The Fifth Principle of “The 5,000 Year Leap”: God Made Everything, So We’re All In This Together
In W. Cleon Skousen’s book, “The 5,000 Year Leap,” one of the core ideas is that “all things were created by God, therefore upon Him all mankind are equally dependent, and to Him they are equally responsible.” This principle isn’t just about religion; it’s deeply rooted in natural law theory, which has shaped a lot of our thinking about rights and responsibilities.
Natural Law Theory: The Basics
Natural law theory says there are laws inherent in nature, given by a higher power or nature itself, that dictate how we should live. This theory was big among the founders of the U.S. For example, they believed our rights come from somewhere beyond government – from nature or God. Thomas Jefferson put this into words in the Declaration of Independence when he talked about rights being “endowed by their Creator.”
We’re All Equal in the Big Picture
If everything, including us, was created by God, then we’re all in the same boat. This principle from Skousen’s book means we’re all equal in the eyes of the Creator – no one’s better than anyone else just because of birth or money. This was a big deal back in the day when society was super stratified by class and race. John Adams once said that the U.S. Constitution was made for “a moral and religious people,” suggesting that recognizing our divine origin would make us more accountable and respectful of each other.
How This Played Out Historically
This idea influenced how America was built. The founders believed that if we’re all equal before God, then the government should protect our natural rights, not give them to us. This has shaped American law, where you hear a lot about “natural rights” or “God-given rights.”
Why It Still Matters
Even today, this principle pushes us to think about equality, how we treat the environment, and how we handle social issues. If we’re all equal under a Creator, then we should all have the same shot at life, and we’re all responsible for looking after each other and our planet.
A Less Formal Take
This principle isn’t about being super religious. It’s more about understanding that if we all come from the same source, we should treat each other with respect and share the load of looking after our world. Sure, not everyone might agree with the “God” part, but the idea of natural law – that there are inherent rights and responsibilities – still holds water.
Challenges and Thoughts
Some argue that this principle is outdated in our more secular world. Yet, the core message of equality and shared responsibility can still resonate, even if the language or source of these ideas shifts.
In Conclusion
Skousen’s fifth principle, deeply intertwined with natural law theory, reminds us that we’re all in this together, with equal stakes in how we live, govern, and care for our world. It’s a call to be responsible not just to each other but to something bigger than us. If you’re curious about this, diving into Skousen’s book, alongside some classics like Locke or the Federalist Papers, can give you a fuller picture. But at its heart, it’s about recognizing that we’re all part of the same creation, with the same basic moral duties.
References:
- Skousen, W. Cleon. “The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed The World.” National Center for Constitutional Studies, 1981.