Libertarianism vs Christianity

In the light of the recent Occupy movement protests (many members of which quote or otherwise use Jesus as their hero and role-model in fighting the greedy bankers) and prominent characters from the Christian world calling for more regulation of the financial industry (Archbishop of Canterbury) or the establishment of more powerful global economic institutions (The Holy See), one does start to ponder the question whether there is a political ideology (or economic order) that is intrinsically (anti-)Christian that all believers should embrace? True, many American Christians would automatically name Conservatism, while a substantial number of more liberal European followers of Christ would reject it because of its “lack of compassion and solidarity.” What about Libertarianism then? Is this radical free-market (often even anarchist) philosophy introduction of which would see the elimination of the Welfare State and public education, or legalization of hard drugs (to name a few) completely at odds with Christianity? Or could these two be reconciled? I will try to show that, yes, they can.

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The Ten Principles of a Free Society

ronpaulrevolution:

• Rights belong to individuals, not groups; they derive from our nature and can neither be granted nor taken away by government.

• All peaceful, voluntary economic and social associations are permitted; consent is the basis of the social and economic order.

• Justly acquired property is privately owned by individuals and voluntary groups, and this ownership cannot be arbitrarily voided by governments.

• Government may not redistribute private wealth or grant special privileges to any individual or group.

• Individuals are responsible for their own actions; government cannot and should not protect us from ourselves.

• Government may not claim the monopoly over a people’s money and governments must never engage in official counterfeiting, even in the name of macroeconomic stability.

• Aggressive wars, even when called preventative, and even when they pertain only to trade relations, are forbidden.

• Jury nullification, that is, the right of jurors to judge the law as well as the facts, is a right of the people and the courtroom norm.

• All forms of involuntary servitude are prohibited, not only slavery but also conscription, forced association, and forced welfare distribution.

• Government must obey the law that it expects other people to obey and thereby must never use force to mold behavior, manipulate social outcomes, manage the economy, or tell other countries how to behave.