There is a perception, that because the libertarian idea is attractive to atheists, that therefore the idea is exclusive of Christians. I will attempt to argue to the contrary in a manner consistent with Libertarian principles. First, some non-controversial Christian concepts.

Christ works in and through people, via the Holy Spirit. Satan has limited power on Earth but his power is not as great as God’s infinite Power. We, as individuals are called to strive to be virtuous as spelled out in the Holy Bible, and as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. Christian teachings guide us toward spiritual salvation which, because of our imperfection, is possible only through Christ’s gift of forgiveness.

The libertarian idea is basically that each person should have the right to do with the fruit of his or her labor as he or she chooses, so long as that does not interfere with the right of the next person to do the same. Libertarian philosophy and political positions are guided by the individual’s rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness. The Libertarian society would allow individuals to choose their own lifestyle.

It is at this point that Christians are frequently driven away from the libertarian idea, but it is here that the two views become dependent upon one another. We claim to have unailienable rights. Without the argument that we are endowed by our Creator with these rights, it is a complicated philosophical task to prove that we do indeed have these rights. The virtue that we Christians strive for, cannot be achieved without the freedom to choose to be virtuous or not. If we lived in a world of famine, we could not claim credit for our not being gluttonous. If a man and his wife lived in isolation, then it could not be virtuous that he did not covet his neighbor’s wife. It is more virtuous to voluntarily donate money to charity than to pay taxes under the threat of punishment, even if those taxes pay for welfare. Virtue must be voluntary; a free society will maximize the opportunity for individuals to act in a virtuous manner.

It is tempting to use the power of law and government to encourage people to live their lives in a christian(sic) manner. That was tried in Europe many years ago; we know that era as The Inquisition. The prohibition of drugs and prostitution has been used as an excuse to interfere with the rights of individuals in the name of enforcing virtue. Once we allow the government to enforce virtue, we are set up for a "New Inquisition." Our nation was founded in the name of Liberty, so that God might manifest Himself in free individuals, bringing Peace and Justice to the world. Subtly influencing each person in minute ways, God is the “Invisible Hand” described by Adam Smith in his text, The Wealth of Nations. But in the name of “goodness” many laws have been passed that reduced the power and freedom of the individual and increased the power of the few. Power corrupts. With the world’s power concentrated in the hands of the few, the Corrupting Influence is better able to manifest. With the Liberty of individuals reduced, God’s ability to manifest Himself is impaired.

We, as a nation have succumbed to the temptation to abandon the uncertainty of Liberty for central control. Who controls the system that replaces the libertarian system that was established two hundred years ago is an important factor. One would predict that a person who has dedicated a lifetime to the ways of Christ would not be called to, or be able to grasp the reins of worldly power. It is much more likely that the one able to grab the power is someone who has a life-long experience of grabbing power.

Christians have flocked to the Republican Party because they were promised that there would be control over the evils of the world. The Libertarian Party promises less control. We will free the spirit of Liberty, allow the individual to choose virtue and allow the Churches to be an important part of the free society that influences each individual in the quest for virtue, as God manifests Himself in each one of us who will allow Him into our hearts.

For the last 25 years, the Libertarian Party has been a home for Philosophical purists of all religions and of none. The Party is a political organization whose end goal is to influence our government to allow individual freedom and require individual responsibility. We need a majority to do this and should reach out to the Christian people who are the majority. We are not only compatible; we need each other. Christians are libertarian in their belief; we trust in God to lead us in the proper course. Our Churches would thrive in a libertarian society, just as they have throughout our two hundred year history. Given a limited government, the people who need support would go to charitable churches for that support; they would receive support and guidance. Presently, those who need support go to our godless government for support; they receive welfare and sometimes counseling.

A Christian would want to vote for a Libertarian, because Libertarian principles are more compatible with Christian principles than any of the alternatives. I have chosen to run for Congress to represent the 6th Congressional District of the State of Washington as a Libertarian and ask for your support in this quest.

Please vote for me in September and November of the Year 2000 so that I can take this perspective to Washington, DC and influence the other Members of the Congress of the United States. Please discuss this issue with friends and acquaintances and let them know my name. Volunteer to help by providing time and effort. Keep me in your prayers. If at all possible, please support my campaign with your most generous donation to:

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