Do you know why traditional Conservatives find Libertarianism so fundamentally repulsive? It's because they feel that Libertarianism rejects God and objective morality. While yes, this is a misconception of what the definition of Libertarianism really stands for (that man is free and should not be coerced), this judgement does have some truth to it. Libertarian culture often rejects the idea of God and universal morality, saying that "God is a religious invention made to oppress" and that "A man can sin if he want's to." While it is true that a man can sin if he chooses and that religion at times is tyrannical, Libertarians need to realize that ideally man should choose righteousness and that religion aids him in that quest. What Conservatives need to realize is that, despite reason, man has the ability to sin against even his own self interests; and that God obviously has not and will not trample upon this innate right. God damns no man, but man may damn himself by choosing evil over goodness. Here is what John Locke, "The Father of Classical Liberalism (Libertarianism)" actually addressed the matter of self-destruction in his Second Treatise of Government:
"Sec. 6. But though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a state of licence: though man in that state have an uncontroulable liberty to dispose of his person or possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself, or so much as any creature in his possession, but where some nobler use than its bare preservation calls for it. The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker; all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by his order, and about his business; they are his property, whose workmanship they are, made to last during his, not one another's pleasure: and being furnished with like faculties, sharing all in one community of nature, there cannot be supposed any such subordination among us, that may authorize us to destroy one another, as if we were made for one another's uses, as the inferior ranks of creatures are for our's. Every one, as he is bound to preserve himself, and not to quit his station wilfully, so by the like reason, when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind, and may not, unless it be to do justice on an offender, take away, or impair the life, or what tends to the preservation of the life, the liberty, health, limb, or goods of another."
Therefore, Libertarian, realize that while man is in a state of liberty, if he shall sin against nature, his fellow man, God, and reason, he shall lose his liberty. If any man pervert nature, he shall be subject to nature's punishing hand of pestilence and death. If any man harms his fellow, he shall become a prisoner of the law. If any man sins against his God, he shall be rendered to His jurisdiction. If any man offends reason, he will be cast into the depths of enslaving insanity. While a man is free to sin against all of these, he head better not unless he wants to impair his liberty. Libertarians need to realize this. Conservatives need to realize this. All need to realize this.
Furthermore, Conservative, realize that while evil is evil and good is good, man can choose between both, and make of himself as he will; righteous or wicked. Such is his right, and God respects it. However, no man is free from the consequences of his free choice, and every man is subject to the repercussion of his actions. If Libertarians were to realize this, and conservatives were to realize this, perhaps we can be once more called classical liberals together.
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"Sec. 6. But though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a state of licence: though man in that state have an uncontroulable liberty to dispose of his person or possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself, or so much as any creature in his possession, but where some nobler use than its bare preservation calls for it. The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker; all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by his order, and about his business; they are his property, whose workmanship they are, made to last during his, not one another's pleasure: and being furnished with like faculties, sharing all in one community of nature, there cannot be supposed any such subordination among us, that may authorize us to destroy one another, as if we were made for one another's uses, as the inferior ranks of creatures are for our's. Every one, as he is bound to preserve himself, and not to quit his station wilfully, so by the like reason, when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind, and may not, unless it be to do justice on an offender, take away, or impair the life, or what tends to the preservation of the life, the liberty, health, limb, or goods of another."
Therefore, Libertarian, realize that while man is in a state of liberty, if he shall sin against nature, his fellow man, God, and reason, he shall lose his liberty. If any man pervert nature, he shall be subject to nature's punishing hand of pestilence and death. If any man harms his fellow, he shall become a prisoner of the law. If any man sins against his God, he shall be rendered to His jurisdiction. If any man offends reason, he will be cast into the depths of enslaving insanity. While a man is free to sin against all of these, he head better not unless he wants to impair his liberty. Libertarians need to realize this. Conservatives need to realize this. All need to realize this.
Furthermore, Conservative, realize that while evil is evil and good is good, man can choose between both, and make of himself as he will; righteous or wicked. Such is his right, and God respects it. However, no man is free from the consequences of his free choice, and every man is subject to the repercussion of his actions. If Libertarians were to realize this, and conservatives were to realize this, perhaps we can be once more called classical liberals together.
If you like our posts please like us and comment below :)
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