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The 'Success' of Pragmatism

CGG Weekly

Barack Hussein Obama's election as the 44th president of the United States highlights a model of ruthless pragmatism that his campaign employed to secure victory. Pragmatism, a philosophy popularized in the late nineteenth century by Northeastern American academics, holds that a belief is true only if it produces a satisfactory outcome, meaning is derived from practicality rather than truth, and anything impractical is deemed untrue. This philosophy permeates the political arena, evident in the use of attack-ads and smear campaigns, through which Obama achieved success despite promises of a smear-free campaign. The effectiveness of such tactics reflects poorly on the criteria by which citizens choose leaders and reveals a morality defined by pragmatism among elected officials. This election season exposed pragmatism as a key element of satan's way, permeating not just politics but the broader culture of his world, showcasing its destructive nature in competition. Political campaigns mirror everyday competitive struggles, such as striving for promotions or winning in sports, where success for one means failure for another. However, it is in the reaction to competition that pragmatism wreaks perversion, as seen in the incessant smears against Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, with false rumors spread by media and opponents to destroy her credibility. The Obama camp, in the spirit of pragmatism, used these attacks to its advantage without denouncing them, demonstrating that power and success are often won through lies, which are then deemed morally acceptable because they are practical and necessary for winning.

The Pragmatic Japanese

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Japan has a history of abrupt changes in policy when the geopolitical situation alters against their self-interests. It is starting to do so once again.

What Is a Liberal?

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

While the term 'liberal' used to stand for generosity, the Democrat party has hijacked the term, applying it to murder (abortion) and sexual immorality.

Conspiracy Theory (Part Fourteen)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Pragmatism relies on what is convenient rather than what is right, cowardly kicking the can down the road for future generations to pick up.

A House Built on Sand

CGG Weekly

Harvard postgraduates, Yale Law School professors, and countless others support policies that to the average citizen seem an affront to common sense.

Beware of Philosophy

Article by Mike Ford

In the end, philosophy is merely man's search for answers without God. Real truth is found in God's Word, not in the minds of self-important, fallible men.

It's All Relative

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We frequently hear our culture labeled as postmodern. What is postmodernism? How is it related to relativism? Most importantly, what does God think?

Trump, Comey, and Theology

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Comey's efforts to target and control those whom he felt had exceeded their authority (Hillary Clinton; Donald Trump) explains his administrative behavior.

Navigating the Third Wave

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Third Wave is the Information Age, highlighted by instant communication, rapid transportation and ready information on any conceivable topic.

A Gift Opens Doors

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The bribe seems to be the magic elixir designed to turn a moral man into a pragmatic amoral man.

America's Conscience Seared with a Hot Iron

Commentary by David F. Maas

'Righteous' Lot represents those who become accustomed to the sin around them, progressively searing their consciences, similar to spiritual neuropathy.

Joshua and the Gibeonites (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The Gibeonites fashioned masterful disguises and played their parts exactly right to achieve their goal. God warns us about deception because it works!

In the Wake of an Unnatural Disaster (Part One)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The past 70 years has seen a systematic undermining of morality by humanists, and a bizarre redefinition as to what constitutes normal and abnormal.

The First Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Idolatry is probably the sin that the Bible most often warns us against. We worship the source of our values and standards, whether the true God or a counterfeit.

The Perils of Populism

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Americans have rushed to support various populist candidates for President, but history proves that populism has a tendency to spin out of control.

The Same Plumb Line

Commentary by David C. Grabbe

A former president was sexually immoral, lied with impunity, and misused his position. The same is true of the current one. Will we apply God's standard equally?

Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The emerging, new paradigm, purpose driven, outcome-based churches emphasize that the ends justify the means, glorifying relativistic human philosophy.

The First Commandment: Idolatry

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Idolatry is the most frequently committed sin, seen in five commandments. God challenges us to either defend our body of beliefs or drop them in favor of His.

Is All Fair in Love and War?

Article by David F. Maas

God gives us a great deal of freedom under His law, but do we have the authority to bend or break the rules under extenuating circumstances?