Category: Religion

Vizzini The Princess Bride Mike Scott

Issues

June 22, 2024 / / 0 Comments

“Inconceivable”

“You keep using that word.  I do not think it means what you think it means.”

The Princess Bride

Just like the exchange between Vizzini and Inigo in the Princess Bride, there are many words in use today where the speaker does not know the meaning of the words.  Lay it at the feet of multiple issues from the lack of proper education in our schools to the misuses of social media.

Most misused words:

  • Far Right & Left
  • Fascism
  • Socialism
  • Capitalism
  • Democracy
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Wokeness
  • Christian Nationalism
  • Freedom
  • Liberalism
  • Woman & Man (surprised?)
  • Racist

In this series, we will:

  • Review actual definitions versus current misuse
  • Examine the far right and left spectrum and propose something different
  • Compare and contrast anarchy and totalitarianism
  • How has social and main stream media perpetuated these errors?
  • Do the platforms and actions of both major political parties line up with any of these definitions?
  • Analyze how the political spectrum has shifted over time in relationship to political parties

Christians and Liberty

May 6, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Christian Libertarians: A Fusion of Faith and Freedom

Libertarian Christians are a group of people who combine their faith in Christianity with libertarian political beliefs. They believe that the Bible supports a free society that emphasizes individual liberty.

Libertarian Christians believe that the government’s role should be limited. They generally oppose high taxes and government regulation of businesses. They also support individual rights, such as the right to free speech and gun ownership.

Some of the core principles of Christian libertarianism include:

  • Individual liberty: Libertarian Christians believe that people should be free to make their own choices about their lives as long as they do not harm others.
  • Limited government: They believe that the government’s role should be limited to protecting individual rights and national security.
  • Social justice: Libertarian Christians believe that all people are created equal and deserve to be treated with dignity.
  • Property rights: They believe that people have the right to own property and keep the fruits of their labor.

Christian libertarians draw on the Bible to support their beliefs. They point to passages that emphasize individual freedom and responsibility. For example, they cite verses that talk about the importance of free will and the evils of tyranny.

Libertarian Christians believe that their faith calls them to promote liberty and justice in the world. They believe that a free society is the best way to allow people to flourish and live according to their God-given potential.

Of course, Christian libertarianism is not without its critics. Some people argue that it is impossible to reconcile libertarianism with Christian social teachings. Others argue that libertarianism would lead to a society that is unequal and unjust.

Despite these criticisms, Christian libertarianism is a growing movement. More and more Christians are coming to believe that their faith is compatible with libertarian political principles.

Websites reviewed

  1. libertarianchristians.com/

Let’s Review…

May 6, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Our Brains: Lazy Cheats and the Power of Critical Thinking

Hey there, fellow thinkers! Have you ever made a snap decision that turned out to be a total dud? Or found yourself completely convinced of something that was, well, not exactly true? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Our brains are brilliant, but they’re also kind of like that lazy friend who takes shortcuts whenever possible. This can warp our thinking in all sorts of funny ways.

That’s where critical thinking comes in! It’s like a superpower to help us see past our brains’ little cheats and make better decisions in everyday life.

Mental Cheat Codes: Biases and Fallacies

Here’s the thing: our brains love patterns and quick answers. This helps us navigate a complex world, but it also leads to some predictable errors:

  • Cognitive Biases: These are like mental shortcuts. For example, the “confirmation bias” makes us seek out information that supports what we already believe, ignoring evidence that doesn’t. It’s why we can get stuck in social media bubbles!
  • Logical Fallacies: These are like faulty arguments. A classic is the “straw man fallacy,” where we attack a distorted version of someone’s idea instead of their real point. Sound familiar from those heated online debates? 😉

Critical Thinking as a Christian Libertarian

Now, as a Christian libertarian, I believe understanding these brain tricks is super important! Our faith calls us to love God with our minds, not just our emotions. And as libertarians, we value individual responsibility and freedom. That means making informed choices, not just going with the flow or what feels right in the moment.

