our education for generations now!

Earlier this month I wrote about our “Principles of American Government” online course. Registration closed on 1/18/10. After just four interactive classes we are well into the three month course.

Please do yourself and someone else a good service and …

SET ASIDE THESE DATES:

Saturday, February 20 in Sacramento. Stephen McDowell of Providence Foundation is keynoting a one-day conference. What makes this conference so significant that I single it out? Providence Foundation (founded by McDowell) has lead the way in teaching Biblical Principles of Government for a generation! This is one of those teachers who will plant seeds in your understanding that will grow for years. If you are not in our area and have friends here, tell them about it and have them contact me. www.providencefoundation.com

Wednesday-Saturday, June 23-26, 2010 in Sacramento. ACH Study Groups present an American History & Government Study Seminar. Wife, Fran, and I founded ACH over 20 years ago. Four 12-hour days, back-to-back, under master teachers, skilled in presenting governmental principles biblically, historically and logically … We designed it to be “inconvenient!” Our purpose was to separate the world changer from the casual student! Well over a thousand world changers have taken this seminar. They are our major promoters. We arrange hospitality (gratis) for out of the area participants. www.achstudygroups.com

Unless there are enough leaders in this, and the next few generations, who have learned what our founding fathers learned, our ship of state is likely to remain in dangerous seas!

For His-story & Government, Ben Gilmore

When Life Goes By Too Fast Read More »

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Ben Gilmore 1929-2023

On March 30, 2023 Ben Gilmore, the co-founder of ACHStudyGroups (co-founded with his wife Fran), went to be with the Lord in Glory.

A Memorial: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/BenGilmore/