You Only Own That Which You Can Defend
As something of a survivalist, this is a mantra I find often repeated while discussing “preps”. It is the idea that unless you are able to ward off those who would steal your survival goods, you never really owned them in the first place. This is why finding a survivalist who doesn’t own a gun is a bit like finding a carpenter who doesn’t own a hammer.
The idea that we are all individually responsible for the defense of all the things which we hold dear is one that can overwhelm a person. Our family, our homes, our personal belongings … our liberty? I believe this concept applies equally well to the rights of the American people. This is why the framers saw fit to add the second amendment as well as their numerous mentions of the militia. They understood this principle. They did all they could to ensure that future generations would have the needed tools to fight off tyranny, be it foreign or domestic.
But the founders either overlooked one important factor or maybe there was just no solution to the problem. As our population grows further and further from the revolution which founded this nation, the people have lost touch with the value of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Much the same as a 16 year old receiving a brand new Mercedes for her birthday, we have become detached from the cost that was paid for our liberties and consequently are often found lacking in our care and protection of our great gift. The American people need to retake their post and resume their responsibilities as the “4th check and balance”.
Being “able to defend” and “willing to defend” are two very different things though. We have been a nation of gun owners for over 230 years and in that time we have lost countless liberties while doing little more than watching as government grew all around us. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time we stop being spectators and start being citizens. The second amendment isn’t about going to the rifle range on Sundays and militia isn’t about wearing camouflaged clothes.
Seek out tactical firearms training. Equip yourself with the best firepower you can afford and a few thousand rounds for those guns. Get your concealed carry permit, get it now! They’re not getting any easier to get. Make friends with other like-minded people and partake in group training activities. I sincerely pray that we’ll never have to put any of these things into action. However, if the news is any indicator, that’s not a bet I’d want to take. For the sake of your family, friends and this republic, be prepared to be a patriot, be prepared to defend that which is yours.
“But I am perplexed by anybody who claims absolute confidence in something that requires faith to believe.”
It is quite an amazing thing ain’t it. I used to feel the same. So I actually tried to find out rather than give up and not believe in anything. So, it is possible to “know the truth”. You just have to really want to look for it. Everyone has the choice.
Thanks for the good discussion.
Keenan:
I do not judge you or anyone else for their religious beliefs. My point was simple … your “truth” is based on your faith. Your version of truth may actually be the truth, I don’t pretend to know. What concerns me is when other people claim to know the truth about ANY subject in the absence of factual evidence. The term “Conspiracy theory” comes to mind. There are a ton of people who claim to know the “truth” about 9/11, the reality is that they believe in a particular version of the events … a far cry from being able to prove it true.
Again, sometimes there is no evidence to support something that turns out to actually be the truth, therefore, I do not claim that your religious beliefs are wrong. But I am perplexed by anybody who claims absolute confidence in something that requires faith to believe.
Honestly, I think no less of highly religious people than I do of everyone else. I also do not think that being religious and being a critical thinker are mutually exclusive.
I am not interested in an argument Dan. I am absolutely confident the Bible is true regardless what you think about it. I was just pointing out that you OBVIOUSLY don’t believe the Bible, therefore you don’t have any reason to follow what it says. You can do your own thing, its your free choice. There was no judgment in my statement, I was pointing out the obvious by what you write and say on the radio. If you felt judged by what I said… that didn’t come from me. I am not sure where the hostility towards my beliefs comes from when you don’t really know what I believe. If you are interested in finding out what I believe, I would be happy to share and explain (not here of course). If you want to debate it, I can do that to. If you would rather just categorize me in some stereo-type you have in your mind, think whatever you want, I am not concerned about people’s judgment of me. Just wanted to clear that up. Peace out.
JustThinking:
I do not care for religous debate as it inherently lends itself to arguments that have no winners. I prefer logic and reason to beliefs and faith. Faith is naturally opposite critical thought, as a person may believe anything with absolutely zero evidence. That said, I do have my beliefs about God and no, they are not the same as yours.