Critical Thinking in Action

So, how do we put this into practice? Here are some everyday examples:

  • The Viral News Story: Before sharing that juicy headline, ask: Who wrote it? Is the source reliable? Could I be missing another perspective?
  • The Big Purchase: Let’s say those shiny new shoes are calling your name. Could you be falling for the “sunk cost fallacy” (not wanting to ‘waste’ money already spent)? Take a step back and really weigh if they’re worth it.
  • That Argument with a Loved One: Emotions run high! Can you spot any logical fallacies or biases on both sides? Being aware of these helps us move towards understanding, not just winning.

Let’s Get Rational (and Have Some Fun!)

Critical thinking doesn’t mean being a joyless robot. It’s about being more aware, making wiser choices, and yes, spotting silly brain tricks in ourselves and those around us. There’s a playful side to this!

Let’s sharpen those thinking skills and navigate this world with a healthy dose of skepticism and a good-natured chuckle at our own imperfect, ever-fascinating brains.

What are some funny examples of your own brain tricking you? Share below!

Declaration Of Intent Clipart 16

How Very Original!?

January 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

“constitutional text means what it did at the time it was ratified and that this original public meaning is authoritative.”

Amy Coney Barrett

Understanding the Past to Guide the Present: Why Originalism Matters in the Bible and the Constitution

Both the Bible and the Constitution stand as cornerstones of Western culture, their words shaping societies and inspiring countless interpretations. But when it comes to applying these texts to our 21st-century world, a key question emerges: how faithfully do we interpret their meaning? Enter originalism, a philosophy advocating for understanding these documents through the lens of their original authors and audiences. While not without its critiques, originalism offers a valuable perspective worth exploring.

For the Bible:

Imagine inheriting a treasured family heirloom, a letter penned by your great-great-grandparent. To truly grasp its meaning, wouldn’t you delve into their world, understanding their concerns, language, and cultural context? Originalism approaches the Bible similarly.

  • Historical Authenticity: Understanding the historical, cultural, and linguistic context in which the Bible was written helps ensure we’re not imposing modern-day biases and misinterpreting the authors’ original intent. This approach strives to stay true to the text’s specific historical setting.
  • Authorial Intent: By considering the intended audience and purpose of each biblical book, we can gain a deeper understanding of its message. Was it a letter offering comfort? A prophetic warning? Recognizing the author’s intent helps us apply their message more accurately.
  • Internal Consistency: The Bible is not a singular, monolithic text. By considering the relationships and references between different books, originalism seeks to interpret each passage within the broader context of the entire canon, ensuring a more consistent and holistic understanding.

For the Constitution:

Our founding fathers crafted the Constitution in response to specific concerns and aspirations of their time. Originalism argues that understanding these historical circumstances is crucial for applying its principles to the present.

  • Founding Era Concerns: The framers feared abuses of power like overreaching monarchs and an unchecked central government. Understanding these concerns helps us interpret the Constitution’s emphasis on checks and balances and individual liberties within the context of their historical anxieties.
  • Textual Clarity: The Constitution’s language, while not always simple, aims to be clear and precise. Originalism focuses on the plain meaning of the text as understood by the framers and their contemporaries, seeking to avoid subjective interpretations based on modern sensibilities.
  • Evolving Applications: While originalism emphasizes the original intent, it doesn’t advocate for a rigid application of every clause in a changing world. Instead, it seeks to apply the principles embedded in the text to new situations while remaining faithful to the framers’ vision.

A Balanced Approach:

Originalism, like any interpretive method, isn’t without its limitations. Critics argue it can be inflexible and fail to address contemporary challenges. However, it provides a valuable tool for grounding our understanding in the historical context that birthed these foundational texts.

Clue Clipart 15

Context Matters !

January 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

“Literal interpretation without context is not only dangerous but contrary to what the Bible teaches.”

Michael Coren

“The Bible, and the Constitution, cannot mean today what they could never have meant then!”

