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Why Christian and atheist libertarians
get along
by Kenn Gividen
I'm the most religious guy
in the Libertarian Party. At least that's what my friend, Charlie, decided. I
don't know if his bit of insight was meant to be a compliment or a mere
observation. Either way, I suppose there are others more deserving.
For his part, Charlie is a declared atheist. And therein lies a dilemma for some
libertarians. How can I a certified, card-carrying Bible thumper stand
shoulder to shoulder with a guy who's never thumped a Bible in his life?
In spite of ourselves
One may assume there is a dιtente in which the discussion of religion is avoided
like a trip to the dentist. One would be wrong. I find few things more
intellectually stimulating than a lively spat with a well-informed atheist
particularly when feeble attempts are made to defend the untenable; e.g.,
evolution.
Or, one may assume there is a level of irreconcilable toleration. Not so. Some
of the best Christians I know are atheists. By that, I mean, atheists usually
surpass Christians in areas such as morality, decency and human kindness. I
don't tolerate these people. I like them. I enjoy their company. I'd rather hang
out with a crowd of honest atheists than a church full of back-stabbing Baptists
any day of the week, including Sunday.
So why do libertarian Christians and atheists get along?
Exclusion doesn't work
The answer can be found in the word, 'inclusion." Think about it.
When Protestants control a government say Northern Ireland, for example
Catholics and other non-Protestants have a tough way to go. And when Catholics
take charge as in Ireland Protestants find themselves on the outside looking
in.
Come to think of it, when any religious group takes control, all others face
dire consequences. Consider the history of England. Bloody Mary had at least 275
Protestants burned at the stake (including the Archbishop of Canterbury) during
her brief five-year term as Queen of England. A century later, Protestant
Elizabeth I was executing Catholics. For their part, Muslims have a history of
killing both Protestants and Catholics, not to mention Jews.
Life, some think, would be simpler if not safer if no religious sect
controlled government. Let's put atheists in charge, they say. That would end
sectarian bloodletting.
The inherent problem with atheists at the helm of government can be seen by
recounting life under the rule of French atheist Maximilien Robespierre. More
than a century after Queen Elizabeth executed Catholics, and 200 years after
Bloody Mary was being bloody, Robespierre was sending thousands to the
guillotine. The atheistic government of Joseph Stalin killed millions, and Pol
Pot's Khmer Rouge slaughtered hundreds of thousands.
Protestants, Catholics, Muslims and atheists have one thing in common: When any
sectarian group controls government, people die. Yet that was the norm of world
history until the 17th century.
A place at the table
Perhaps the most momentous day in American history was February 5, 1631 when a
free-thinking British preacher named Roger Williams alit from a ship in Boston's
harbor. Williams purchased land from the Indians and founded a community that
became Rhode Island. Unlike the other colonies, Rhode Island separated civil and
ecclesiastical governments. No sect would control government. Rather, all would
have a place at the table.
Williams' philosophy of religious liberty was perceived to be an invitation to
disaster. But the anticipated quarreling among the sects never materialized. In
fact, the arrangement resulted in religious harmony. No religious institution
felt threatened by any other, for all were free to believe (or not believe) as
they pleased. There was no reason to burn your neighbors at the stake for having
too many holes in their sleeves.
And that takes us back to the original question.
Why do Libertarians Christians, atheists and other sectarians manage to get
along? The answer is simple. Like Williams, we understand the principle of
inclusion. Everyone has a place at the table.
And so, I can relish the thought of being the most religious guy in the
Libertarian Party without fear of Charlie sending me to the gulag. Erstwhile, my
Christian friends will continue to call me the most libertarian guy in the
Baptist church.
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