The Golden Rule and the Masochist

Theocratic states have blood on their hands.  Christian Crusades, Jewish conquest of Canaan, and the contemporary Islamic conflict in the Middle East are just a few of a very long list of religious sanctioned violence.  Theocracies are not alone; secular atheist states are familiar with atrocity, as well.  The last century witnessed godless dictators of fascist and communist countries kill 242 million of their own people.  The concurrent theme between the theocratic state and the secular atheist state is the state and its use of force to progress an ideology.  Both atheist and theist must come together and find common ground if they are to subdue the state.  

Religions share the theme of love, commonly referred to as the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated.  This concept is not exclusive to religions.  Atheists also see value in treating others the way they in turn would like to be treated.  The Golden Rule operates on the assumption, however, that everybody cares for their own well-being.  The masochist has no place in this model.  These individuals are insecure self-haters with self-destructive personalities and could care less about those around them.  The Golden Rule means nothing to them.  They seek to dominate others and there is no better means to satisfy their desire than through governmental force.  With such power at their disposal liberty is freely molested.  Citizens are spied on, their income stolen and arms confiscated.  They are told who they are permitted to marry and who is to educate their children.  The hatred within these masochists knows no bounds, going so far as to justify and encourage the murder of their unborn children.

“What moral system should government follow? The same one individuals follow. Do not steal. Do not murder. Do not bear false witness. Do not covet. Do not foster vice. If governments would merely follow the moral law that all religions recognize, we would live in a world of peace, prosperity and freedom. The system is called classical liberalism. Liberty is not complicated.” – Ron Paul, Liberty Defined

In order to stop government from taking your liberty we must first stop trying to take it from each other.  You see, there is a little masochist in all of us.  Search within.  Find him.  Subdue him before he rears his ugly head and strikes another.