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Swindall Versus Libertarianism
Your love is too pure to ever force me to love you, but Lord, this is my heart’s true desire.
-Dennis Jernigan, born again Christian, husband, father, and Christian music artist.
I presented in the introduction I would criticize Pat as well as praise him. The strongest disagreement I have had with Pat throughout my years of listening to his show is his opposition to libertarianism. It posed an even stronger area of disagreement than our theological arguments, for as a practicing atheist I remained philosophically agnostic. I present this section in hopes of convincing Christians of Pat’s mindset that Christian libertarians hold a valid political view, and reason to believe it is based on Christ’s example. Readers need not subscribe, merely acknowledge the libertarian position as an understandable political view that does not make someone a non-Christian. Christianity is a religious position. Libertarianism is a political position. Granted, politics and religion cannot be fully separated, for politics involves protecting religiosity and non-religiosity. Again, it is my position, not Pat’s.
Often libertarians phoned Pat’s show attempting to acquaint him with the Libertarian Party, thinking he is a libertarian in need of a party. The mistaken identity makes sense considering Pat often fits libertarians to a tee. He opposes libertarianism on moral grounds. Though he has never advocated what he calls "bedroom police" (indeed, he would rally against such an entity), he supports illegality of not only homosexuality, but also prostitution and drug use. Even many non-Christians expect that if re-legalized, such practices would flourish. The statistics on drug use simply do not support that. Again, The Drug Policy Foundation can satisfy the skeptic. As far as homosexuality, it has been illegal in most states of the union, yet seems to grow at full speed. I credit government schools for that. They are indoctrinating children into Secular Humanism. They teach there are no absolutes. How then could children grow to differentiate between right and wrong, moral versus amoral? No, libertarianism is not the problem, government schools are. Some conservatives seem to think that because the words "libertarian" and "liberalism" both begin with "liber" they are one and the same. They are not. Nor does libertarianism equal Humanism.
[Since the initial writing of Perjurer or Saint, I have composed an essay on Christianity and libertarianism (http://www.theism.net/authors/zjordan/docs_files/stone_files/stone.htm) which should be read before continuing.]
My pastor presented to me in a personal communication that he expects, as God works in my life, I will do away with libertarianism. I expect and pray libertarian ideals stay in my heart, for I would never deny even one person the beauty and wholesomeness of coming to know Christ as freely as I did.
I present my life as an example of libertarianism protecting my atheism, then my Christianity. The Christians I encountered on my trek to Christ were influential in opening my eyes to the reality that some Christians do follow Christ and walk the talk. Jesus never forced Himself on anyone. Neither did they on me. Their walk would have been meaningless to me had it been to appease a civilly mandated Christian code.
I experienced amazement at how the West Cobb Baptist congregation could be so devoted and dedicated to Christ, yet so non-condemning, warm, and sane to these (my wife and I) atheistic heathens. By not having to defend ourselves, we were able to observe and absorb. They were nothing at all like the Christians I attacked while in freethought circles.
On
One unexpected event must be shared here, for not including it would deprive Christ and His followers of a full testimony. Also, its omission would deny atheists an opportunity to fully laugh at and ridicule me. While walking up the aisle I had inside me a feeling of great animosity for my former atheist colleagues. LaHaye’s work so opened my eyes to secular indoctrination that I felt repulsion toward those who support it. I thought that after converting, the feeling would expand. Within seconds of my acceptance of Christ I felt a flowing peace, compassion, and love for them. I will go to my deathbed remembering that feeling as a love that could only come from on high.
However, libertarianism and Christianity will
never be at peace until neither theists nor atheists have governmental control
over the minds of
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