Posted on 01/06/2013 3:43:37 PM PST by grumpa
We have noticed many conservative Christians these days claiming to hold to a libertarian political philosophy. Libertarianism is the idea that government should allow complete freedom, except in the case when one person directly harms another. While this often sounds appealing to Christians, we see see a dangerous clash of worldviews in trying to mix Christianity with libertarianism. We think that “Christian libertarians” have been unwittingly duped into adopting a philosophy that has much in common with liberal secularists--and is contrary to the Bible at key points. Libertarianism and Christianity really do not mix like some think. Among the problems are these:
(Excerpt) Read more at faithfacts.org ...
"Our"?
So you have a stake in this blog.
Why have you excerpted your own content?
What are you paid per hit? Where does that money go?
I do think that many of these observations have substance, but Christ did not establish a political kingdom nor a political philosophy. His Kingdom is not of this world, and he refused to be made a secular judge. Jesus was not a libertarian, liberal, conservative, communist, anarchist or whatever political structure my exist. As far as selfishness goes, Christians believe in God BECAUSE they believe that is better for them if not in this world then n the next. If a person knew for certain that he was going to Hell but still loved God, I would consider that an unselfish act. Ayn Rand was an Atheist and many of her ideas were developed from other Atheists, such as Nietzsche. I would say that Ayn is a female version of Nietzsche.
that would seem like an astute observation
I am sorry to say, but I think the article referred to in the first post is nonsense.
It has the appearance or tone of a reasoned argument, but is built almost entirely on straw man and ad hominem logical fallacies. Instead of analyzing the essence of Libertarianism, it picks on particular individuals, or beliefs that some individuals who call themselves Libertarians.
The logic of the article is similar to statements like, “You shouldn’t drink milk because many people who are anti-religious drink milk.” This article is saying that you shouldn’t embrace Libertarianism because some individuals who are Libertarians are anti-religious or secularists.
Just because you don’t embrace all the beliefs of all the individuals that ascribe to Libertarianism does not mean that Libertarianism is incompatible, contrary or harmful to religious beliefs.
Amen! What is worse is that these Libertines have adopted much of the Christian Lingo, while hiding their truer Atheistic beliefs. They are a cancer attacking from within.
Sodom and Gomorrah probably had plenty of libertarians.
Some of it goes to keep Free Republic running.
Where does your money come from
General cleverness, hard work and learning.
Doesn't seem as if you actually read the blog
I sure didn't. I noted that it was excerpted needlessly
and formed all the conclusions I needed at that point.
When some blogger attempts to use FR as an advertising platform, I might make mention of it.
Have you some problem with that?
BFLR..
The only rule of libertarianism is not to initiate force against another. That’s it. I have no problem seeing that as consistent with Christianity. It’s certainly not the whole of Christianity but it is certainly compatible.
Libertarianism is ultimately arbitrary. It is an attempt to define morality without God. But as Dostoevsky said, “If there is no God, everything is permitted.”
Physics can be defined without God, and be useful, just not complete. Physics does not permit “Everything”, nor does libertarianism. Libertarian Behavior is circumscribed by Natural Law, which is a subset of God's Law.
Any philosophy (whether Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism, Darwin's Evolution, or Ayn Rand's Objectivism) that has a non-theistic foundation ultimately bumps into the problem of nihilism.
True, but just as true as Physics. Again, Physics may be useful without being Complete. The “Big Bang Theory” is a useful model for the beginning of the Universe, but Begs the question of “Why” it happened, or “What” caused it.
Libertarianism inevitably interferes with the individual Christian's reliance on his faith as the sole lens from which to see the world.
Again, incomplete. One can use a model for behavior while also realizing it is “Incomplete”. Physicists do this frequently.
Morality should be defined solely by the Bible.
Difficult to project on a society that is not Christian.
Libertarians fail to appreciate the huge positive influence Christianity has had on America.
Non-Christians, as well as Christians, can be blind for a wide array of reasons
Libertarian Christians usually think that Christians can segregate their faith—their personal faith relegated to their private lives.
Again wrong, I am under command to be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. I an under command To Love the Lord thy God, and to love thy neighbor as thyself. It is difficult to project these commands on a non-Christian however. I MUST do these these things, and much more, but that does not mean I can compel others to do the same. Compelled Love is not Love, Compelled Kindness is not Kindness. I do these things precisely because I have put myself under God's Command Voluntarily.
Our COMPASSION as Christians demands that we institute biblical values in society.
Demanding Virtue is no Virtue at all. It is called Slavery
Libertarianism is at its core a selfish worldview.
Libertarianism, IMHO, permits true selfless acts, by removing Earthly compulsion, without voluntary submission, to God.
I have great sympathy with the author. He is correct that God's Law is the only Law that matters ultimately on this Earth. Christian Libertarians believe, I think, that submission to God's Law must be an act of Free Will, or it becomes Slavery.
The Libertarian Model, I think, is an attempt to guide a society by Natural Law. A Christian may well see this as "Useful" but "Incomplete". Statist Models are useful also, but a Libertarian might argue they project enslavement by Caesar (Government)
Coming form the Mountain West, where both Libertarianism and Christianity are very well represented, I see no problem with their mutual compatibility... In fact, I see it as a conservative necessity to carry BOTH in conscience:
Civil-libertarian thought helps to keep ‘social justice’ out of Christianity - Christians have no problem using big government in order to ‘help’ the downtrodden. as perfectly demonstrated by Huckabee’s mercurial rise...
And Christianity prevents the austerity and descent into anarchy that libertarianism in it’s pure form predictably will produce.
It is my honest opinion that Conservatism is not Conservatism without Christian and libertarian principles (in friendly opposition) in the mix.
I am an American, half-breed of Mojave and German descent. (Can’t get more Native Son then THAT, can you?)
I am a Viet vet, and a Cold War vet. I served MY country, and did MY duty, proudly.
I am a Libertarian, by choice.
I was raised to believe that, as an adult, you make this world, and this country, MY country, a better place for those that come after me.
As an American, any and all questions of my particular religious foundations, teachings, and philosphy, shall only be told to those “that have a need to know”.
I take offense to this article, as it has been written from the author’s view of, “Thank you for your efforts in the attempt to vote out Obama. Your services are no longer needed. Buh-Bye.”
This author has pointed towards Libertarianism, and Libertarians, and decried, “WITCH!!!”
This ‘article’ smacks of Christian Dominionism, and is another twist of the tired cliche, “Either you are with me, or you are against me.”
The author spoke that Jesus came to ‘repeal the laws’. I believe it is his very words, that ‘I come to fulfill the law.’
While the author chose to label Ayn Rand an atheist, and attempt so carefully to put Libertarians next to, or sitting on the ledge, of the same box, by reason of association, is a crime. Yes, there are a few self-proclaimed Libertarians that are atheists, but to just label us all in that manner, is a display of bigotry.
The author must begin to gnash their teeth, and quiver, and moan in disgust, when someone, anyone, starts talking about Jeffersonian ideals, too.
We Libertarians are rabid Constitutionalists. This must truly froth the author’s mind, as such documents must be divinely inspired, and yet held to bosoms and minds of those, that the author clearly disparages!!!
Lastly, in a language, from long ago, I give you this blessing:
“Fie on Thee, oh putrescent image of man!”
There are not large problems between libertarians and Christians. Libertarian ideas of freedom clash with some of the corrupt people in power in Christendom.
Christianity is fine. The authoritarian hierarchy (Pharisees) of most of Christendom should try practicing it some time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.