Why do you think the Christian community is going to hate you or stone you?
You are not the first and not the last one to spread atheist thoughts (most famous at the moment probably Richard Dawkins, if that name tells you something).
The ones who are not faithful will agree with you, and the Christians won´t, and that´s that. No reason to hate anyone.
The key to this issue, for me, is that all the sharing was voluntary, done by willing participants. Those that were not yet willing to share were protected by the law: "Thou shalt not steal." Their belongings and property and lands were safe, even _inside_ the community. (As you pointed out from Acts 5:4.) In fact, they were safe _especially_ inside the community. Outside the community, their goods and property were often seized simply by reason of being a part of that community. And they did not resist. They simply moved on (Acts 8:1-3).
And so the change was internal first, and as the change continued, it showed itself in outward acts. Acts such as not claiming that one's property was one's own, and as in selling and sharing with those in need.
So I don't believe that "Thou shalt not steal" will be rendered obsolete by the external invalidation of property, but (if it is possible to say so), it would be rendered "obsolete" by the very nature of the transactions: transactions initiated in the generous giver, gladly, willingly, and in love. And giving and receiving charity is not theft.
I think people need to be inspired toward such sharing and trustful living, otherwise they probably won't think it is possible. And they need to know that who or what they trust in can provide for them in times of need. Government has a shakey track record, but so has the average man. It takes a truly solid trust for a man to sell his stuff and give it away, with no fear for his future wellbeing. And I think that trust in man, or in systems, or even in government, for such things, is misplaced.
But the law is still valid (Thou shalt not steal), and it is government's job to uphold that law. For what else will stop the violent and coercive tendencies of man, either to appropriate for himself selfishly, or to try to create some utopia for the good of many by force?
(I admit that government doesn't always uphold this law justly, but that doesn't invalidate their responsibility.)
Every man deserves the freedom to decide for himself whether to join the generous community. The law protects that freedom.
And so there are 3 levels as I see it: injustice, justice, and love. Injustice is to be stopped by just government. Justice is the minimum state that man is to live in. And trust and love is the better state that we should be seeking.
Don't know, but Philip Bliss, who penned Almost Persuaded, Hallelujah, What a Saviour!, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Wonderful Words of Life, and the tune for Horatio Spafford's It Is Well with My Soul, was possibly _born_ in Rome, PA. Wikipedia says, "Philip Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania (although possibly in Rome, PA) in a log cabin."
2) What is the name of the male singer who appears in the Rihanna's new music video "Stay"?
Wikipedia again: "The song's music video, directed by Sophie Muller, depicts Rihanna naked in a bathtub filled with cloudy water, while Mikky Ekko performs in a separate bathroom. Critics likened the vulnerability and raw emotion in the video to the song itself."
3) Name of song and artist with lyrics "ride your bicycle"
Hey Heather, hope you got the book I sent, will be writing soon. Rich
Thor Heyerdahl (October 6, 1914, Larvik, Norway – April 18, 2002, Colla Micheri, Italy) was a Norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a background in zoology and geography. He became notable for his Kon-Tiki expedition, in which he sailed 8,000 km (5,000 mi) across the Pacific Ocean in a self-built raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947. The expedition was designed to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures.
There's another blog I follow and I wanted to send the blogger this post because one of his posts reminded me of yours. Would I be able to copy this and send it to him?
I just read your appealing article and I appreciate your calmness when writing this and not letting go your indignation and feelings of revolt you surely must have. I agree fully that inmates should be treated in a human way! I would say keep courage and don't give up the fight for more rights for prisoners. A lot of people think the same way, even if not everybody. I also agree things should be better, not only 'in there' but also 'out there'!
RSS
You are not the first and not the last one to spread atheist thoughts (most famous at the moment probably Richard Dawkins, if that name tells you something).
The ones who are not faithful will agree with you, and the Christians won´t, and that´s that.
No reason to hate anyone.
Are you sure they´d share your opinion?
My impression is that a majority of the American population would find her comments completely ok....?
Thanks for your detailed response!
The key to this issue, for me, is that all the sharing was voluntary, done by willing participants. Those that were not yet willing to share were protected by the law: "Thou shalt not steal." Their belongings and property and lands were safe, even _inside_ the community. (As you pointed out from Acts 5:4.) In fact, they were safe _especially_ inside the community. Outside the community, their goods and property were often seized simply by reason of being a part of that community. And they did not resist. They simply moved on (Acts 8:1-3).
And so the change was internal first, and as the change continued, it showed itself in outward acts. Acts such as not claiming that one's property was one's own, and as in selling and sharing with those in need.
So I don't believe that "Thou shalt not steal" will be rendered obsolete by the external invalidation of property, but (if it is possible to say so), it would be rendered "obsolete" by the very nature of the transactions: transactions initiated in the generous giver, gladly, willingly, and in love. And giving and receiving charity is not theft.
I think people need to be inspired toward such sharing and trustful living, otherwise they probably won't think it is possible. And they need to know that who or what they trust in can provide for them in times of need. Government has a shakey track record, but so has the average man. It takes a truly solid trust for a man to sell his stuff and give it away, with no fear for his future wellbeing. And I think that trust in man, or in systems, or even in government, for such things, is misplaced.
But the law is still valid (Thou shalt not steal), and it is government's job to uphold that law. For what else will stop the violent and coercive tendencies of man, either to appropriate for himself selfishly, or to try to create some utopia for the good of many by force?
(I admit that government doesn't always uphold this law justly, but that doesn't invalidate their responsibility.)
Every man deserves the freedom to decide for himself whether to join the generous community. The law protects that freedom.
And so there are 3 levels as I see it: injustice, justice, and love. Injustice is to be stopped by just government. Justice is the minimum state that man is to live in. And trust and love is the better state that we should be seeking.
Sincerely,
Chris
1) Baptist hymn writer buried in Rome, PA.
Don't know, but Philip Bliss, who penned Almost Persuaded, Hallelujah, What a Saviour!, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Wonderful Words of Life, and the tune for Horatio Spafford's It Is Well with My Soul, was possibly _born_ in Rome, PA. Wikipedia says, "Philip Bliss was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania (although possibly in Rome, PA) in a log cabin."
2) What is the name of the male singer who appears in the Rihanna's new music video "Stay"?
Wikipedia again: "The song's music video, directed by Sophie Muller, depicts Rihanna naked in a bathtub filled with cloudy water, while Mikky Ekko performs in a separate bathroom. Critics likened the vulnerability and raw emotion in the video to the song itself."
3) Name of song and artist with lyrics "ride your bicycle"
Skylar Grey
C'mon Let Me Ride
Rich
Thor Heyerdahl (October 6, 1914, Larvik, Norway – April 18, 2002, Colla Micheri, Italy) was a Norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a background in zoology and geography. He became notable for his Kon-Tiki expedition, in which he sailed 8,000 km (5,000 mi) across the Pacific Ocean in a self-built raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947. The expedition was designed to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures.
There's another blog I follow and I wanted to send the blogger this post because one of his posts reminded me of yours. Would I be able to copy this and send it to him?
Thanks!
Susan
Thanks for sharing this appealing story with us. I'll pray for you as well as for everybody implicated in it.
Take care,
little_pilgrim