"The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth."
- H. L. Mencken -
We first need to ask a simpler question.
Does the bible condemn all lying?
The answer to this question is not as obvious as you might think. Most everyone will agree that the core teaching of scripture on this topic comes from the Ninth Commandment.
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
- Exodus 20:16
Notice the word "against?" If you carefully research what scripture says about lying, you will find the morality of lying is inextricably linked with the purpose and intent of the lie.
Do you intend your neighbor harm?
Image courtesy of Breno Machado and http://unsplash.com
Do you intend your neighbor harm?
If you are using your words to intentionally harm your neigbor, then lying - either about them or to them - is wrong. You are initiating harm against your neighbor with your words. This can be seen in the context of many scriptures about lying.
In this clear example from the Psalms, lies are a weapon of destruction, used to attack the innocent:
"More in number than the hairs of my head
are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
must I now restore?"
- Psalm 69:4
Several other similar references, Isaiah 32:7, Psalm 109:1-5, Psalm 31:18, Psalm 52:1-4, all connect the act of lying with the intention to initiate harm.
Midwives lied about the baby boys.
Image courtesy of Ranjat M and http://pixabay.com
Now consider these "white lies" when Israel was in Egypt.
You can read the entire story here.
The king had ordered the midwives to kill all male Hebrew babies at birth.
Not only did the midwives disobey a direct order of the king, they lied about it. When the king asked them why they weren't killing the babies, they lied and said that the babies had been born before they arrived on the scene.
Were the midwives' lies sinful? As evidenced by the fact that God blessed the midwives and their families, they were not. Pharaoh had to find others to do his dirty work.
Rahab lied about the spies.
Image courtesy of Christine Schmidt and http://pixabay.com
Truth and lies figure prominently in the story of Rahab.
You can read the entire story here in the book of Joshua.
Israeli spies were investigating Jericho in preparation for an invasion. They were staying at the home of Rahab, a local prostitute. Word of their presence reached the ears of the king of Jericho.
Rahab hid the spies among food supplies on the roof of her house, which was an integral part of the city wall. When the king's servants came looking, she lied to them, saying that the spies had already left.
Later on, she extracted a sworn promise from the spies to protect her and her family when the invasion came. Their oath was truthful, the promise kept.
That Rahab's lies to the king were not sinful is evidenced by the fact that she is cited as a hero of faith:
"By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies."
- Hebrews 11:31
When a government is evil and destructive,
as virtually all human governments are, not only is it not a sin to lie to government agents, it is an admirable thing. Although it may superficially sound extreme, murder is the logical end of every statist policy. When government seeks to rob or kill you or your loved ones, you are morally justified in resisting.
Though having no shortage of flaws, the founders of America also saw matters this way. Thomas Jefferson's personal seal bore the motto "REBELLION TO TYRANTS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD."
But I am not your conscience.
I've written this article to help inform your conscience, but don't carelessly ignore it. Be sure that any action you take is based on carefully studied and firm conviction.
"For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."
- Romans 14:23b
Your family is paramount.
Image courtesy of Kris and http://pixabay.com
Is it right to resist?
You must decide for yourself whether or not it is right. When the government seeks to rob your honestly earned wealth, consider Paul's admonition:
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
- 1 Timothy 5:8
It is clear to me that my allegiance is first to God, and subsequently to my family. I owe no allegiance to any human government that pretends to rule over me. I am morally justified in doing whatever is necessary to provide for my family and and defend the fruit of my labor from robbery by government.
If that includes lying, so be it.
~FIN~
LOOK! Check out our amazing product:
>>CLICK HERE!<<
You are why I'm here on Steemit!
I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about them all.
⬇️To Check Out @creatr's World⬇️CLICK Each Image Below⬇️
|
|
|
Theologian Charles Hodge wrote about this. He did an excellent job.
Essentially, the Bible commends many people who "lied" according to modern commentators. Rahab, Rebekah, David's spy who gave false counsel to Saul, and Hebrew Midwives are all lauded as saints. The principle is that ethical rebels against God do not deserve truth.
Also, deception can not be deemed inherently evil. Otherwise, camouflage is a sin.
Thanks for the post @creatr!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hello, @ironmanmatt, and thank you very much for adding to the conversation.
I appreciate you pointing out these many other instances, as well as the fundamental legitimacy of deception in self defense.
Thanks very much for your helpful visit and comments.
😄😇😄
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
No problem, I love conversations regarding the Bible and applied theology. God's Law is the only true way to provide, protect, and grow freedom.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Amen brother!
