(Daily Signal)—In the introduction of his 1984 book, “The Naked Public Square,” then-Lutheran pastor Richard John Neuhaus wrote about the relationship between religion and politics in society,
Politics and religion are different enterprises, and it is understandable that many people would like to keep them as separate as possible. But they are constantly coupling and getting quite mixed up with one another … The naked public square is the result of political doctrine and practice that would exclude religion and religious grounded values from the conduct of public business. The doctrine is that America is a secular society. It finds dogmatic expression in the ideology of secularism.
Earlier this month, Dr. Arthur Brooks of Harvard University echoed this theme in a rather remarkable commencement address at Divine Mercy University. Speaking to the faithful graduates who are about to leave their school behind and enter the world, he talked about how they needed to become “missionaries in a secular society.”
The doctrine, as Neuhaus said, that America is a secular society has led many to hide the light of their faith “under a bucket” as Jesus warned in Matthew 5:15 (ESV). But, as Brooks pointed out, faith can never be truly hidden because, in his words, “Faith is literally the most natural thing in the world for Homo sapiens for our species research shows that humans have a religious instinct many believe is biological in nature.”
He added, “Religious secularism has torqued us away from the natural to the unnatural because we have this instinct.”
Thus, the question becomes not a matter of having faith, but instead what you place your faith in.
As I write in recent book, “Stumbling Toward Utopia: How the 1960s Turned into a National Nightmare and How We Can Revive the American Dream” (Fidelis 2024), it was during that decade that radical activists sought to take over mainstream religion by replacing faith in God with a new secular religion based on left-wing politics and activism. This was particularly true in the old mainline Protestant denominations.
But, as we have watched these denominations slowly wither and die, it has become evident that this new religion, based on secular values, is ultimately unfulfilling.
Brooks noted this, saying, “Fake religion doesn’t get the job done, my friends. That’s why politics and activism when they become an identity always lead to depression and anxiety.”
Religion, without a fundamental belief in a loving and just God, but instead based on secular values, is doomed to fail. Without genuine faith, it divides rather than unites us as people.
On the other hand, true faith—embodied by not hiding our faith under a basket but letting it shine—brings us together as a people.
Thus, is any doubt that we became a more divided nation when the religion of secularism ascended in the 1960s?
That is why I was so encouraged to hear Brooks’ closing words to the graduates, encouraging them to do as Christ has commanded all of us. That is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, rather than return their attacks and mockery of our faith with hostility and scorn.
He concluded, “Begin the journey of love and excellence and truth which will bring you and me and all of us greater happiness and greater hope and greater holiness.”
I could not agree more because to do so requires a genuine, rather than manufactured, faith. It is genuine faith—based on love, excellence, and truth—” loving our neighbors” as Christ commanded—that we, as faithful people are called to proclaim to the world. We must reject the current fake religion based on secular values of division and seeking to conquer our neighbors.
It is that genuine faith that I hope and pray will be modeled by the next generations of Christians—regardless of their faith background. Such genuine faith, based on biblical values rather than secular values, will bring about the national healing and restoration so many of us seek. Rather than a naked public square, we can once again have a public square clothed in love, compassion, and hope for each other and for our nation.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.
