Black Lives Matter.
Women's Rights Matter.
Gay Rights Matter.
Religious Freedom Matters.
Being Christ-like means more
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, ..."
From "The Declaration of Independence" (Thomas Jefferson)
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
First Amendment to the United States Constitution (James Madison)
"Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government
in the Constitution of the United States the danger of encroachment
by Ecclesiastical Bodies, may be illustrated by precedents already
furnished in their short history." - James Madison
"Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it
is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is
unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around
us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of
the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so
"The object of this essay is to assert one very simple principle,
as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the
individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used
be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral coercion
of public opinion. That principle is, that the sole end for which
mankind are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with
the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That
the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any
member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm
to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient
warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because
it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier,
because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even
right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning
with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling
him, or visiting him with any evil, in case he do otherwise. To justify
that, the conduct from which it is desired to deter him must be
calculated to produce evil to someone else. The only part of the
conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that
which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself,
his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own
Neither Christian beliefs nor adherence to Christian laws are required for citizenship.
The laws of this nation are not based on the laws of any religion.
Nothing should be prohibited by law which does not cause harm to others.
When Christians stand up for their own rights, I stand with them.
When they stand for taking away the rights of others, I stand against them.
If Christians wish to have freedom of religion for themselves,
they should be willing to grant it to others who do not believe as they do.
(Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.)
Some people might call me a liberal.
I am a free-thinking believer in equal rights for everyone.
I'm somewhat to the right of center on the economic axis,
and lean heavily toward libertarianism on the social axis.
I am generally anti-socialist, but I believe
that racists, theonomists, conformists, anti-intellectuals,
and conspiracy theory spreading cultists pose a much
greater threat to America than socialists do.
Black lives matter.
Women's rights matter.
Gay rights matter.
Religious freedom matters.
Young people matter.
Old people matter.
Immigrants matter.
Stand up for the oppressed!
Being Christ-like means more
than calling yourself Christian.
I recently started writing an article entitled "The Great Divide" and intended to post it here on AuthorsDen.
I had it about half-written but decided to abandon the project and attempt to return to my state of Apatheia
(the serenity to accept things which are beyond our control). Vita pergit. Accipio res ut sunt.
I decided to create a playlist of interviews with Christian authors Russell Moore and Tim Alberta instead
and to display it on my YouTube channel (toward the bottom under "Other Playlists").
Here is what I had written before I decided to abandon the project:
The Great Divide
I am a former believer. I was a committed evangelical Christian (a Baptist) for more than thirty years (I was a
deacon in my church for several years) but I became convinced that the things I believed were not actually true.
I converted from Christianity to agnostic atheism and secular humanism in 1999. Since 2001 I have spent a lot
of time discussing and writing about philosophical and religious topics (mostly in online philosophy discussion
groups). A few of the things I have written about those subjects are posted here on AuthorsDen.
I have two brothers and two sisters who are still Christians. I love them all very much but naturally there is a
disagreement between us as a result of the fact that I am no longer a Christian and they still are.
I believe that the Bible is not the inspired word of a god, and I do not agree with the position that everything the
Bible says is true. However, I believe that though most of its historical teachings are fictitious, it is a book that
contains valuable ethical wisdom. I still have a lot of respect for teachings ascribed to the Biblical Jesus, and
some respect for what I consider to be true Christianity (Christianity that teaches people to be Christ-like).
I mentioned at the bottom of the commentary for my "My Religious Position" article (I often post my own
commentary in the Review sections of my pages, and then gradually add more and more to my commentary)
that I have been feeling greatly troubled lately about some of my siblings becoming part of a cult and turning
away from what I consider to be true Christianity. It is my opinion that Donald Trump is an extremely immoral
con-man who has fooled a lot of people, and that MAGA/Trumpism is a cult that is leading people away from
true Christianity and has caused a great division within the American Evangelical church.
Before I continue I would like to introduce you to my family:
My brother Paul is a Christian who believes the same things I do about Donald Trump and shares my concerns.
I had another brother who passed away in 2019. We never talked about these things so I don't know what he
believed. My other brother and two sisters are Trump supporters, and at least some of them believe that Donald
Trump was chosen by God to save America, and have bought off on some of the conspiracy theories. My sister
Julie says she wants to discuss these things with her siblings, but it appears to me that she just wants to talk
about them and doesn't want to listen to what those who disagree with her have to say. Because I have talked
with her about the subject, I understand her position the most. My brother John seems willing to talk about these
things but generally doesn't say much. Because we haven't talked much I understand his position the least. My
other sister absolutely refuses to discuss the subject. I should mention that we live some distance from each
other and don't see each other much. On the rare occasions we do get together we want to enjoy each others
company so we avoid controversial topics like this. As a result, what discussion we have had has taken place
in family conversations on Facebook Messenger.
