The Smoking Christian
How to Straddle a Fence
So I would like to attempt some clarification on where we all could improve our performance being citizens of America. Some of these principals would naturally extend to the Global community. I will be the first to admit I could spend a little more time making points and positions crystal clear. There are very fair criticisms being launched by dead center moderates, many stating over use of rhetorical force in place of educated explanations and personally applicable rationales. Having said that, as grown ups we must recognize our own mental limitations in grasping ideas diametrically opposed to our own. For example I will state why I am for explicit limited gun control.
As we stand, drug dealers, criminals, low lives, anti-weapons advocates and specific government figures do not want me to have a firearm. As long as evil people exist, ones whom wish to do harm, attempt harm, take from my family, limit my freedom to think, speak, act and operate, I want a firearm as a statement. My statement is I have no intention to use my firearm as long as you do not act to harm me, my family, limit me, steal from me (legally or illegally), look to enslave me or my family and do not force me to submit to a state power. Read carefully, I acknowledge rules and the need to follow rules for rational behavior and operation that also does not impede other citizens. My lawfully owning a firearm does not in any way limit the freedoms and decisions other citizens partake in. If citizens are required that they be refused ownership of self-defensive weapons, then I want all government powers to be stripped of weapons. It is very simple, if you believe a government needs weapons to protect from hostile forces, then citizens need weapons to protect against hostile forces. By stating you believe governments should have a defense network, you admit there are entities that exist to enslave, conquer and dominate. If citizens have no way of keeping the power of an armed government in check, then there is nothing the unarmed citizens can do against a government that wishes to enforce all its will. You will have to admit in this scenario, the government places itself above the law it enforces. I have said this before, so let me make this next statement crystal clear…I believe without a shadow of a doubt that had one half of the Jews being rounded up in Germany, Poland and France known what was going to happen to them, AND had they access to rifles, I seriously doubt 6 million Jews would have needlessly perished. You are free to disagree with me, but you cannot refute my critical thinking, you can only state your own deep belief and rational for the opposite view.
Okay, so Humpty Dumpty made a far better go of wall sitting than I ever could, nor would I entrust all of the Kings Republicans or all the Kings Democrats to put me back together again. FEMA couldn’t find me with NORAD’s help, however I would bet Rupert and Verizon already know where I am sitting in my own home. Now that I have you reading deeper into this, guns are just a warm up…
Now if you will allow me, I am about to make a radically outlandish case of rhetorical device and analogy. In a previous hub I explored the world of tobacco users and how they are demonized compared to alcoholics who are wrapped in sympathy. My best efforts to unlock the political make up of anti-smokers uncovered a slant toward left leaning believers. Furthermore, Libertarians are pretty much governed by moderation in all things as long as there is a limited government at the center. This naturally allowed me to substitute anti-smoking campaigns in place of anti-religiosity campaigns. As ugly as it looks, these two as viewed from the left are remarkably similar;
Religion is seen by the anti-religious as a mental impairment, one in need of further educating to eradicate; so is smoking. Religion practiced is seen as intrusive, offensive and harmful to society, exactly the same position held by anti-smokers. All religion is under extreme pressure to be removed from all government buildings and symbols removed from public places. Anti-smokers already won in obtaining smoke free environments, and designated smoking only zones; the religious would call that a church. Do you follow me? Big religion is demonized as controlling republicans and conservatives in government. Big tobacco lobbies are demonized as controlling republicans and conservatives in government. As a reminder, I do not smoke, I hate it, but I will defend those who choose to light up. Tobacco companies are legislated against to make sure they cannot promote, advertise or illicit sales to minors; God has been pulled out of schools and prayer is not allowed in class. In some states, Christians are beginning to see the first real signs of persecution; specific sections of the Bible are being reviewed as hate speech and pastors eventually will not be allowed to teach from those sections in public (Bill S.909 should be read for future reference, however it is dormant). Smoking is seen as the leading non-communicable epidemic, killing millions every year according to the World Health Organization. Anti-theists believe the same is true for Christianity and Islam. It’s a beginning to a never ending campaign to eradicate religion. Now for the rhetorical part; very soon Christians will be limited to preaching to smokers in an evangelizing smoking section only; 50 feet away from any buildings of course.
“What’s your point?”
My point is if you look carefully, smoking has been on a path to criminality for a very long time. Government and the citizens perpetrating harsh anti-smoking policies are working to marginalize anyone who would even think about lighting up a cigarette (yet not a joint). Smokers are stigmatized where only the truly addicted cannot help themselves. No anti-smoker cares that a casual smoker can be just as responsible as a casual alcoholic consumer. Frighteningly similar, Christianity is being marginalized in many of the same ways. There are endless lawsuits brought on to limit the power of believers, where they can practice, what they can say and what symbols they erect where. If you are honest, you will see the uncanny resemblance.
Christians and Muslims, wake up, our history has a bad reputation to rebuild. All of the good we’ve ever done is masked and glossed over because of sinful men and women. Be mindful of why we are seen the way we are. We must step away from emotional arguments and hearken back to teaching with facts and analogous themes. I know and appreciate that most of you understand this, we can always use friendly reminders; I do.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate true dialogue.
Sources;
http://www.who.int/tobacco/en/
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s909/show
http://www.aclu-sc.org/releases/view/100354