SDG
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for the encouragement, friend! :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
A person who never lie and bounded to truth then whatever he say it becomes realty, if he blessed a person to become rich then he will become richer. In our scriptures lie is not considered as sin when there a harm to life.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hello, @krisatnet.
Thank you for stopping by, reading, and sharing your insight. I appreciate it.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
But the government lies to us, I think we should do everything in our power to lie to the government. Great post! Power To The People! ✊🏿
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, you can usually tell that a politician is lying.... any time you see his lips moving.
Thanks for your comment.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hear hear!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I agree your opinion but how lightning picture is related to moral behind of lying?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for your visit.
You could call it "artistic license." Or, a representation of God's anger against sin.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
oh i see now. like zeus maybe?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, kind of like Zeus, hurling lightning bolts... ;) Purely symbolic.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you for taking the time to share this, and I particularly liked your comment, "Yes, you can usually tell that a politician is lying.... any time you see his lips moving." Ain't it the truth!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hi, Mary!
I appreciate your visit and your encouragement. Hadn't you heard that one about politicians before? It's not original with me... But I do find it amusing in a sad sort of way... :O
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Good morning creatr..... when I wake up after thanking God for a new day my thoughts are usually about striving to be a decent person. Keeping the focus on myself instead of how I can impact others. Our lawmakers would do well to incorporate that habit into their lives because their actions suggest they start their days in a different direction.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Sounds like a good discipline.
Yes, I would be content if the state would simply leave me alone instead of meddling in every detail of my life with demands and coercion. :(
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I enjoyed this. There is so many doctrines floating around based on misinterpretation of scripture that I'm generally turned off, but this was a pleasant change from what I'm referring to.
Do no harm is a great law to live by :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, friend, for your kind and thoughtful comment.
I have a great reverence for scripture, and tremendous frustration when I find it misused and abused, especially when doing so supports evil...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Agreed, it's what turned me off so much that I went way the other way. Lately I have been able to look at the bible and stop hearing the bullshit, excuse my language, interpretations of long ago pastors.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That is excellent good news!
I certainly understand and can sympathize with tendencies to be a little "reactionary," especially after having your mind freed from the shackles of BS agendas...
I hope you've seen some of my Bible Curmudgeon series? I'm trying to go down the list of what, to me, are some of the more egregious misrepresentations of scripture.
Admittedly, some entries in my series are no great shakes, or pet peeves, but I hope to also hit on some of the really badly state-worship-twisted "standard" presentations... ;)
I plan to file them all on my Library Christianity Shelf... :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
But the Government has been lying to us all this while. Lie and then ask for forgiveness.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, indeed it has. That is simply because human government is the spawn of Satan. Here's what Jesus had to say about human government:
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The human government is full of flaws and weaknesses.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I only lie to keep the peace.
Sometimes I have to lie myself to sleep...'cause I'm so bad.
~smiles fer miles~
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hmmm... OK...
Not quite sure what to make of that, but I appreciate your visit and your time. ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I agree wholeheartedly with every word.
Feeling some moral obligation to obey or be honest with the state is bordering on worshipping a false idol.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, Matt, for stopping by, reading, and chiming in with your affirmation.
Good, good point about "false idols." ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Lie is still a lie! But I believe if its done, whether for a personal or someone else's; if it is not hurting any other, it should be okay! The world system is set up on lies! Its just that we should choose which ones to indulge in; nevertheless lie is a lie; yet so be it! I wrote a post sometime back on the recent criticisms on Ayn Rand's approach, do check it out, https://steemit.com/life/@alexkoshy/times-ayn-rand-s-philosophy-was-criticized-recently-and-my-take-on-it-in-less-than-250-words
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hello friend,
Thanks for your comment. I'll check out your post when I have a chance.
I am not trying to change the definition of "lie," simply pointing out that if we are not using it to harm or oppress another, it may be legitimate. Lying in self defense seems to be supported by scripture.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great article. I've been saying my whole life that I only lie to my employer and the government.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for your visit.
As an aside, I would encourage you to treat your employer better... ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Leviticus 19:11 and Proverbs 12:22 come out against lying more broadly than the commandment you have mentioned so the caveat it offers with the "against" part is not justifiable when looking at them. In a sense, all the cases when lying seems to be OK somehow in the Bible contradict those two verses.
Leviticus 19:11Proverbs 12:22Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hello, @rocking-dave,
Thank you for your visit and for pointing out these two verses.