About a week ago, my sister Julie brought up the subject in a Facebook Messenger family conversation and
said she would like to discuss it with her siblings. My other sister said that she doesn't want to participate in
discussions like that. I had already written a bunch about the subject (most of it is in the commentary for my
"Never Never Land" article), and Julie's comment got me thinking about it again. It was her praise of Donald
Trump that got me feeling troubled again and inspired me to write some more (I added a bit to the end of the
commentaries for my "Buscadors de el Tesoro Escondido" poem and my "My Religious Position" article). And,
to start a new conversation on Facebook Messenger to discuss the topic with my siblings (excluding my sister
who doesn't wish to participate). This initiated a long discussion between Julie and I (My brothers Paul and
John also participated some) which ended in an epistemological impasse. She believes I believe the things
I do because I've been fooled by liberal lies. I believe she believes the things she does because she's been
influenced by cultist propaganda. And neither of us can convince the other that it is their epistemology that is
incorrect.
In this article I would like to explain my position, and to talk about points that I brought up in my discussion with
Julie, and the epistemological differences which eventually led to our impasse. Following that, since Julie found
it so easy to dismiss everything I said because I am no longer a Christian, I plan to include some links to videos
of interviews with Christian authors Russell Moore and Tim Alberta, who share my concerns.
I think I should mention before I proceed that, while I am a non-believer, it has never been my desire to lead my
brothers and sisters away from Christianity. Though I am a non-believer, I have a strong preference for what I
consider to be true Christianity (Christianity means Christ-like) over what I believe they have replaced it with as
a result of cult influence. Throughout the discussion it was my goal to lead them back to what I believed were
their original beliefs.
Outline:
1. Key posts in my discussion with Julie.
2. Two types of people in the world: "Truth seekers" and "Belief protectors".
Their different responses to the cognitive dissonance that occurs when
they encounter information which is contrary to what they already believe.
Perhaps explain why I am no longer a Christian.
3. The Ad Hominem logical fallacy:
Judging something by who says it instead of examining what was said.
I believe it is a logical error. Julie considers it to be a positive attribute.
(It assumes that everything some people say is correct
while everything other people say is incorrect.)
4. Her great inconsistency:
Julie argues that because she is following Jesus she cannot be misled.
She also claims that other Christians are misled by liberal lies.
5. Evidence of cult influence:
Her automatic dismissal of anyone (even Christians) who disagree with her.
Her acceptance of various conspiracy theories. (Her belief that she and others
like her have certain knowledge that other Christians do not possess.)
Her parroting of racist and other propaganda. Not recognizing it is inconsistent
with being Christ-like.
6. Links to videos by Russell Moore and Tim Alberta.
7. Links to my other articles and poems on the subject of religion:
My Religious Position (article) ⬅
On Morality (article) ⬅
Religion and Politics (article) ⬅
Never Never Land (article) ⬅
No Kings Day (article) ⬅
Angel Come Down (poem)
Colours/Colours Part 2 (poem)
Buscadors de el Tesoro Escondido (poem) ⬅
Three Days In The Belly Of A Fish (poem)
My Magic Bullet (poem)
The Dark Ages (poem)
Santa Claus Stole My Car (short story)
Paradise For The Strong (poem)
An Atheist Perspective (poem) ⬅
8. Mention in my commentary how throughout this experience I felt like I was called to bring
my brother and sister back to their original beliefs, that I considered the possibility that God
actually existed and was using me despite the fact that I am a non-believer, but I eventually
concluded that it was just a part of my own subconscious mind that was inspiring me.
See The Letter to the Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29).
🌎 MUNDUS SINE CAESARIBUS 👑
Personally, since becoming an atheist (and sometimes, as a result, an outcast) over 50 years ago, I have countless times been faced with saying a prayer at government and secular gatherings as though a prayer were required for these activities to take place. While I have not saluted (I was never a member of the Armed Forces) or placed my hand over my heart in some ritualistic requirement while the national anthem is being played, I enjoy the anthem which means to me that we stand together and fight for what is right when great danger confronts us as citizens of the United States of America. I sing along to the rousing tune. I also love to sing along with great spirituals. I understand that many of the hymns that I have sung were barroom songs that were cleaned up and made into hymns by changing the lyrics.
I hope there never will be laws requiring religious activity to be conducted in any government activity. If I am required to pray, I will not. I never have. I always respectively stood silent and listened to whatever prayer was being read or spoken. I did not scream or run out of the assembly in respect for those around me. We need to start looking at laws the way John Stuart Mill stated. Laws like those persecuting people for habits like drug abuse, I have no business intruding on those peoples' individual liberties. I look at it this way. If they want to kill themselves with abusive addictions, so be it. Who am I to put them in jail for their addiction?
Ron