Wednesday, August 31, 2005
-
Currently Reading
La Ley / The Law
By Frederic Bastiat
see relatedI have finally come to the conclusion that I am no longer able to call myself a "conservative" as the term is now defined. I am not a modern liberal either.
I am a classical liberal, meaning that I support government intervention when someone’s rights have been violated, and not before.
The question is, how is this different from conservativism? The answer in the question of laws regarding sin. I do not believe adultery should be outlawed (everyone would be in jail). I do not believe that cursing should be outlawed, except when the person cursing is literally forcing someone to listen to them. I do not believe trade should be regulated, unless it is directly violating someone’s rights. I do not support government charity (grants, welfare, or other forms of socialism), as that is a church function, and not a state function.
I can come up with countless pragmatic reasons for my decision, but I think the absolute biggest reason should, obviously, come from Scripture. What did Jesus have to say about punishing adultery? His response was simply, "He who has no sin, cast the first stone." Jesus knew what he was talking about. Every single one of those who were gathered to stone the adulteress had, at some point, committed adultery going by Jesus' definition (which included lusting in heart). Considering the fact that we can sin in our thoughts, we should all be jailed for a sinful heart. This, obviously, just wouldn't work. No, government should not outlaw sin, but should only outlaw a right violation.
This idea goes against of what the governments role is considered in many "Christian" (codename for "conservative") circles. Regardless, simply because something is not popular, that doesn't mean that it isn't true. I would go as far to say that that might be the tip-off that something is true, if it is unpopular. ;)
If you have any questions regarding this, feel free to ask here, or send me an email at shaunconnell@gmail.com.
Shaun
-
recommend
- recs 0
- give stars
- votes 0
-
share
-
email
- sent 0
Post a Comment
- Back to SHAUNPHD's Xanga Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in SHAUNPHD's local time zone: GMT -06:00 (Central Standard - US, Canada)
Comments (3)
ok................................. i didnt understand a word of that (probably cuz it waz all speled right). anyway drop by my sight once in awhile. cya
~the dodge dude
Shaun, conservatism has a very large spectrum. Part of if is the neo-cons, which is to whom you are referring. But, on the other hand there are the Reagan conservatives, which fall more toward classical liberalism (e.g. Joe Scarborough Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Thomas E. Woods Jr., David Barton, Ann Coulter and so forth. :)
But I totally agree with your principles.
Will,
I'm going by the normal definition of conservative which supports free trade, but a restricted social behaviour.
I'm going to post a much longer version of what I wrote tomorrow... explaining mor in depth.