Simon, my dear chap,Thank you for your response. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ richly and abundantly Bless you today.
You illustrate so well the continuing litany of contradictions. Firstly, there was the communist chap who insisted that the Bible was pro-communist. Then, there was the communist chap who insisted that the Bible was inherently anti-communist. Now you, apparently a communist chap, insist that the Bible is neither anti-communist nor anti-capitalist. But then, you surely don't forget to caveat that stance with the contradictory "built-in defence for the modern capitalist system" argument. Add to that, the capitalist who claimed that the Pilgrims were communists, plus objectivist Ayn Rand, who agrees with you in her anti-Biblical rantings, and we have a real consistent group here, don't we?
These examples only serve to further show that the Bible is indeed Eternal Truth. Man can't even be consistent (or honest) with himself, even when he holds similar ideologies. (Apart from God he really does have a difficult time getting his act together, doesn't he?)
Now, does God take away independent thought? I would argue that God gives you greater independence in your thought. Did any of you capitalists, communists, objectivists, et. al. uncover the the disinformation levied against the Pilgrims earlier up the chat page? (No, you blindly agreed) Do any of you take really independent stances on hard issues? (No, you simply parrot the party line, "comrade". Nothing new there.) At least Bible believers are skeptical at man's ways and in a very healthy manner, I might add. Those poor souls who place their trust in man's "isms" (communism, capitalism, et. al.) are sitting ducks for any con-artist who comes along with the latest gimmick and promises him "utopia". How na∩ve can they be?
I think Jesus said it best, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
Now, does the Bible teach us to be religious? Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did NOT teach us to be religious, instead He taught us to be Godly in His ways. See "God does not teach us to be religious" further down the chat page as it would be redundant here.
Your example of the Feudal State-Church is a good example of religiousness instead of Godliness. Clearly when man's ego overtakes God's Word, then abuses are sure to set in. I would argue that ALL churches are in need of CONTINUAL cleansing or they risk becoming one of man's "isms". That cleansing cannot come from the (flawed) mind of man but only from the Grace of God.
Interesting to note, America was first inhabited by settlers who escaped the European State-Churches and their abusive authority. Some of these groups were literally burned at the stake for their free preaching of the Gospel. The groups that arrived were Huguenots driven out of France, Pilgrims driven out of England, Reformers driven out of Holland, Mennonites and Amish driven out of Germany, Ana-Baptists and Calvinists driven out of all parts of Europe, and so on. These congregational churches were devoted to the free preaching of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and that preaching instilled true genius into America. (Independent thought, not state-run propoganda, wouldn't you agree?)
As a contrast to the free Gospel, "isms" (such as communism, capitalism, et. al.) are merely man-made religion. Examples: communist "great leaders" reverently worshipped; capitalistic entertainers reverently worshipped. (These are enslavement ideologies, aren't they?)
Does the Ten Commandments do our thinking for us? I'm glad that God has given us His Word, not to take away our thought or freedom, but to PROTECT us from our innate human evil. I'm glad He tells us not to lie, steal, murder, etc. because in the human world (especially in the world of man-made ideologies) these values are not apparent and cannot be taken for granted. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "Without the Ten Commandments, man would not know right from wrong". Indeed man isn't smart enough to figure it out on his own. Thank God we do have the Bible because it offers righteous freedom (Colossions 1:6-23).
Are Bible believers merely doped? I find this a most curious assertion. It is especially curious coming from a chap who, as his intellectual guiding, offers a statement by some rock and roll star who promotes widespread condescension and the cursing of his fellow man. That can only come from a tortured mind. (That's an indication of enslavement, isn't it?)
Now, if you think you are smart enough to go it alone without God, BE WARNED, you might just get what you ask for. Simon, PLEASE, you really don't want that.
May I humbly pray for you? Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to converse with this dear one. May You open his eyes to Your Holy Word and strengthen him in his resolve to truly act independently from his worldly trappings. Show him freedom in Your most Blessed Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Simon, dear friend, have a Blessed day and seek freedom in Jesus. Cheers.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
Robert M. Mitrocsak
