People all over the world revere democracy.

They die for it. The kill for it. They hold it up as the absolute pinnacle of political order.

But democracy killed Jesus.

“Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.’ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ All of them said, ‘Let him be crucified!’ Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’ So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ Then the people as a whole answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’ So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.” (Matthew 27:15-26)

Democracy in action. The will of the majority.  Collective consent.

Ironically, the majority chose to pursue a political path – the way of violence and power – an earthly kingdom. Their insistence on releasing Barabbas instead of Jesus symbolizes their choice.

Politicians and citizens alike preach the virtue of democracy. Question this political dogma and you will find yourself labeled a heretic. And yet nobody can tell you why exactly democracy is so great. It’s just a given. It’s settled doctrine.

But why should the will of the crowd always triumph? How does the mere existence of a majority somehow create moral authority?

In truth it doesn’t.

There is nothing sacred about the democratic process. At its core, it is nothing more than institutionalized mob rule.

Democracy can legitimately serve to facilitate decision-making in a voluntary society. But when placed in the context of a nation-state, it becomes nothing more than an organized mechanism for one group to violently impose its will on another.