Cultural Relativism

More than 100 million people in this world dream of a chance for life in the United States. Yet  in America today the Progressive Left denounce Western Culture as no better than any other culture or society.  Why, is it that so many wish to come here and often risk everything for a shot at the American Dream? In these unsettling times, it seems to be popular to demean and discredit our Western way of life. One of the most disturbing ideals catching hold with a large number of Americans is the notion that the Western-style society/culture is no better than any other society/cultures. Some even go so far as to say Western culture is worse.  Leftists argue that no one can determine which cultures demonstrate exemplary traits because no one can assess any standards objectively-- what is good-- or ethical; that no one can identify the shortcomings and failures of different cultures.

I completely disagree. And if you live in America, you should too.

When you study Western civilization compared to others you see clearly, man at his best. Western society illustrates the ideals of individualism, freedom, and God-given/natural born rights. It represents reason, personal responsibility, self-sufficiency and the beauty of entrepreneurship through capitalism.

Western culture recognizes the necessity for limited government in a republic that is representative of its citizens and the rule of law.

Things like technology, art and literature, science; ideas of connectedness to the earth and universe; rules of reason and sensibility. All these are logical in a world governed by natural laws. That describes Western society. These principles are values for all, regardless of geography, gender, and ethnicity.

We can be unbiased in defining the preeminence of Western culture when
 the superiority of Western culture can be objectively demonstrated and when cultures evaluate them based on the one single important standard ---to what extent does the culture or society value life and do it’s core values support all human life? Or does the society value certain lives over others?

In a prolife culture (Western culture), reason, productivity, science and technology are encouraged and supported honored and recognized. Individuals are viewed as reasonable beings that are able to distinguish right from wrong, and honors man’s ability to survive and flourish.

Western Society has evolved into a superb example of high levels of freedom, opportunity, productivity, innovation, health, opportunity, happiness and comfort. Why else do people from other cultures risk everything for a chance to live where Western ideas and lifestyles are the dominant custom?

Man must recognize that there is a standard. And that standard is Western style culture. If we say that no society can be judged because each has a right to it’s own beliefs, than how can we object to any society’s intolerance that reflects their own worldview? If we simply say everyone is entitled to their own belief systems, then we say it we cannot object to things like genocide, slavery, Hitler, genital mutilation of young girls, child marriages, and Nazism. The idea of what is known as Cultural Relativism is faulty thinking. It takes the idea that any practice is acceptable if is in line with a specific cultures because there is no objective moral truth that pertains to all people for all time.  Not only would this thinking forbid us from speaking out against another society, but also it would not allow us to even criticize our own culture as in the instance of slavery. Cultural Relativism leaves no room for disagreement, protest, debate, and especially no room for social progress and justice, because, after all, towards what objective goal would we be progressing?

Does this sound familiar? Today we as a country are finding more and more that disagreement and debate are taboo. Cultural Relativists view themselves as tolerant; they see other cultures not as "wrong" but as "different".   Hiding under the deceptive cloak of fairness Cultural Relativism is rearing its ugly head to millions of unsuspecting citizens of the United States and Europe.  In short, cultural relativism is only attractive because is seems democratic and empowering by giving an individual's perception priority, but all it really does is refute itself.

We are seeing the devastating effects this philosophy is having on European countries now. The question is, will we as Americans be courageous enough to stay strong in our understanding of what is fair and equitable without sacrificing the very thing that keeps us free and  a shining light of hope to the millions who live in a oppressed society?