Where do we find the greatest value in life? through our relationships and our shared traditions. Institutions that foster those relationships – family, churches, civic organizations, communities – enrich our lives. Politics and governmental structures don’t.
If you agree that force, violence and coercion are not moral/ethical ways to interact with your neighbors, I would implore you to start looking at other ways to make the world a better place than using political processes and the power of the state to impose your conception of the greater good on the world. It’s always wise to remember that every tyrant in history claimed to be acting for the greater good.
The brutal reign of Fidel Castro strips the mask right off the face of government.
But what of this notion that there’s no sense in opposing war and actively pursuing peace because “it won’t work in the real world?” Should we abandon active, vocal opposition to war because pursuit of peace does nothing but chase an unattainable utopian dream?
The vast majority of people I know take a default position in defense of war. I find this bizarre. Earlier this year, I posted this…
“If we want a better world, we should not hope for an Obama and we should not fear a Donald Trump. We should build it ourselves.” – Edward Snowden
When we seek to advance the kingdom of God through political means, we braid the rope that will hang us.
You will never end abortion through politics. You will not save a baby with a vote. You will not convince people to respect life by yelling at them.
In a purely philosophical sense, the idea of Christian anarchy may not be possible. But if we view anarchy as merely a political arrangement, it fits together neatly with a Christian world-view.
“God intervenes radically only in response to a radical attitude on the part of the believer – radical not in regard to political means but in regard to faith; and the believer who is radical in his faith has rejected all means other than those of faith.”
