Rejecting the Religion of Statism

October 14, 2009 by Dale Everett
Filed under: Anarchy in Your Head, Hypocrisy, Personal Freedom, Rant, Video

In the video below I explain my motives for not going along quietly with a simple citation and paying the fine. Statism is a religion that I simply do not have faith in and those of us who feel that way need to come out of the closet and stop pretending that we do in order to fit in and avoid conflict.

Lpviper

Peace be with you, Dale
PaulO

I agree.

The faith people place in "the law" is astounding.

Another thing bothers me is how people who call themselves Christians often place more weight on manmade law than God's law when dealing with peaceful human beings. This is most obvious when cops and judges take aggressive action against people for reasons they personally disagree with. Clearly they are attempting to serve two authorities, and, as evidenced by their words and actions, ultimately God is not their master.
John

I bet you dont have a problem with the state when they rescue you from a natural disaster, from a car accident…you are a joke.

Take the benefits from the state but dont accept any of the restrictions necessary with an organized society. From the beginning of time society has developed rules and guidelines and put people in place to enforce those rules. Oh, I know…the conspiracy started in 1000 BC and the anthropologists have been covering it up too. After all, they are just part of the govt. machine.
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

John, if I were to extort money from you on a regular basis, and threaten you in order to exert control over your personal life (say, throw you in prison if you sell orchids without my permission, as government men did recently to one elderly couple), but then I promise to help out if you're in an accident, does that make it all ok?

Participants in "The State" are not magically exempt from moral law. Examine how those actions would stand up if they were done by other individuals, and it's obvious how weak the excuses are.

From the beginning of time there has been slavery too. In fact, your excuses sound a lot like this guy's:

"The institution of domestic slavery exists over far the greater portion of the inhabited earth. Until within a very few centuries, it may be said to have existed over the whole earth —at least in all those portions of it which had made any advances towards civilization. We might safely conclude then, that it is deeply founded in the nature of man and the exigencies of human society."

– pro-slavery apologist William Harper, in 1852

Well, I give up then, I guess we'll always have slavery. Sure, it may be morally unsound, but it's essential to society!

You're right that there are rules for moral human interaction, John, it's called natural law. Natural law says you don't harm other people — assault, theft, murder, rape, arson, etc, would be violations of the natural law, for example. Members of the government are the biggest violators of natural law around — they violate it with every tax receipt, and every time they throw someone in a cage for victim-less crimes like selling orchids, drinking unpasteurized milk, or "violating" one of the reams of arbitrary and capricious laws they have made up out of nothing.

There are laws governing appropriate behavior in society, and "government" is the criminal.
Josh

Restrictions necessary? A friend of mine is facing prison time after the fire department responded to a fire in his apartment building, noticed his lowly three plants and got the police involved. Protecting and serving right? But of course you believe a completely harmless, peaceful man should go to prison for growing a weed for his own personal use. If so, YOU are the joke.

Dale is absolutely right in calling statism out as a religion, just as Nietzsche did decades ago. Americans were taught for decades that the Russians were the most evil people on the planet because they:

harassed (and often abducted) their citizens over petty grievances

made it woefully impossible (even illegal) to operate a private, for-profit enterprise

silenced dissenting voices with bullets and batons instead of reason

glorified the rulers of the state as deities, paragons of virtue above any mere mortal.

encouraged and rewarded citizens for snitching on their neighbors.

encouraged and rewarded children for snitching on their parents.

pre-emptive, occupational wars

sacrifice of personal goals and liberty for the sake of the "collective"

is any of this sounding familiar to you? You want to talk about respecting veterans? How many American servicemen (and women) died in VIETNAM ALONE fighting this bullshit? And here it is, washing over America like a crimson, millfoil infested tide.
profreedom

"I bet you dont have a problem with the state when they rescue you from a natural disaster, from a car accident…you are a joke.

" That could be done by private companies that people pay for on a voluntary bases.
Lpviper

Good Morning John,

I must ask, (1)which 'restrictions' do you personally consider 'necessary' and for what reasons? (2) Which restrictions are you not in favor of, if any?

(3)What specific reason do you have for advocating the imprisonment or 'fining' of people who have done no harm to another? (4) Who is the victim? (5)Are YOU a victim of Dale's failure to have his car inspected 'on time'?

(6) What punishment do you wish to see enacted on Dale for his 'crime'? (7) Why?