Me

Why Context Matters: Seeing the Bigger Picture

Imagine a single word painted on a blank canvas. You might interpret it one way, but what if you saw the whole painting? Would your understanding change? Of course it would! That’s the power of context. It provides the crucial framework that allows us to interpret information accurately and meaningfully. Here’s why context matters:

  • Disambiguation: Consider the word “apple.” Without context, it could refer to the fruit, a tech company, or even a type of tree. But knowing whether you’re reading a grocery list, a news article, or a botany textbook clarifies the meaning instantly.
  • Deeper Understanding: Context goes beyond just avoiding confusion. It reveals the why behind the what. Knowing the historical setting of a novel gives depth to the characters’ actions. Understanding the economic climate helps explain a political decision. Context paints the full picture, enriching our understanding of any situation.
  • Avoiding Bias: Without context, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and misinterpret information based on our own biases. But when we consider the circumstances, perspectives, and motivations involved, we can make more objective judgments and avoid preconceived notions.
  • Building Knowledge: Context doesn’t just help us interpret individual pieces of information; it connects them to form a larger web of knowledge. Understanding the context of a scientific discovery allows us to see its place in the evolution of the field. Knowing the historical context of a legal case helps us understand the development of laws. Context bridges the gaps between isolated facts, creating a coherent narrative.
  • Bridging Differences: Context allows us to step outside our own perspectives and understand the viewpoints of others. Knowing the cultural background of a person’s beliefs fosters empathy and helps us overcome cultural misunderstandings. Context allows us to connect with others on a deeper level, even if we don’t agree on everything.

Examples:

  • Misinterpreting a sarcastic joke without considering the speaker’s tone and relationship with the listener.
  • Judging a historical figure based on modern-day values without understanding the social and political context of their time.
  • Making policy decisions based on isolated statistics without considering the wider economic and social factors at play.

In conclusion, context is not just an added detail; it’s the foundation upon which understanding is built. By actively seeking and considering context, we unlock the true meaning of information, avoid misinterpretations, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the world around us. Remember, the next time you encounter a piece of information, ask yourself: “What’s the context here?” The answer might just change your entire perspective.

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2023 / / 0 Comments

December 24, 1983

My fellow Americans:

Like so many of your homes, the White House is brimming with greens, colorful decorations, and a tree trimmed and ready for Christmas day. And when Nancy and I look out from our upstairs windows, we can see the National Christmas Tree standing in majestic beauty. Its lights fill the air with a spirit of love, hope, and joy from the heart of America.

I shared that spirit recently when a young girl named Amy Benham helped me light our national tree. Amy had said that the tree that lights up our country must be seen all the way to heaven. And she said that her wish was to help me turn on its lights. Well, Amy’s wish came true. But the greatest gift was mine, because I saw her eyes light up with hope and joy just as brightly as the lights on our national tree. And I’m sure they were both seen all the way to heaven, and they made the angels sing.

Christmas is a time for children, and rightly so. We celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Peace who came as a babe in a manger. Some celebrate Christmas as the birthday of a great teacher and philosopher. But to other millions of us, Jesus is much more. He is divine, living assurance that God so loved the world He gave us His only begotten Son so that by believing in Him and learning to love each other we could one day be together in paradise.

It’s been said that all the kings who ever reigned, that all the parliaments that ever sat have not done as much to advance the cause of peace on Earth and good will to men as the man from Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth.

Christmas is also a time to remember the treasures of our own history. We remember one Christmas in particular, 1776, our first year as a nation. The Revolutionary War had been going badly. But George Washington’s faith, courage, and leadership would turn the tide of history our way. On Christmas night he led a band of ragged soldiers across the Delaware River through driving snow to a victory that saved the cause of independence. It’s said that their route of march was stained by bloody footprints, but their spirit never faltered and their will could not be crushed.

The image of George Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow is one of the most famous in American history. He personified a people who knew it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness; they must also seek help from God, their Father and Preserver.

In a few hours, families and friends across America will join together in caroling parties and Christmas Eve services. Together, we’ll renew that spirit of faith, peace, and giving which has always marked the character of our people. In our moments of quiet reflection I know we will remember our fellow citizens who may be lonely and in need tonight.

“Is the Christmas spirit still alive?” some ask. Well, you bet it is. Being Americans, we open our hearts to neighbors less fortunate. We try to protect them from hunger and cold. And we reach out in so many ways — from toys-for-tots drives across the country, to good will by the Salvation Army, to American Red Cross efforts which provide food, shelter, and Christmas cheer from Atlanta to Seattle.