While I would observe that, taken in isolation, these verses "come out against lying more broadly." However, I will respectfully disagree with you because scripture can never be taken in isolation. You must integrate every word of scripture with every other word.
For instance, in the example you provided from Leviticus, a very few verses later we find this:
Every iota of support we grant human government is a violation of the first half of this verse, because with our support we are engaging agents to oppress and rob our neighbor. And, every so-called "Christian" employer who obeys the Internal Revenue Service violates the second half of this verse:
If that seems to be the case, we can only conclude that we are misunderstanding or misinterpreting these two verses.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I was specifically pointing out the contradicting verses about lying, the government interpretation lies on top of that premise as an inferred conclusion and I wasn't really discussing it.
Well, that's an assumption you might agree with, but I reject as I feel all the contradictions in the Bible are one of the reasons it's not a good source for moral guidance, at least in my opinion, but I think we've actually talked about it before.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, @rocking-dave, for clarifying your intention. And so we will disagree about the Bible being a good source for moral guidance.
You see the verses you cited as contradictions. I do not agree at all. I see them as the normal use of human language.
In order to see them as contradictions, you have to treat language as something it is not. Your perspective requires human language to be mathematically and logically precise. No human, natural language is ever used in that fashion. Only computer languages and formal logic exhibit that sort of character.
In other words, my opinion is that you are seeing contradictions where there are none.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you for taking the time to reply and honestly considering my points, @creatr!
That's reasonable. The contradiction between those verses and the ones you pointed out are not the most blatant and/or obvious ones by no means. It's more of a plausible contradiction depending on how you choose to interpret the verses and their contexts.
The fact that the verses are open to contradictory interpretations is still a fact worth considering. When you are talking about something as important as the source of your moral code, ambiguity leaves things open to a lot of problematic interpretations. Who's to say which interpretation is objectively correct or objectively wrong. What I think is happening is that instead of taking their morals from the Bible literally, people just use the Bible and interpret it to fit their own moral views and we can see that in how the dominant interpretations of Christianity have shifted through the years. This is also the reason there are so many contradictory sects and this is why some people change churches.
Still, I think you would concede that as ambiguous and fluid as language can be, contradictions are possible and can be pointed out unambiguously enough, am I correct? If language is something that can express meaning, there are certainly ways it can express meanings that contradict each other. If a book contains both the statement "God exists" and "God doesn't exist" we can infer that the book contains at least one incorrect statement. If that is the case, a claim that the whole book is true would be incorrect.
So if you'd agree on continuing on this sidenote, how could you interpret away the contradictory accounts of creation in the different chapters of Genesis for instance. What was created first, trees or man? What was created first, animals or man? As ambiguous as language can be, I don't see how one could honestly square that circle and still maintain that the Bible is consistent in a way that it can be used as any sort of meaningful guide. If it's all a metaphor of some sort for instance, than how do you know which interpretation is valid and which isn't.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hi, @rocking-dave,
I was delayed in responding to this because I got side-tracked answering a question on your blog about finding older entries on the blockchain...
Nice try, but even what appears to be an "open and shut case" is not necessarily so in the realm of natural language. The larger your "book" or context is, the less likely it is that you an be dogmatic about this.
For example, in the book you posit, one page may contain this statement: "God exists in the minds of those who cannot face the reality of a mechanistic universe." Another page may contain the statement: "God doesn't exist within the confines of this space time continuum, other than in the hearts and minds of believers."
One person may or may not have read the entire book; may or may not be an astute student of the author's work at large. And so, in discussion or debate with another person who has a holographic knowledge of, or even possibly a personal relationship with, the author, there are bound to be differences of perception and opinion.
My point is simply this: what may appear to be contradictory to one individual can be a harmonious part of the whole to another.
As I continue to write here on Steemit, I hope to present some truly striking examples of instances where the scriptures have been taken to task, even ridiculed in the past, for reasons that ultimately amount to ignorance or superficially careless scholarship. One prominent case in point does come very close to "squaring that circle" as you have said, but that's a story for another time. Stay tuned!
You really do ask some good questions. As @gavvet has pointed out in his recent series of excellent articles, the bible is literature, and is filled with literary devices. It is truly a book that can be "the study of a lifetime." It is not a trivial task. As much as I've personally studied it, taking runs at learning the original languages, and giving it much thought over many years, I have still barely scratched the surface. One of the "general answers" to your observations here is that the bible uses stories as devices to convey truth. In many cases, the point of the story is not a specific sequence of events. For example, the Apocalypse, or Book of Revelation is a series of symbolic visions, and they are very certainly not presented in chronological order.
