My Faith and My Politics
If you look at my relatively libertarian politics and you haven't known me for a long time, you might presume that I am secular and personally libertarian in my own conduct. If you look at my strict Christian beliefs without seeing my politics, on the other hand, you might presume that I am on the Christian Right. Well, I break such stereotypes and frankly I wish that such stereotypes didn't exist. My theological beliefs are these. I believe in the Nicene Creed, in the real potential for eternal (*)(*)(*)(*)ation, in purgatory as well as heaven and hell and I believe in consubstantiation (the co-existence of the bread and wine and Christ's body and blood). My moral theology is even stricter. I oppose all recreational use of intoxicants, suicide, smoking and fornication. Moreover, I believe that any deliberate carnal thoughts outside marriage are immoral, and I think that deliberate carnal thoughts in marriage are justified only with the sole intent of procreation. I think that the penalty for any unrepented sin is eternal (*)(*)(*)(*)ation. I also pray to the Christian God many times every day and I repent for all sins that I have committed, and it is my sincere intent to avoid sin.
However, I do not think that I have the right to enforce my beliefs on others. Should I, for example, advocate the government finding some way of reading our thoughts to ensure their moral purity? I also don't consider all or even most of the current administration's actions to be ethical, so if, as a Christian, I am supposed to be a supporter of George W. Bush, you can count me out of another stereotype. What I want to understand is first, whether there is significant truth to these stereotypes and second, if there is, why I am expected to support enforcing my full moral code through the government? I appreciate all replies. Thank you very much.
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"I am a Tory Anarchist. I should like every one to go about doing just as he pleased- short of altering any of the things to which I have grown accustomed." (Max Beerbohm)
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