Churches are so generous it’s impossible to keep track. One example: Reverend Bill Singles’ Presbyterian Meeting House in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, is simultaneously sponsoring hot meals on wheels programs, making and delivering hundreds of sandwiches and box loads of clothes, while visiting local hospitals and sending postcards to shut-ins and religious dissidents abroad.

Let us remember the families who maintain a watch for their missing in action. And, yes, let us remember all those who are persecuted inside the Soviet bloc — not because they commit a crime, but because they love God in their hearts and want the freedom to celebrate Hanukkah or worship the Christ Child.

And because faith for us is not an empty word, we invoke the power of prayer to spread the spirit of peace. We ask protection for our soldiers who are guarding peace tonight — from frigid outposts in Alaska and the Korean demilitarized zone to the shores of Lebanon. One Lebanese mother told us that her little girl had only attended school 2 of the last 8 years. Now, she said, because of our presence there her daughter can live a normal life.

With patience and firmness we can help bring peace to that strife-torn region and make our own lives more secure. The Christmas spirit of peace, hope, and love is the spirit Americans carry with them all year round, everywhere we go. As long as we do, we need never be afraid, because trusting in God is the one sure answer to all the problems we face.

Till next week, thanks for listening, God bless you, and Merry Christmas.

Note: The President spoke at 12:06 p.m. from the Oval Office at the White House.

Libertarian Party 312320 640

Christian Libertarianism

November 20, 2023 / / 0 Comments

“The real division is not between conservatives and revolutionaries but between authoritarians and libertarians.”

George Orwell

Christian Libertarianism: A Fusion of Faith and Freedom

Christian libertarianism is a political philosophy that blends the principles of Christianity with those of libertarianism. It emphasizes individual liberty, limited government, and free markets, while also upholding traditional Christian values such as compassion, charity, and personal responsibility.

Core Tenets of Christian Libertarianism

At its core, Christian libertarianism rests on the belief that individuals are endowed with inherent rights and freedoms granted by God, and that government’s role should be primarily limited to protecting those rights, rather than dictating individual behavior or economic outcomes.

  • Individual Liberty: Christian libertarians believe that individuals have the right to make their own choices about their lives, including their religious beliefs, economic pursuits, and personal relationships. They advocate for minimal government interference in these areas, believing that individuals are best equipped to manage their own affairs.
  • Limited Government: Christian libertarians view government with a degree of skepticism, believing that its power should be restrained to prevent it from encroaching on individual liberties. They favor free markets, limited taxation, and a focus on core government functions such as national defense, law enforcement, and the protection of property rights.
  • Voluntaryism: Christian libertarians emphasize voluntary cooperation and charity as means of addressing social problems, rather than relying on government intervention or coercion. They believe that individuals are more likely to act with compassion and generosity when motivated by their own convictions and beliefs.
  • Personal Responsibility: Christian libertarians hold individuals accountable for their own actions and choices. They believe that individuals should not rely on government handouts or safety nets, but rather should strive to achieve self-reliance and independence.

Reconciling Faith with Freedom

Christian libertarians reconcile their faith with their political beliefs by emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility and the role of voluntary charity. They believe that individuals have a moral obligation to help those in need, but that this assistance should be motivated by compassion and personal conviction, rather than by government compulsion.

Applications of Christian Libertarianism

Christian libertarianism has been applied to a range of issues, including:

  • Economics: Christian libertarians generally favor free-market economics, believing that competition and individual choice lead to prosperity and economic growth.
  • Social Issues: Christian libertarians often oppose government intervention in social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and drug legalization, believing that these matters should be left to individual conscience and voluntary associations.
  • Foreign Policy: Christian libertarians generally favor non-interventionist foreign policies, believing that the United States should not use military force to promote democracy or nation-building abroad.

Conclusion

Christian libertarianism offers a unique perspective on the intersection of faith and politics, blending the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets with traditional Christian values. Its emphasis on voluntaryism and personal responsibility provides a framework for addressing social needs without relying on government intervention. While Christian libertarianism faces criticisms for its limited view of government’s role in social welfare, it remains a thought-provoking and influential political philosophy.

© 2025 Free Thought

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