People oftentimes make the case that the God of the Bible, Yahweh, doesn’t act according to His own moral principles. And I suppose that from an atheist’s perspective, in which Yahweh is actually a figment of the Jewish imagination, they would be correct: in two specific circumstances, one concerning the genocide of the Canaanites, and the other a pardoning of an adultress, He does seem to contradict His laws. But ironically, this very argument against the Jewish God’s lawful nature further proves His existence. (more…)
14. February 2011
9. February 2011
Privilege, equality, and law
Few can resist the emotional appeal of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. Somewhere, deep within the human soul, we long for a time when true equality can be found in human interaction, the day in which people will be judged by one another solely according to character. And oftentimes, at least in the West, those pursuing this ideal attempt to enforce it through what they define as perfect legal equality.
But if total equality under law were truly sought–meaning that no man would have a governmental privilege or power that another lacked–, what would become of those who administrate law? Would we strip the policeman of his license to necessary and lawful force? Would we give our war strategies to every member of the population, instead of only our military officials? Would the authority to enforce law be taken from the judge? The right to create law taken from the congressman? (more…)