"Mistrust those in whom the urge to punish is strong." Friedrich Nietzche

"Any and all non-violent, non-coercive, non-larcenous, consensual adult behavior that does not physically harm other people or their property or directly and immediately endangers same, that does not disturb the peace or create a public nuisance, and that is done in private, especially on private property, is the inalienable right of all adults. In a truly free and liberty-loving society, ruled by a secular government, no laws should be passed to prohibit such behavior. Any laws now existing that are contrary to the above definition of inalienable rights are violations of the rights of adults and should be made null and void." D. M. Mitchell (from The Myth of Inalienable Rights, at: http://dowehaverights.blogspot.com/)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Few of the Reasons Why I’m Not a Christian

At the Republican primary debate in South Carolina on January 16, 2012, Ron Paul was booed by the audience for saying that the United States should follow the Golden Rule in it’s approach to foreign policy. The Golden Rule basically states that we should treat other people as we would like other people to treat us.


In a supposedly Christian nation, with South Carolina having a large Evangelical Christian population, how could such a statement be booed? What part of Christ’s message was for warfare, for killing for any reason, for raining destruction upon those who have vilely abused you?

So what did Jesus say? (Taken from the Kings James version of the Bible.)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5: 43-44)

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. (Matthew 7: 12)

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." (Matthew 26:51-52)

John W. Whitehead, of the Rutherford Institute, in an article entitled Jesus and War, explained that Tertullian, an early Christian leader, told Roman soldiers who converted to Christianity to either get out of the army or be prepared to be martyred for refusing to fight. In fact, until the Church was co-opted by the Roman Empire in about 313 A.D. there had been no known Christian writers who advocated warfare.

“During a considerable period after the death of Christ, it is certain...that his followers believed He had forbidden war, and that, in consequence of this belief many of them refused to engage in it, whatever were the consequences, whether reproach, or imprisonment, or death.” (Dymond An Inquiry Into the Accordancy of War with the Principle of Christianity, p. 80.)

Clement of Alexandria stated the following. "Above all, Christians are not allowed to correct by violence sinful wrongdoings. For (it is) not those who abstain from evil by compulsion, but those (who abstain) by choice, (that) God crowns. For it is not possible for a man to be good steadily except by his own choice." (Cadoux Early Christian Attitude of War, p. 78.)

It was clear to the early Christians that Jesus’ message was one of peace, not war or violence. If you are a true Christian it is better to be killed, blessing those who are killing you, than to defend yourself and possibly killing others. Christians should not fear death. If they stay true to Jesus’ teachings then their place in heaven is assured.

This nation has millions of so-called Christians who are quite willing to go to war to kill the enemy, or actively support those who do. Do they not understand what Jesus was preaching? Have they become so enamored of this earthly, carnal life that they are ready to save their lives, but then lose them in the eternal hereafter? Or are they merely calling themselves Christians because it is convenient to do so?

I don’t really care. That’s none of my business. I do believe in making war on our enemies. I do believe in retaliation, revenge, and defending myself, my loved ones, and innocent others, using deadly force if necessary. And those are just a few of the reasons why I am not a Christian.