With regard to your position on self defense, do what you want or whatever the Bible tells you to do. That is your decision. My decision is to defend my family. I will not watch them suffer because of some words on paper. YOU choose to believe those words, I do not.
Imagine for one moment that you are completely wrong about what God wants you to do and that I am completely right. What then? You cannot know with any level of certainty what God would do, no matter what the Bible says. Nor can I. We all play from the gut. You can condemn me for my positions … I do not share your religion. You can condemn me for my actions … I do not share your opinions. I would not deny your right to those views but I do question your judgement.
Keenan:
The hinge point of your entire argument is that the Bible is, in fact, the word of God. Your religious beliefs do not necessarily constitute truth, especially when it cannot be verified.
“I do not pretend to know what God would do. I am not God, nor are you.”
Actually, He says what He would do and what we should do right in His book. You just don’t believe it. Simple really.
“It is OK to be religious and place your faith in God, it is another issue altogether when you allow a book to replace critical thought.”
Really Dan?
Where exactly do you get your views? From your own mind, from pop culture, from TV; from where? Having “faith” in God but not doing what He says is not faith at all. That’s like having faith in a puddle of water, what good is it? Faith means that you sincerely believe something is true and therefore you follow that without absolute certainty but you believe as if so. Faith is the gap between probability and certainty. If your faith is in a god that you make up in your own mind, then your faith is really in yourself alone and is Meaningless. The justice and judgment of your own life will not be left to you, but to your Creator. If you don’t believe that, and just hope it all turns out alright, then I pity you and pray that you may wake up one day.
For the record, my faith is not blind faith in something unreasonable. Like believing in alien abductions because someone told me about it. Or believing in reincarnation because it sounds nice. Or, believing in whatever I think is right because it suits me. Rather, my faith comes from studying the various religions, critically challenging their claims and finding out the most reasonable faith is Christianity rooted in the Bible. Once I realized that, I started learning what it teaches and finding out, when put into practice, the truth of it holds up to real life. My problem was, a. I was ignorant, and b. I wanted to be my own god. That’s what I was cured from.
What do you believe in, a self-created mythical god? What truth or evidence outside of your own mind do you have for such a god? Ask these questions, and you will start to critically think about your own ideas and realize they are weak. This applies to all people, not you in particular. This is what happened to me; and I found out an amazing truth I did not know before.
Addressing the defense of the innocent, the Bible clearly teaches that it is FAR MORE IMPORTANT to defend others rather than yourself. Trusting in God for yourself is sufficient, He may send others to help you in a time of need, or maybe you will suffer and/ or die. So? If you believe the Bible, those things won’t worry you. You trust in God through Jesus as the Bible teaches, and your own life is not as important as you once thought. This is not an easy ethic to live out, but it is quite contrary to the normal selfish ideas of man-made religions. A selfless life. Living to help others and not yourself. Hmm… that alone should give one pause as to its credibility.
So, with all respect, before you criticize another persons faith, or dismiss a 2000 year old book as lacking critical thought… you should try reading it.
Here’s a one from that goofy book you should consider:
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” Proverbs 12:15
JustThinking
I do not pretend to know what God would do. I am not God, nor are you. My sense of reason tells me that if one believes, as I do, that our rights come from our Creator, then it only follows that it is our responsibility to defend those rights. Does your sense of reason dictate that we merely watch as a child is murdered? Our deepest sense of morality demands that we step in to defend that child’s right to life. If it is “religiously acceptable” to defend that child’s life then why not our own?
It is OK to be religious and place your faith in God, it is another issue altogether when you allow a book to replace critical thought.
Thanks for the comment, but I’m not sure what this particular author (Dan Travis)thinks of religion. He is a political/secular contributor from I can tell. Thanks for looking out. I am a big fan of the show “Just Thinking”
Does this jive with your Christian views and biblical teaching? I say this to you because you call yourself a Christian. Non-christians can do what they want; they rule their own lives. But this sort of “hate your enemy, be ready to fight, and shoot those who take from you” doesn’t sound at all like, “27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” – Luke 6:27-30
Just Thinking…