THE LAW OF THE LAND
One of the most common arguments for using the Bible as a moral foundation is that without a set standard of rules, society would spiral into chaos. Without biblical principles of right and wrong woven into our foundations, we would supposedly be incapable of treating one another with respect—leading us down a path of anarchy.
At first glance, this seems reasonable. Laws and rules help govern behavior, and enforcement mechanisms exist to deter those who stray. Even with such safeguards, crimes are still committed, so removing these constraints might unleash the worst in human nature.
However, this argument assumes that morality, as we understand it, is inseparable from religious doctrine. It fails to consider that our perception of morality has been shaped by a singular historical lens.
Our founding fathers, being of European descent, inherited a worldview built on hierarchical class structures, noble rulers, and a deeply entrenched religious institution that influenced both law and governance. Though they fought against British rule, they did not entirely abandon these structures. Instead, they selectively dismantled aspects they disliked while preserving much of the old order. Completely starting from scratch was likely beyond consideration—not only due to the monumental challenge it posed but because they knew no other way.
Or did they?
The Blind Spot of Self-Righteousness
From the very beginning, America has struggled with self-righteousness. Early citizens failed to recognize the hypocrisy of fighting an oppressive regime while simultaneously forcing enslaved people and Indigenous communities to join their cause—whether by coercion or by force. The prevailing assumption was that these so-called "savages" had nothing of value to offer. Their ways were seen as primitive, and assimilation into European culture was framed as benevolent.
This pious ignorance came at a devastating cost. Entire societies, thriving in their own right, were erased by a people who believed themselves to be acting in accordance with divine will.
Take Christopher Columbus—the man often credited with "discovering" America, despite arriving on an already-inhabited continent. His own writings reveal the disturbing mindset with which he approached the Indigenous people he encountered:
“They … brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells. They willingly traded everything they owned… . They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features…. They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane… . They would make fine servants…. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”
Here, we see people demonstrating generosity, cooperation, and trust—values that closely align with Christian teachings—yet it is the so-called "civilized" men who immediately seek to dominate, exploit, and enslave.
Some may argue that Columbus and his men acted outside biblical principles, that such atrocities were not in alignment with scripture. But history tells a different story.
Bartolomé de las Casas, a priest who accompanied Columbus during the conquest of Cuba, bore witness to the horrific cruelty inflicted upon the native population:
“And the Christians, with their horses and swords and pikes began to carry out massacres and strange cruelties against them... They laid bets as to who, with one stroke of the sword, could split a man in two or could cut off his head or spill out his entrails... They took infants from their mothers’ breasts, snatching them by the legs and pitching them headfirst against the crags... They usually dealt with the chieftains and nobles in the following way: they made a grid of rods which they placed on forked sticks, then lashed the victims to the grid and lighted a smoldering fire underneath, so that little by little, as those captives screamed in despair and torment, their souls would leave them….”
It would be comforting to dismiss this as a relic of the past. Yet history repeats itself. The process of villainizing entire cultures or people groups continues today. When we adopt an "us vs. them" mentality—viewing others as inherently inferior—we pave the way for unspeakable acts, justified by self-righteous conviction.
If you find yourself generalizing an entire group—whether by race, religion, culture, or nationality—pause for a moment. Consider how you would feel if your own identity was reduced to a list of negative traits, assumed to define you simply because of the group to which you belong.
What If There Was Another Way?
While European settlers sought to impose their version of civilization, they overlooked the sophisticated social structures that already existed among Indigenous communities.
Take, for example, the Iroquois Confederacy. Children in Iroquois society were raised with a balance of community solidarity and personal autonomy. They were taught respect for their heritage but were also encouraged to think independently. Status was shared, and possessions were communal. Harsh punishment was rare; instead of beatings or forced submission, children were guided toward self-discipline.
This contrasted sharply with the rigid European structures of wealth, power, and religious authority. Colonial society was built on hierarchy—rich and poor, ruler and subject, priest and parishioner. Consider the advice given by John Robinson, pastor of the Pilgrim colony:
“And surely there is in all children ... a stubbornness, and stoutness of mind arising from natural pride, which must, in the first place, be broken and beaten down; that so the foundation of their education being laid in humility and tractableness, other virtues may, in their time, be built thereon.”
By contrast, the Iroquois maintained social order without judges, jails, or police forces. As historian Gary Nash describes:
“No laws and ordinances, sheriffs and constables, judges and juries, or courts or jails—the apparatus of authority in European societies—were to be found in the northeast woodlands prior to European arrival. Yet boundaries of acceptable behavior were firmly set… He who stole another's food or acted invalorously in war was ‘shamed’ by his people and ostracized from their company until he had atoned for his actions and demonstrated to their satisfaction that he had morally purified himself.”
This system fostered both accountability and harmony—without the need for oppressive authority. It begs the question: do we truly need religious texts to govern our morality? Or do we, as human beings, possess an innate capacity for love, empathy, and fairness?
The Danger of Misinterpretation
Ancient scriptures do not hold all the answers—especially when they are filtered through the lens of modern biases. People continuously reinterpret these texts to fit their worldview, often bending them to justify power, oppression, and violence. Without fully understanding the historical context in which they were written, we risk not only misinterpretation but also the continued justification of cruelty in the name of righteousness.
Hans Koning, in Columbus: His Enterprise, encapsulates the lasting consequences of this misalignment:
“For all the gold and silver stolen and shipped to Spain did not make the Spanish people richer. It gave their kings an edge in the balance of power for a time... but all that was left was a deadly inflation, a starving population, the rich richer, the poor poorer, and a ruined peasant class.”
And yet, centuries later, we still see the same patterns unfolding. Wealth and power continue to consolidate at the top, while those in control stoke division among the masses.
If we cannot learn from history—if we continue justifying harm under the guise of divine mandate—then we risk repeating the same cycle of destruction. Only through self-reflection, empathy, and the willingness to understand others can we hope to break free.
We do not need ancient scriptures to teach us how to be good. What we need is the courage to seek understanding. Only then can we finally fulfill the promise of a just and compassionate society.
*From “American Origin Stories” by Matthew Cooke: https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewCookeOfficial
