Libertarians Aim To `Breathe Free Air'

The Tampa Tribune ^ | February 23, 2003 | MAREGO ATHANS

[u-89]

To my fellow freeper,

When I stated that I was a believer I didn't expect to be confused for a demon who also believes, sorry that I did not flat out say I was a Christian which I am. As to my morality being fuzzy I disagree with that conclusion. What I do is recognize that not everyone else in society shares my views and I accept that there is enough common morality among us that a peaceful civilization can be maintained i.e. government prosecution of violence, theft and fraud. I do not see where it is Christian to use the force of law (physical coercion) to prevent my brother from stumbling (for his own good) as I understand stumbling. In fact even the church was instructed to send away sin troubled members so on their own they would meet the consequences of their actions (I Cor. 5). Understanding that biblical instruction for the church how can it be Christian to sick the state on our unchurched neighbors? And one should remember that New Testament instruction is for the individual and the church, no where does it instruct on ruling general society.

As a social conservative I once thought as you but it was long pondering the consequences of the WOD on the constitution and on society led me to become a libertarian. Once there I realized a libertarian approach as the best solution to other problems that vex society. This country may have been a Christian nation at one time but face it we live in a post-christian era and government action will not turn back the clock but it will put people against each other. The less government has a say in the less reason people have for being at odds with each other. For example take marriage - that should be a private contract, if you want official church recognition fine, that's a private matter. The whole problem of gay marriage is the fight over government recognition - if the government was not involved there would be no contention. Same with school prayer, curriculum, books in libraries, funding for faith based welfare, none of it would be an issue without the government. So government action pits groups of people against each other and the more government controls that worse the problem is exacerbated. By the way I do not believe I exaggerated the effects of the WOD at all, if anything I glossed over them.

cordially,