C.S. Lewis quote-of-the-week
“Most of us are not really approaching the subject in order to find out what Christianity says: we are approaching it in the hope of finding support from Christianity for the views of our own party.”
--Mere Christianity, book 3, ch. 3
Actually, this is true for many people on many different topics and in many facets of life. On the latter, people already know what they want to do (and are going to do)-- and seek "input" that verifies the conclusion they've already reached while dismissing that which does not agree that conclusion.On topics, do yourself (and others) a favor and read something on "the other side"-- whether on global warming or not, skepticism or Christianity, eschatology, prohibition or legalization on drugs, and so on.
posted by Eric Schansberg @ 9:30 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
I struggle with this. I have read your book and agree with what you have to say. I wonder however if I am intrepreting the bible through my classical liberal/libertarian lense. I hope I am not. I especially think this because not many christians hold similar views. What are your thoughts?
A great question with no easy answer.
This doesn't solve anything, but when you're not in line with "conventional wisdom"-- and you've had to work to get there-- it's often a good sign.
I think the same is true for you and me-- what are the ethical and practical arguments in favor of state intervention (and Christians embracing the State as a means to godly ends)?
I guess to create a more just world thru financial redistribution or universal health care or union legislation. The christian friends I talk to don't seem to equate taxation/legislation with the use of force. So the "means" don't bother them. Now they may say pragmatically that taxation isn't good but they would never say taxation is wrong. And I would have to say that issue is my biggest struggle with libertarianism. Should I consider taxation theft? I don't see taxation condemned in the Bible as theft.
Taxation (always) equals theft is too simplistic.
One key distinction is whether the recipients are individuals or "the general welfare". For example, it is different to take your money and give it to Fred-- compared to taking your money to help provide for the national defense. (National defense is provided by the State-- constitutionally and in terms of efficiency [govt vs. mkt provision of so-called "public goods"].)
That said, few things provided by the govt fit either the Constitutional or the efficiency category. (Another example would be regulating pollution.) These other cases reduce far more easily to taxation equals theft.
Aside from the "general welfare", if your friends are ok with taxation ethically, then you're left with ethical cases that are bothersome to them or cases where it's practical. At the least, a Christian must allow that coerced taxation is second-best to the Church stepping up and taking care of its business.
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