If it is possible to watch a society -- an entire civilization -- go insane, we are watching that phenomenon in real-time. Across all forms of media, the headlines bring fresh evidence daily.

Western civilization -- that aggregation of cultural, political, social, and religious traditions that have formed the basis for European societies and those of their current and former colonies and territories -- is committing suicide, using every weapon -- philosophical, legal, political -- at its disposal.

The fundamental principles of Western civilization are drawn from a variety of sources, including Judeo-Christianity, Greek philosophy, Roman government, and British legal theory. Among these principles are a belief in the existence of truth and the ability to discern it; the pursuit of scientific inquiry to elevate man's understanding of himself and the world; the existence of the nation-state and the rights and duties of citizens; the rule of law and the importance of private property; the value of honesty and integrity; the need for punishment of crime and protection of the innocent, especially children; the primacy of family and the role of parents in the upbringing of children; and -- at least in the United States -- the balance of liberty and individual responsibility as a necessary precursor to limited government.

Each of these pillars of Western civilization is being undermined, corrupted, and hacked down.

Where we once had a society that held........

© Townhall