Sami Määttä, Riihimäki, Finland Telegram X ...
My experiences of 1960s culture during my youth run deep. Understanding the changes taking place in the 2020s also requires “deep immersion”—there are no quick shortcuts. It is particularly interesting to observe how people interact within Western culture. Compared to the situation 60 years ago, connections have become incredibly diverse, and opportunities have opened up in areas such as travel,…
We must strive for peace. But how can this be done when we are faced with brutal terrorism? The U.S. administration is now seeking to negotiate with Iran. The executive branches of several European countries now see it as possible to negotiate with Russia. The difficult question is whether these efforts will promote peace that lasts even a single decade. This is my question after reading articles…
The individual, with rights and obligations, is held accountable for one's actions before God and the law. Conscience also guides individuals to live a good and righteous life. This is valuable in Western Christian culture and in a public republican system (res publica). Can we keep and maintain the republics of individuals, this earthly system? In the republics, individual citizens have all the…
The Republic will become a reality if people understand how to exercise their constitutional rights, such as freedoms of speech, religion and conscience. People are afraid to live in the manner guaranteed by the constitution. They don't dare to express themselves. This social psychological barrier must be broken down. I believe that the greatest responsibility for the realization of rights lies…
I, as a free individual, have power, as well as all civil rights. This is the order of a constitutional republic . In elections, I give power to my representatives, people I trust to take care of common affairs. Democracy works on this basis. But according to my deepest convictions, my power and other rights have been given to me in order to realize natural morality .
Our view of the world changes slowly over the course of our lives – news stories and random experiences are small building blocks in this process. But the accumulated material can also cause a major shift, an insight or a realization of a new perspective. Many Westerners have reached a turning point in their culture when, through the media, travel, and changing places of residence, they have seen…
The Finnish media often displays attitudes that disparage the United States, Israel, and traditional Western values. These attitudes have also taken hold in the public broadcasting service (Yle). However, it seems that Finns still support values related to home, religion, and fatherland. This is Western civilisation inherited from Judaism and Christianity. There is now conflict in our situation,…
Social goals were set in the 1960'ies in the spirit of international peace efforts and secularization. It came as a surprise to my generation (I am 72 years old) that there is still war in Europe. The road to peace is proving difficult. Another surprise is that Islamic terrorism has prompted people to defend Christian based values. Thus, religion seems to be a meaningful part of human life filled…
There has been too much partisanship and people have been pitted against each other. This is not a good way to run common affairs. Extreme confrontation can sometimes be a good way to find alternatives or compromises. But as an end in itself, or as the most visible form of action, confrontation does not produce the common good. However, a constitutional republic of free individuals and the conduct…
Religions play a major role in the world. I will try to think about the dimensions of this, without going into the personal experience and recognition of faith. Worldview; for thousands of years, religions have been guiding cultures towards a good and just life, providing, through their stories, hope and understanding in individual and social life. Protective equipment; religions have combined to…