And so, the answer to your questions about "What was created first" simply may not exist in one or more of the stories.
But this is turning into an article on its own... Thanks for the stimulating discussion! ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This is an interesting and thought-provoking post my friend :]
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks. After you've thought it over, I'd be glad to discuss... :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I think I agree with you! I always use Rahab as an example :]
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, friend. There are also other examples (like David) that I didn't have time or space to bring forward.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Now I'm wondering about taxation laws... in here, the multinational companies can get away with paying very little tax if they know someone inside while the really poor ones like home-based mini-stores and such pay unreasonable fees and can't do anything about it :|
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I was thinking about that! the government is even the 1st to taste our fruit of labor seeing my payslip taxed before i get my hands on them. Modern thievery and slavery!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I don't mind the tax if it's done fairly and if the funds don't go to the pockets of certain individuals. But as of the moment, I don't get why the little people are taxed ruthlessly and multinationals have so many tax exemptions they might as well be skipping paying tax altogether.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Proper usage of the people's tax money is preferable of course, but it's not. As for those dodging corporations, they can get away with it for the reason that its' employees pay tax already. They have lawyers that know how to dodge them paying out.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
A very sad reality.
Triggered an internal angry rant in my head. It sucks how the entire set-up is burying little people further down the ground.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah..but so far we're no longer hopeless like before. that's how i feel anyway.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
:) Same. Now if only the other side would stop trying to hinder the changes that look promising for small people like us...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
they won't stop..it is us who will find a way.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Taxation is just a fancy word for theft. God does not grant "governments" an exception clause to the Ten Commandments. The eighth commandment is "You shall not steal."
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I could be recalling a sermon wrong but wasn't there an instance wherein Jesus was asked about taxation and he replied, "Give Cesar what is due to Cesar."? (Sorry, if I got that wrong. I'm simply curious about this)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You are very likely remembering a sermon correctly, but it is the sermon that has misled you, not the scriptures. Jesus did indeed say "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
However, that is almost universally misunderstood and misrepresented in sermons. Let me try to make it very simple for you to "get," OK? Let's be really silly for a moment, and suppose that Jesus was talking about a bank robber. If Jesus had been speaking of a bank robber, what would this mean to you?
The question you would ask is, "What belongs to that bank robber?" Does the bank robber have any right to what's in the bank vault?
The question nobody seems willing to ask is this: What belongs to Caesar? Does he have any right to the cash in your wallet? Does "Thou shalt not steal" suddenly no longer apply?
I hope that helps your understanding... Please let me know? ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That is undoubtedly the most convoluted use of the interpretation of the scripture I think I've ever read anywhere ,thank you for your thread and I've really been enjoying reading
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Hello, my new friend Wise Art... Very nice to meet you, Tracy.
I realize that you are a crafter of words, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could be a little more plain about what you've just said? What is it that you find convoluted? Do you agree or disagree with the interpretation?
Thank you for reading and visiting, and I am glad you've found some enjoyment here. Please do check out My Complete Library.
BTW, I found your story about the guitar so interesting that I have Re-Steemed it. ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah, that actually makes sense. I think where the confusion stems from is that the government is fronting taxes as a means to "improve" and facilitate a nation's growth. But in reality, the taxes that should rightly be used for the nation goes to the personal pockets of those that are in the government. But of course, they (the people pocketing the money) have no right to it being used for their personal improvement and growth.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The government has no right to take by force any amount for any purpose.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Just to clarify when I said that makes sense I was talking about what Yeshua said to the Roman soldiers not what you said about Yeshua or money or the government
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
The passage in Luke is John the Baptist speaking with the soldiers, not Jesus...
And, part of my confusion may be because Replys on Steemit may get "out of sequence" and not connected to the right author...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Governments take by force whenever they deem necessary the last thing they do uses soldiers uses soldiers
let's say they could just begin it electronically ..........think about it
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Force, up to and including murder, is the state's ultimate resort, and governments do not hesitate to use it.
But yes, of course, they also use electronic means and all other means at their disposal.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That makes sense?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great post... I agree that lying isn't always a sin. The purpose may justify the lies. We shouldn't be so dogmatic and rigid.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I appreciate your visit and comments, Thanks. :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Lying to family and friends is definitely wrong but the Government lies to us every time they open there mouths
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
That's irrelevant. Tell the truth. Follow the law unless it conflicts with God's laws. Pay your taxes.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Who says I dont? I said the government lies to us..
