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Free Rain
I applaud your assertion of freedom, but also question it (constructively). You state that you are politically a socialist, but have you heard the assertion that socialism is nothing more than the attempt to codify Christian values (made by either Tillich or Camus, I can't remember)? Although expressly atheist, many have noted the congruence between the equality of souls of Christianity, and the dictatorship of the Proletariat of socialism. As a practical matter, let's look at human procreation. A socialist (I can't remember who) stated that only a Capitalist society would condone abortion as if every human life were not valued and welcome. I take this to mean that the socialist will grant the same material support to all. So how is this to be done, and who is to do it? That is, when there is not enough arable land to produce enough food for the human population, and when there is not enough potable water for them either, how will all the people be supported equally? Who will be responsible for doing this? Although malnutrition is presently a political problem rather than a resources problem, that situation will change, and already water supplies are being stretched very thin. Would you support coercive government policies limiting family size? Would you want to be a "public servant" enforcing those policies and responsible for resource management? How would you decide as between the haves and the have nots?What will your status be upon your ultimate failure, if such is the case, as appears inevitable? It is my opinion that the current shift towards the Christian Right has to do with avoidance of these kinds of questions. These folk point out that the dire predictions of Malthus or the Club of Rome have never come true and prefer to take refuge in the notion of Divine Providence. They are, I think, attempting to defend themselves by hogging resources through the exercise of power/wealth and refuse to see that their actions indirectly create the very conditions they deny exist. As an individual with the right to survive and prosper, how do you address such questions?
posted by
Able_Ergot
on January 15, 2004 at 4:10 PM
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