I hate to add this on at the end because it seems confrontational, and probably is.

But why don't you have a go at actually answering the questions I have posed above? I'll even go back and number them to make it easier.

Thanks

Andy
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

I should say, most of the criminals who violate natural law are members of government …

"government" is just a collection of individuals.
Josh

government is a collection of individuals forcing their will upon others. important distinction.
wow

religion? you idiot!
Lpviper

qualify your statement

'you idiot'
http://www.soundclick.com/thinkliberty thinkliberty

Sounds like John and WOW are having a crisis in faith.
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

As a person who believes in a different god, wow, I have to say, I don't think just calling people who question my faith, "idiots" is usually a good idea .

Perhaps you should explain why you believe in these supreme beings called legisatres — or is it legalslators (am I getting that right?) who, as I understand it, have the supreme power to create the definition of right and wrong, moral and immoral. You have a hierarchy of deities, who each have control over the definition of moral behavior for a particular geographic area, right?

Plus, you have other lesser dieties, who can also define, according to their great and unquestionable will, what morality is on particular subjects, right? Like, you have a god of food, a god of medicine, god of transportation, god of money, god of education, god of communications, etc. These are called admenistrators, or burocats? You'll really have to forgive me if I got the spelling wrong on some of these, you have an awful lot of gods.
iawai

When all you can do is call someone a "fool" or "idiot", without being able to even articulate some rationale, the subject of your criticism is probably right.
JJ

Great video Dale! Keep 'em coming!
iawai

Perhaps you should explain why you believe in these supreme beings called legisatres — or is it legalslators (am I getting that right?) who, as I understand it, have the supreme power to create the definition of right and wrong, moral and immoral. You have a hierarchy of deities, who each have control over the definition of moral behavior for a particular geographic area, right?

Plus, you have other lesser dieties, who can also define, according to their great and unquestionable will, what morality is on particular subjects, right? Like, you have a god of food, a god of medicine, god of transportation, god of money, god of education, god of communications, etc. These are called admenistrators, or burocats? You’ll really have to forgive me if I got the spelling wrong on some of these, you have an awful lot of gods.

bureaucrats = burro-cats = ass-pussies.

I think that's the right etymology for that word.
John

Well, if the state is like a religion…then I sure hope they have a crusade soon and rid this state of you bufons and ones like you.

You free state clowns are so counter productive to what we stand for and love in our state that we woe the day you ever came here. Go away, leave, never come back.
Lpviper

See, John, I even numbered the questions and you still couldn't answer.

Either put up some real answers or go lay down

You don't have an argument, just fear based caterwauling.

So either try THINKING or go away

Jerk
Tumbleweed

Well spoken, Dale.
John

Well, that was about the response I expected with little provocation…name calling. I thought you guys had a higher ground…moral standing…patience to push a cause…I know police officers who are more tolerant to a little poke than you are. Yes, they work in Keene.

Oh, by the way, I have no fear of our state or the people that police it. Fear is only necessary if you have done something that requires you to be afraid of retribution.

I certainly have no fear of you or your group as I am well prepared to defend my state, religion, family, etc.

Just shows that your "movement" has about the same value as the movement I have into the toilet every morning.

Support law enforcement!

Support the city government!

Support the great State of NH!

Have a great time in our state. Till we drive you out. Goodnight all….
Lpviper

Why don't you provide a substantive answer to a single question that is posed to you?

Because you don't have any answers!

Because you know your 'position' is morally wrong!

And after I was polite and patient and patient and polite, only to be ignored by you and to be shown another of your insulting, substanceless attacks on liberty loving people, THEN I lashed out at you, you arrogant, sanctimonious, stupid pile of statist SHIT!

Fuck You, you can't answer any of my questions because you are a brainwashed piece of shit who can't think for himself!

And don't bother blaming Keeniacs for my rant, because I live in Michigan, you non thinking, soulless bastard!

That good enough for you? Got enough ammo for another brainless shitwhistle attack, you turd?

Refer to my post above and answer my 7 questions, if you dare, but of course you don't because the true answers damn your little 'civic duty' mindset to the shitcan, where it belongs!

Any logical rebuttal?

Of course not, douchebag
John

Wow….what an angry person. It is a lot of fun to manipulate someone like you into angry outbursts, you are so easy to play.

I could answer your questions, no matter how badly worded, with the knowledge learned in a good christian life and my studies that gave me a degree in political science and in psych.