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Btw I stumbled upon a Bible verse that says you should pay your taxes ;)
Romans 13:7:Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yes, very interesting and very subtle language.
The question nobody seems willing to ask is, "what is owed."
Suppose I say, "Dave, you owe me a million dollars." Does that make it so?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I think the important thing is that the existence of this verse implies that there is indeed someone that taxes are owed to.
Taxes are owed because they are enforcible, otherwise they are just as declaratory as your statement here, just the determination of the value owed is more complicated ;)
As far as taxes go, I think some of them are OK. I wouldn't mind paying for my fair or even in essence socialist share of infrastructure, security, government, healthcare and education, my biggest personal problem with taxes, especially in the country I live in, is how much of it is misused and fueling corruption instead of those common goods and services above that they are supposed to support.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Intriguing post. Thanks for sharing! Followed! :D
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Nope. Law Enforcement Officers are trained to lie to us in order to achieve an escalated ticket/incrimination.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
They certainly seem to make every effort to deceive us, and to fool us into incriminating ourselves...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
And what if the government is not corrupted..
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm glad you asked. There is no such thing on the planet. Were any "government" of such a nature, we would have no need at all to defend ourselves against it by deception.
Sadly, the very fundamental concept of "government" is a flawed concept. It is entirely antithetical to the idea of liberty. The notion that any individual human or group of humans has some magical "right" to rule over other humans by the use of force is an inherently flawed concept.
The best we can do without transgressing against our neighbor is to form mutual aid societies. Such societies are free, by voluntary agreement, to form and support defensive forces for protection against sociopathic behavior by the relatively small portion of the population who are irredeemable sociopaths.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of the set of sociopaths have already formed what we know of today as human governments.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
As I'm aware it's a mutual agreement.
Also, some of them are called Ministers - what does it mean - it means that they are our employees.
In countries like Denmark for example they are pretty aware of that and they are pretty humble - using the city transport and riding bikes to go to work, not boasting about anything.... I'd be happy if @denmarkguy could share some more details with us, about his Dane point of view.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I have no agreement with the thugs that pretend to rule over me. These are the people who show up at my door with guns to threaten me. These are the people who will take away my home if I don't pay them thousands of dollars every year. These are the people who stop me and issue fines when I'm driving along the highway minding my own business. I have no agreement with them to allow them to do these things.
If they were my employee they would not initiate force against me. If they were my minister, they would do me good and not injure me and haul me into court under duress.
Do you live in Denmark? Do you experience a "servant government" wherever it may be that you live?
I never asked for this. I never desired this. I do not want it. I do not need it. I am quite capable of managing myself.
If they were truly ministers, I would be free to choose other ministers or to refuse the services of the existing "ministers," but I am not. It is always, ultimately forced on me at the point of a gun.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@creatr, yes Creator I'm sure you would be just fine without any of the support in the community the symbiotic relationship that you've always had with all things and you would erase it all and you would make it so much better for all of us if none of that was there and you could lead us
I never asked for this. I never desired this. I do not want it. I do not need it. I am quite capable of managing myself.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Once again, friend @yzart, you've left me curious and somewhat confused about your intent. Am I detecting sarcasm in your response?
Just to be clear, I welcome, revel, and thrive in the support of true community and men of good will. However, there is a dark group of men driven by evil motives that works counter to all that is good and right, and it is those I wish to have no dealings with. There is nothing about their activity that is symbiotic. It is destructive. I reject it.
If I'm still not "getting what you are saying," kindly clarify. ;)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
@creatr , you are a very thoughtful man, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.
I will ask you a question. If you can answer it correctly for me I will answer your question.
Can you define, the virtue, of, Yeshua?
Thank you for reading and posting....
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
There is no greater virtue that being the origin of all virtue, creator of the universe, LORD of all.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I don't live there, but all the things I've heard are positive. I'm still curious to learn more if a real 'servant government' exist in Denmark and anywhere else. Years ago, Estonia and Island were famous about their government's transparent policies as well.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
https://steemit.com/christianity/@samstickkz/upvote-for-loveworld-usa#comments
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
We're supposed to submit to the rules of government unless they conflict with the rules of God.
(Romans 13:1-5 NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. {2} Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. {4} For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. {5} Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Pls upvote for loveworld USA https://steemit.com/christianity/@samstickkz/upvote-for-loveworld-usa#comments
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit