tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post7623903001750763796..comments2017-04-13T04:47:21.148-06:00Comments on Pro Libertate: "To Punish and Enslave"William N. Grigghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-27471472101413770512010-02-13T22:48:37.486-07:002010-02-13T22:48:37.486-07:00flying the American flag upsidedown is a sign of d...flying the American flag upsidedown is a sign of distress, not really of disrespect, but it shouldn't be done without good causeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-28376469640785984392009-11-02T02:51:19.649-07:002009-11-02T02:51:19.649-07:00It is a known fact that our elected officials and ...It is a known fact that our elected officials and other "public servants" do not fear the public. Was it not Thomas Jefferson who said:<br /><br />When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.<br /><br />Isn't that why the 2nd Amendment exists? Our "public servants" need to be reminded that their titles are not "public tyrants." Is it time to water the Tree of Liberty?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-50440794985620661092009-09-15T12:26:13.775-06:002009-09-15T12:26:13.775-06:00I actually thought flying the US flag upside down ...I actually thought flying the US flag upside down meant that you were in distress and needed help. The country definitely needs help. I don't necessarily agree with your views but I don't think someone should be punished or treated like this for voicing their views. Even conservatives like me recognize that we all have opinions and some may not like it. If we try to stifle our opinions we will become a communist country and then never get our say about anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-15926555693957105832009-06-24T13:53:48.132-06:002009-06-24T13:53:48.132-06:00Dear Bob,
Actually, when you call for more Scriptu...Dear Bob,<br />Actually, when you call for more Scripture than just the NT, you want to include 1 Samuel 8. Romans 13:1-7 is one Scripture among the whole list, and we make a mistake if we insist on reading all other Scripture through the traditional interpretation there. The anabaptists are much closer to the whole teaching of Scripture than you think. Further, you have to read Romans 13 in the light of Romans 12, and be careful with just exactly what the text says and what you might think it is endorsing.<br /><br />As far as the just war theory which you think adequate, may I suggest a resource of interest: John Howard Yoder, _When War is Unjust_.<br /><br />The Anabaptists / Radical Reformation had different wings; the Munsterite apocalypticists were distinct from the pacificistic wing, which is evident by their actions.<br /><br />On to Will's article. The US Flag code insists that the US flag is "a living thing":<br /><br />176(j): "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."<br /><br />Idolatry happens easily, whether flag or state, it is a very current potential. These officers mentioned in Will's article were engaged in defending "a living thing" for the state. The Kuhns offended. And there is where we are.Nellis Lakehttp://christianandstate.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-19817040073631539682007-08-11T03:31:00.000-06:002007-08-11T03:31:00.000-06:00Mr. Brazil,Historically it was the pacifist - but ...Mr. Brazil,<BR/>Historically it was the pacifist - but only after the bloody fiasco at Munster, the New Jerusalem in 1533 - anabaptists during the Protestant Reformation that exalted the sermon on the mount over the rest of Scripture, such as Roman 13 or John the Baptist's advice to soldiers in Luke 3. But ALL scripture is inspired and useful for doctrine . . . 2 Tim. 3:16, not just the words of Christ in red or the New Testament alone. There is evil in the world ever since the fall in the garden of Eden and the state is intended to bear the sword for good - or I trust we are agreed, it is illegitimately using its power. Of course we see a lot of the latter these days with the decline of Christianity. Particularly Protestant Reformation Christianity. <BR/>Lord Acton's famous phrase regarding power corrupting, while absolute power corrupts absolutely was in context of the divine right of kings and the infallibility of the pope. He saw the problem, but as a liberal Roman churchman didn't realize the answer, if not that he thought it was found in history. Yet only an appeal to an other world authority is capable of overcoming/withstanding tyranny in this world, whether in church or state. Only in Scripture can a final word and authority be found that trumps both ecclesiastical and civil claims to absolute obedience and belief.<BR/>Nevertheless the ordinance of civil government is of God and does not originate in the grandiose schemes for power by men, whatever libertarians or anarchists might believe. Even further, abusus non tollit usus. The abuse of something is no argument against its proper use. <BR/>Private individuals though, are only to take the sword into their own hands for self defense, not vengeance. <BR/>In other words, the anabaptists would do well to read their Augustine, not only on how to interpret the Scripture, but also on the doctrine of the just war, if not even better the doctrines of free and sovereign grace which are the only real cure for the sincere but pseudo anabaptist piety.<BR/>cordially<BR/>Bob Sbsudennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-82234713921300211762007-08-05T15:24:00.000-06:002007-08-05T15:24:00.000-06:00Will, I've been reading your blog for a while now....Will, I've been reading your blog for a while now. Repeatedly, you have implied (if I read you correctly -- if not, I apologize) that something is amiss because Americans have not seen fit to take up arms against this tyrannical state.<BR/><BR/>While I sympathize with your frustration, this kind of complaint is problematic for a couple of reasons. In the first place, it sounds a whole lot like, "Let's you and them fight it out!" Presumably, the author will join the fight when it looks like our side is winning.<BR/><BR/>Like you, I am a libertarian at heart. I want to live my life in peace and be left alone by the state.<BR/><BR/>I am also a student of Christ, albeit a poor one. This brings me to my second, and more important point, which is hinted at in the following quotes from scripture:<BR/><BR/>"You have learnt how it was said: 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I say to you, Offer the wicked man no resistance. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him." Mt. 5.38-41<BR/><BR/>"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those whose persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Mt. 5.43-46<BR/><BR/>"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell." Mt. 10.28<BR/><BR/>There are more but you know this better than I. Even so-called "Christian just-war theory" has nothing to do with Christ. How can armed resistance to tyranny be reconciled with His unambiguous commandment to live as the Lamb of God, even in a world of wolves?<BR/><BR/>I ask this not in judgement but as someone who struggles with this question myself.<BR/><BR/>If I'm being honest, I think Christ is right. We can not defeat violence (the essence of the state) by employing the same. Case in point: The fruits of the American Revolution have already rotted into a tyranny far worse than the one that was ostensibly overthrown in armed revolt just over 230 years ago.<BR/><BR/>What to do, then? The great libertarian Frank Chodorov advocated, first, self-improvement, then education of those already predisposed toward freedom (he believed individualists were born that way, as were socialists.) I think he was correct. And this approach is consistent with the teachings of Christ.<BR/><BR/>Yours truly,<BR/>Robert BrazilAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-2353246269525041962007-08-04T23:54:00.000-06:002007-08-04T23:54:00.000-06:00Sacred flag indeed! Talk about idol worship. I pos...Sacred flag indeed! Talk about idol worship. I posted the link to this story on TAV (The American View) and no one has commented or responded. You'd think they would jump all over it, but apparently there are some who believe this is left wing propaganda. Talk about living in denial!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-58609355461930069022007-08-04T23:43:00.000-06:002007-08-04T23:43:00.000-06:00To desecrate means to treat "not as sacred". The c...To desecrate means to treat "not as sacred". The couple's actions were entirely appropriate and commendable as both a warning and a protest if one assumes that America (the concept of freedom integrity that they hold far more sacred than its cloth symbol) is going in the wrong direction or has recently become something dishonorable. The Gestapo behavior of the police reinforces their point all the more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-30571731563647606562007-08-01T09:27:00.000-06:002007-08-01T09:27:00.000-06:00I just noticed the Ron Paul sign behind the couple...I just noticed the Ron Paul sign behind the couple in the picture.<BR/><BR/>Niiiiiice!Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822812154321082569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-10369057412457908162007-07-31T18:05:00.000-06:002007-07-31T18:05:00.000-06:00I used to live in Asheville - I grew up there, in ...I used to live in Asheville - I grew up there, in fact. My sister lives right down the road from where this happened and has kept up on the events. She's actually started to get political (leaning libertarian!) because of it, and she has purchased an American flag. Along with several other residents in this neighborhood, she is proudly displaying it upside down.Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03822812154321082569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-57516495055507122002007-07-31T04:47:00.000-06:002007-07-31T04:47:00.000-06:00How's this for a public response? Crowds converged...How's this for a public response? Crowds converged on the raided facility to block the agents' exit, until the patrons & employees therein were released without arrest.<BR/>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/7/31/6352/08123Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-87930790762768735192007-07-31T00:12:00.000-06:002007-07-31T00:12:00.000-06:00Here's a similar story, but with a more peaceful e...Here's a similar story, but with a more peaceful ending.<BR/><BR/>http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_3flag.5957600jul21,0,531088.storyFredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00447111416321992256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-12641759393441326362007-07-30T07:50:00.000-06:002007-07-30T07:50:00.000-06:00Nice piece Will. Nobody tells it like you.Nice piece Will. Nobody tells it like you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-30928989026558561522007-07-30T01:29:00.000-06:002007-07-30T01:29:00.000-06:00Mr. Grigg,For what it's worth, you, your wife and ...Mr. Grigg,<BR/><BR/>For what it's worth, you, your wife and your family are in my thoughts. You have spoken out for freedom and paid the price for it, and I deeply respect you for it.Stanleynoreply@blogger.com