DisillusionedPatriot
02-28-2011, 11:43 PM
There are a number of issues on which Ron Paul supporters can attempt to connect and reason with the religious right. I'm sure there are many more, but these are a few that came instantly to my mind. It is worthwhile attempting to ally with this crowd to a considerable extent. The religious right claims to (and in many instances, I believe, truly does) believe that the Bible is the holy and inspired word of God. Its message of liberty and freedom is one that would often surprise all of us.
1. INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
Leviticus 25:10 reads: "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants."
Furthermore, to see by contrast what God thinks about liberty, consider the Anti-Christ. He establishes the ultimate totalitarian regime, in which he attempts to completely subject all rights of all people on earth.
2. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Galations 6:4-7 : "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. [...] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
The Bible teaches that each individual will come of age and accountability, and that after that point he will be held accountable for his actions. The Founding Fathers warned that for the republic to last, its citizenry must be both educated and moral. Many explicitly stated that the Bible provided the best moral code.
3. PROTESTANT WORK ETHIC
1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Ecclestiastes 3:13: “That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 4:28: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
4. ABORTION
Psalm 139: 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
5. TAX WITHHOLDING
Jesus said that, "the laborer is worthy of his wages.” (Luke 10:7)
In fact, there is an important Biblical concept of "first fruits" (e.g. see Deuteronomy 26) and the intent is clear: God is supposed to receive the first portion of anything we earn. This is to signify that all we have is God's, and that he is merely blessing us with its use.
Direct withholding, such as for social security or medicaid, attempts to usurp God's rightful prerogative - i.e. that his cut will come out first, right off the top. It further increases the likelihood that God will not receive his fair share if people choose to tithe based on their take-home income.
6. CHARITY
The Bible is very clear about charity. It only counts if it is done in a loving, giving, and even selfless spirit. This is the message of the parable of the Widow's Mite.
When government purports to act charitably (be it through foreign aid, public education, food stamps, what have you) it does not do so and instead commits the sin of theft. To force a person to surrender their own rightful belongings to another is coercion under any name. It is also a blow to the charitable spirit, as people who find themselves robbed might consider their charitable donations finished and will be less inclined to give freely and from the heart.
7. PARENTAL RIGHTS
The government, through state and federal Child Protective agencies, has been routinely harassing Christian families for such issues as homeschooling, overt religious expression, and use of corporal punishment.
Proverbs 13:24 "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
8. WEED
Sometimes I run up against a religious person who is absurdly anti-marijuana and will not consider libertarians who advocate for legalization. I dispute them thus:
In Genesis 1:29, God said to Adam and Eve, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." I think it's interesting that marijuana is a seed-bearing plant which stimulates the appetite. Men are often deluded, but the Bible says God is never wrong.
1. INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
Leviticus 25:10 reads: "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants."
Furthermore, to see by contrast what God thinks about liberty, consider the Anti-Christ. He establishes the ultimate totalitarian regime, in which he attempts to completely subject all rights of all people on earth.
2. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Galations 6:4-7 : "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. [...] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
The Bible teaches that each individual will come of age and accountability, and that after that point he will be held accountable for his actions. The Founding Fathers warned that for the republic to last, its citizenry must be both educated and moral. Many explicitly stated that the Bible provided the best moral code.
3. PROTESTANT WORK ETHIC
1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Ecclestiastes 3:13: “That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 4:28: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
4. ABORTION
Psalm 139: 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
5. TAX WITHHOLDING
Jesus said that, "the laborer is worthy of his wages.” (Luke 10:7)
In fact, there is an important Biblical concept of "first fruits" (e.g. see Deuteronomy 26) and the intent is clear: God is supposed to receive the first portion of anything we earn. This is to signify that all we have is God's, and that he is merely blessing us with its use.
Direct withholding, such as for social security or medicaid, attempts to usurp God's rightful prerogative - i.e. that his cut will come out first, right off the top. It further increases the likelihood that God will not receive his fair share if people choose to tithe based on their take-home income.
6. CHARITY
The Bible is very clear about charity. It only counts if it is done in a loving, giving, and even selfless spirit. This is the message of the parable of the Widow's Mite.
When government purports to act charitably (be it through foreign aid, public education, food stamps, what have you) it does not do so and instead commits the sin of theft. To force a person to surrender their own rightful belongings to another is coercion under any name. It is also a blow to the charitable spirit, as people who find themselves robbed might consider their charitable donations finished and will be less inclined to give freely and from the heart.
7. PARENTAL RIGHTS
The government, through state and federal Child Protective agencies, has been routinely harassing Christian families for such issues as homeschooling, overt religious expression, and use of corporal punishment.
Proverbs 13:24 "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
8. WEED
Sometimes I run up against a religious person who is absurdly anti-marijuana and will not consider libertarians who advocate for legalization. I dispute them thus:
In Genesis 1:29, God said to Adam and Eve, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." I think it's interesting that marijuana is a seed-bearing plant which stimulates the appetite. Men are often deluded, but the Bible says God is never wrong.