Posted on 08/31/2025 12:34:22 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
It may be appropriate to mention that something like rugged individualism is said to have been at the root of the brutal anarchy, characterized by rape, murder, civil war, genocide, and the nearly total disintegration of what had been the emerging nation of Israel that obtained during the latter part of the Period of the Judges:
“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”[3]
Several biblical texts emphasize the importance of caring for widows and other vulnerable persons in the community. Laws intended to assist such persons can be characterized aptly as “biblical social welfare legislation,” which provided them a kind of safety net or social security through a series of practical arrangements. Throughout the Old Testament it is understood that YHWH was concerned with the welfare of his people. Biblical laws regularly give expression to this same concern.
Old Testament law and practice can be contrasted with the modern ideology of autonomous (or rugged) individualism. In its extreme form, proponents of this ideology insist that it is right to seek one’s own advantage, but wrong to assist others except in exchange for equal value received.[1] According to this vision, life from cradle to grave consists of a perpetual process of bargaining or trading value for value.[2] The tacit corollary is that social safety nets are anathema, and that people who are unable to pay their own way should be so obliging as to perish quietly, preferably out of sight, without disturbing the more fortunate.
(Excerpt) Read more at reflections.yale.edu ...
And there also needs to he a distinction between “rugged individualism” and “freedom.” Freedom is Biblical. But it’s not meant to be lived out in solitary isolation, separate from interdependence within community.
Jewish extra-Biblical sources, specifically the Mishna (Oral Law) say that one who says “What’s mine is yours.” is righteous. And one who says “What’s yours is mine.” Is wicked. And one who says “What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is yours is in a “middle” category, though some say this was the characteristic of the citizens of Sodom.”
Meaning they lacked morality and kindness (universal G-dly values) of charity.
It is significant that there is no basis in biblical tradition for the notion that there is something wrong or unworthy about caring for or serving the welfare of others and the larger community. Quite the contrary.
So many assume it is all one or all the other. It is not. some cannot help themselves. There is nothing wrong it rugged individuals.
As far as charity, my take on the Bible is it is done by individuals, not govt or institutions.
:: a distinction between “rugged individualism” and “freedom.” Freedom is Biblical ::
Agreed.
Yet we must not be so obsessed with the community so that we give up our individual freedoms for the sake of the community.
If you do, you’ll end up with 6-foot separation, wearing masks and getting vaxx’d against [your] will.
You remember...for the community.
I concur. Overmuch dependence on "the community" leads to ingrained herd mentality that eventually becomes generational, ultimately stifling freedom and any form of innovation.
A distinction needs to be made between
A) The individual taking in the stranger, the poor, the widow and orphan and
B) The governmentr forcing the care of the stranger, the poor, the widow and orphan.
One view of Judeo-Christian interpretation of the Good Book is that individual choice to care for the sick, etc earns favor with God and is part of God’s plan
whereas
Grudgingly doing it because government forces you to do it earns no favor with God.
(Note. We are not talking about Salvation. This is about loiving a Godly life.)
Rugged individualism in what definition?
It should mean taking care of your own and not needing the government .
I have never seen it equated with a lack of values and doing whatever feels good.
In fact rugged individualism would have a strong set of values that does the right the right thing as that’s the best way to not need government help .
And to help better society.
I think a log of the mental health crises in the US comes from people de-emphasizing extended family ties. White men in the rust belt in particular, are dying “deaths of despair” largely from the shame and hopelessness that has arisen from lost industries and employment.
There’s too much internalized shame in the American psyche period when it comes to not measuring up to materialist standards or values. As though it’s all your fault if you didn’t “make it” economically.
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