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To: A.J.Armitage
you're repeating the assertion that libertarianism and Christianity are incompatible. They're not.

Libertarianism is indeed incompatible with Christianity. Why? Because Libertarinaism rejects the authority of the christian church and makes the individual conscience the sovereign judge of religious and moral truth. It also rejects moral absolutes and authority...especially religious authority. It emphasizes that men should be free to do whatever they want in moral matters, whereas in Christianity, all moral authority comes from God, and if that authority is not excersized in harmony with God's law, then it isn't legitimate. In other words:

Libertarianism= "my will be done"

Christianity= "Thy will be done"

419 posted on 05/05/2002 7:51:16 PM PDT by JMJ333
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To: JMJ333
Because Libertarinaism rejects the authority of the christian church and makes the individual conscience the sovereign judge of religious and moral truth.

Waaait a minute. What, exactly, does the authority of the christian church mean? What is it you're rejecting when you complain about libertarianism making each person the "sovereign judge of religious and moral truth". As far as I can tell, the only possible meaning that can have is that you reject religious liberty, which means that your complaint isn't with libertarianism, it's with America.

OF COURSE libertarians don't believe in compelling everyone to make a particular outward profession. No American political faction does. Nor should they. Further, if you want to tell me that the absence of compulsion is incompatible with Christianity, you'll find very few Christians to agree with you. Not even Catholics, who would seem to be the only ones who can agree with you and remain intellectually consistent.

It also rejects moral absolutes and authority...especially religious authority.

You don't understand libertarianism very well. It's based on a moral absolute, namesly that force is only justified to defend or as punishment for violation of life, liberty, or property.

It emphasizes that men should be free to do whatever they want in moral matters, whereas in Christianity, all moral authority comes from God, and if that authority is not excersized in harmony with God's law, then it isn't legitimate.

It emphasizes that men are not free to harm any peaceful person.

I would submit that this is a part of Christianity. Yes, libertarianism in a part of Christianity. Not all of it, of course, but anyone who acts in accord with Biblical teaching will behave as a libertarian. Not a libertine, a libertarian.

422 posted on 05/05/2002 9:40:17 PM PDT by A.J.Armitage
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