Confessions of a true believer

It also doesn't mean that the sentiments of, say, a Jerry Falwell, or of a local leader of some Christian Civic League represent my personal philosophy either.

You see, ....I'm a true believer, and a true believer might offer you advice, or assistance, or pray for you, or even abhor you, ....but a true believer will never advocate compelling you to behave according to his own standards, especially at the point of a gun.

Do not mistake this to mean that a true believer will tolerate crimes of aggression against himself or his community. He will not. Any rational human being does not wish to be murdered, raped, robbed, or defrauded, and anyone engaged in these sorts of activities is universally held an anathema to human civility and decorum–––by everyone, not only true believers. Because of reality such as this, men recognize their inalienable right to self defense.

I truly believe that there are many people engaged in self destructive activities that are shameful and criminal, but I do not believe that it is my place, nor yours, to judge and punish a person for such activities which affect no one but himself. There is a higher judge for that than you or I, and we must never suppose we can rise to such a level.

That's right. A true believer might not approve of many things people do, and to remain true to himself, he is free not to do them. He must also, to remain true to himself, not seek to violate the freedom of any other to do whatever that other may please, up to the point that such activities cross the line of aggression upon others.

As a true believer, I believe that it is pointless and presumptuous of me to think that simply because I know the truth, that I may force that truth upon another. You cannot change human nature. The proof is in the pudding. Evil multitudes throughout history, and maybe some well intentioned, have conspired to bend the will of humanity to their own agendas. The usual results of these coercive efforts are generally calculated in human death tolls.

Ultimately, every individual must bear the responsibility for himself before the supreme judge. In our free republic, therefore, the individual has every right to think and act in any manner he pleases unless he harms another's right to the same.

It is precisely because of our acknowledgement of a higher authority that our system of government was designed to function within the framework of individual liberty. What did you think freedom meant, anyway?

Though I truly believe I understand the noblest course for personal responsibility, I must never seek to compel another to accept my knowledge, lest someone or some group might seek to compel me to accept theirs. Ironically, the principle of freedom is too simple. It is completely lost on the vast majority of today's alphabet soup generations, ....the aging, taxed, and tired, ....or the fresh new wave of young studs, pre-tenderized and functionally illiterate upon their emergence from state funded schools.

I truly believe nobody owes you (or me) a living. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. You might see the acronym TANSTAAFL at many freedom sites online. There ain't no free lunch is what it means.

Of course, you are free to earn one for yourself, but those who would steal one or shamelessly accept unjust ones I believe are scurrilous criminals. Almost universally this category, by definition, includes all lawyers and politicians.

I believe in the virtue of charity, but I don't believe anyone else should decide for me what and how much and to whom I should give, especially not lawyers and politicians.

I truly believe many other things that you may or may not agree with and you are free to do so. Just remember that I am free to hold my beliefs, as well. Consider yourself lucky others believe in your freedom.