Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!wuarchive!ukma!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: BINDNER@auvm.auvm.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Imposing Christian morality on nonbelievers Message-ID: Date: 14 Feb 91 12:17:54 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: The American University - University Computing Center Lines: 45 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Group, Imposed moral behavior is coercion, not moral behavior (which must come from a free conscience, the same way belief must). In a free society (such as ours) the ideal is for law to protect the innocent against violence. To go beyond this invites tyranny by the majority against the individual and the minority. Being Christian does not prevent a society from practicing tyranny (religious extremism is among the worst kinds and invites God's most severe punishments). Examples of such tyranny are the crusades, the conversion of Gaul by the sword, the Inquisition, the religious wars of the early modern age, the Isalmic revolution in Iran, the persecution of Arabs in Isreal, violence in India and Pakistan, the Pogroms of Russia and Eastern Europe, the Holocost. All of these persecuters felt empowered by God to commit these acts. I don't think God likes his name used by these people for hate. The reason we have a free (and yes, secular) society is to avoid these extremes. Though we don't always live up to the ideal (sodomy laws - WITHIN MARRAIGE, Know Nothing Party against Catholics) we have come the closest so far. Remember, the persecutions came about because the state religion of Rome felt threatenned by the new Christianity. This after the Church had taught submission to civil authority (quite ironically). Considering what happenned after the quote I'd take it with a grain of salt and use it in the context of rendering unto Ceasar. Remember, Christ also said "put not your faith in princes." The idea of forcing moral behavior on non-believers is anathema to Christ. He even objected to the Pharasee party who did it in a religious context, for "the letter of the law killith, the spirit givith life." The purpose of a moral life is not to get into heaven, but to LIVE HAPPILY ON EARTH. For remember, Christ said "MY YOLK IS EASY, AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT." Keeping the commandments is a guide to avoid experiencing pain, and causing pain to others. To assure ones self a place in heaven one must go farther than simple morality. If you're really serious about holiness sell all that you have and follow Him. Forsake material excess and spend your life doing his work among sinners. Then you can be satisfied. Until then, don't impose your morality on others. If you wish to save them, do it through example. Show them that the moral life produces happiness on earth. You may lead them to Christ in this way. Michael P.S. On the post about not renting to fornicators. In many juridictions fornication is an illegal activity. Most leases are broken by conducting unlawful behavior. However, to not rent for this reason is to do the work of Ceasar, not of Christ. Christ would probably rent the room.