I choose instead to see how easy it was to send you over the edge. It is a lot of fun .

I hope you are not on the front lines of any actual field demonstartions or a lot of water spraying and mace will be directed at you and the poor souls behind you. Dont you think that the "authorities" would poke at you like I am, just to get you to show your true colors? Then they get to do what they do best…bust you!

If any of you "Keeniacs" truly believe in your cause and believe in civil, non-confrontational discussion, then you should disavow this kind of posting.

This is the kind of guy that starts riots out of peaceful marches. He will drive away any supporters that may be on the brink….

I do believe that many of you are involved in this because you really want to make a better place for all of us. It just seems that a person such as LPVIPER is not one for your ranks. With no tolerance for other ideas and an immediate response to attack he is not the face that should be put forth in any forum. Best of luck to all of you true believers in what you try to accomplish. I am sure we will all end up finding common ground and living together in peace and tolerance. That does not seem to be what LPVIPER wants.

I eagerly await your next cleverly worded response.

I hope it doesn't further degrade your cause.

By the way…what is your cause?
Lpviper

Answer the questions then, Mr. Smart.

I'm waiting
Lpviper

Personally, I don't want to live on your 'common ground', because it assuredly involves being enslaved to the state, which you will never give up because you are afraid of what will happen to you when Mommy Gubment is gone.

So attack me if you want, I don't care. I am sickened by your two faced bullshit, and clearly I don't care what others think of me or I would never have posted (above) what i really think of you.

Nobody else cares what I think either, jerk, they will do as they wish and live as free people and do it peacefully with or without me.

With that in mind, the seven questions are still posted above. Answer them if you are able. Otherwise, just post another retarded attack below this so we can be sure of what you are really all about, there, OK?

Thanks

Andy
Lpviper

I am standing with my arms crossed at the wrists waiting for the moderators to blow my violent ass off of here…

…

…

Oh, wait, I forgot, I'm not violent, I'm just allergic to douchebaggery.

Gives me Tourette's.

You wouldn't throw somebody with an illness out, would you?

LOL
Lpviper

Oh, crap I forgot to answer John's question!

Fair is fair, after all, right? Right!

John asked

'What is your cause?'

Answer: To live in any way I see fit, so long as I harm no one, and to respect the choices my neighbors make for their own lives, knowing that mutual respect and voluntary interactions are the way to a truly free and prosperous society.

Any other questions?
Lpviper

It is in the nature of men to rise against the injustice of which

they are the victims. When, therefore, plunder is organized by

law, for the profit of those who perpetrate it, all the plundered

classes tend, either by peaceful or revolutionary means, to enter

in some way into the manufacturing of laws. These classes,

according to the degree of enlightenment at which they have

arrived, may propose to themselves two very different ends, when

they thus attempt the attainment of their political rights; either

they may wish to put an end to lawful plunder, or they may desire

to take part in it.

Woe to the nation where this latter thought prevails amongst

the masses, at the moment when they, in their turn, seize upon the

legislative power!

Up to that time, lawful plunder has been exercised by the few

upon the many, as is the case in countries where the right of legislating

is confined to a few hands. But now it has become universal,

and the equilibrium is sought in universal plunder. The injustice

that society contains, instead of being rooted out of it, is

generalized. As soon as the injured classes have recovered their

political rights, their first thought is not to abolish plunder (this

would suppose them to possess enlightenment, which they cannot

have), but to organize against the other classes, and to their own

detriment, a system of reprisals—as if it was necessary, before the

reign of justice arrives, that all should undergo a cruel retribution—

some for their iniquity and some for their ignorance.

It would be impossible, therefore, to introduce into society a

greater change and a greater evil than this—the conversion of the

law into an instrument of plunder.

What would be the consequences of such a perversion? It

would require volumes to describe them all. We must content

ourselves with pointing out the most striking.

In the first place, it would efface from everybody’s conscience

the distinction between justice and injustice. No society can exist

unless the laws are respected to a certain degree, but the safest

way to make them respected is to make them respectable. When

law and morality are in contradiction to each other, the citizen

finds himself in the cruel alternative of either losing his moral

sense, or of losing his respect for the law—two evils of equal magnitude,

between which it would be difficult to choose.

It is so much in the nature of law to support justice that in the

minds of the masses they are one and the same. There is in all of

us a strong disposition to regard what is lawful as legitimate, so

much so that many falsely derive all justice from law. It is sufficient,

then, for the law to order and sanction plunder, that it may

appear to many consciences just and sacred. Slavery, protection,

and monopoly find defenders, not only in those who profit by

them, but in those who suffer by them. If you suggest a doubt as

to the morality of these institutions, it is said directly—“You are

a dangerous experimenter, a utopian, a theorist, a despiser of the

laws; you would shake the basis upon which society rests.”

-Fredric Bastiat, The Law, 1850
http://anarchyinyourhead.com dalebert

That's funny, John. LVPiper might be using some mean words to describe you but his posts aren't anywhere near as violent as yours with talk of crusades and intimidation and driving Free Staters out of town and such.

P.S. You sure are posting a lot about my video. Do you have a life? I never will understand people spending so much time on something they hate that they're so sure is never going to amount to anything.
Tumbleweed

John, manipulation works both ways. Are you so sure which side of the aquarium glass you're glued to that you feel 100 percent confident in poking your tongue at another? Most of the comments here revolve around liberty oriented sentiments. Do these same sorts of sentiments infringe upon you and your life adversely? Do these liberty minded ideals have a potential to victimize you or harm you? Serious questions.
Lpviper

Good luck, Tumbleweed. I even numbered my questions and he wouldn't answer them. He says he can, though, so maybe he will. I hope he does because I genuinely want to hear his answers.

Time will tell…
theKINGofKEENE

…LPVIPER: can i still pretend that you only live in, like, Vermont, maybe???…*I* know you're *ALL WOMAN*!…(see: #83934, above, :…"his posts"…///…"mutual respect…"voluntary interaction"…your words are like cotton candy worms on my brain…
Lpviper

Um, no.
AnAmazedReader

It's amazing how the videos posted on this site 1) almost always bring forth hosannas from those who have imbibed in the FreeKeene Kool-Aid, and 2) reveal to everyone outside that sad little tribe how emotionally-addled are its members. In this case, it only takes a minute or two of viewing before the words "Anxiety Disorder" come to mind. Quite sad, really.
Fred

Dale,

just learn to deal with it. All you others are text book cases of passive aggressive, deal with it.
John

Good observation Fred.
Josh

I only see active aggression by those who consider themselves the betters of all those around them. Apologists and cheerleaders for violence like John have little if anything of substantive value to offer to the discussion, Ann only has her usual smarmy condemnations of a strangers psychology.

Ann – I am a musician, artist, architecture student. I work for a living in the Keene community. I donate to the community kitchen whenever I can. I actively pick up trash on my travels about the city. I also smoke marijuana occasionally, encourage and support the 4:20 gatherings. I carry a firearm for my protection instead of relying on the police who will not be there to offer protection in the event I was so threatened to NEED a firearm. I hold mostly conservative values, allow others control of their own life and am an atheist. I was raised in an abusive, authoritarian household where I was once chased down the street with an axe. I listen to jazz, prog and metal and have a kitten. What is your analysis? Regret to inform you that the dynamism of human beings rarely conforms to your prejudices and presuppositions of their character. Stereotyping is a dead scene.

To John: for the edification of all, please employ your clearly superior political science degree to LPviper's questions. Your bleetings of "all hail law enforcement/the state/ city government" is an echoed cry of the old fascist states. You clearly have little if any respect for the rights of man, and are completely unwilling to allow peaceful people to live out their lives free of undue harassment. You demand others worship the state and its symbols as you do, wishing violence upon those who do not.

You of course would never do the shoving and shooting yourself, you are far too sophisticated for that, which is why you gladly fund the militant wing of your religion. And you have the nerve to call yourself a Christian to boot!? I see nothing "Christ-like" in the modern Christian. Shameless.

To Fred: Some people still have a sense of self-ownership and user defined morality. Learn to deal with it. What is "text book case" of PA, other than an insubstantial remark you've made? I'm not passive aggressive; I just have no qualms about being a prick to those who deserve it.
http://anarchyinyourhead.com dalebert

Fred, I think I'm dealing with it pretty well. Like I said, I do what I need to do to live my life in a world where those with power impose this religion on others under threats of violence. I told other people they should deal as well, but in the meantime, they should start being honest that they don't share this religion. They should be honest that they go along only to avoid violent repercussions from the crusading evangelists of this religion of statism.