GodArchy: Recent Episodes
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I don’t care much about the Chinese “spy” balloon gliding silently through the upper atmosphere over the United States. But I’m clearly in the minority.
Once the news got out, the balloon quickly became the latest political brouhaha, momentarily usurping the fake debt-ceiling fight. The Biden administration decided not to shoot the meandering airship down. That gave Republicans the perfect opportunity to paint the president as weak and finger-point his ineptitude, as the war hawks pulled out their mallets and started pounding the war drums.
From what I’m hearing, the average American views the balloon as a threat. The most frequently asked question is, “Why don’t ‘we‘ shoot it down?” followed by the emphatic assertion that “‘we’ can’t let the Chinese get away with this!” As if anybody yelling “we” has the capacity to shoot down a balloon drifting some 60,000 feet above the earth, or the average Chinese person had anything to do with floating the balloon this way in the first place.
This is precisely why I don’t really care about the balloon. I’m not part of the “we” that created this drama. It’s not my circus, and it’s not my monkeys.
While most Americans view this as an “us” against “them” situation, I see it as a “them against them” saga. We have one violent gang in Beijing that claims China as its territory antagonizing another violent gang in Washington D.C. that claims the United States as its territory.
And I’m just over hear wishing they would both go away.
It’s like living in a neighborhood run by the Bloods. Am I really supposed to get all bent out of shape about the Crips antagonizing the Bloods just because I live in the Blood’s hood? In reality, I’m just going to try to keep my head down and stay out of everybody’s way.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not naive. I understand that as an American, the Chinese government could theoretically impact my life. The Chinese army could march into Tarpon Springs and put me under its subjugation. But the fact is the U.S. government impacts my life negatively every single day. I’m under the dominion of Washington D.C. right this minute. Why should I get all bent out of shape about a Chinese balloon spying on me when the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) is gobbling up all of my electronic data on a daily basis? And stealing a big chunk of my income to fund its surveillance state. (Not to mention its global empire.)
Yes, I am disturbed by Chinese “aggression.” But I’m more disturbed by American aggression around the world because it is supposedly done in my name. And I am even more disturbed by the fact that people will point at the sky, rally around the flag, and fuel a burning desire to kill Chinese people in the name of “security.” In my mind, that’s not different than wanting to kill people the next neighborhood over because it’s Crip’s territory.
Most Americans have hopelessly tied their identity to the gang that rules over them. They might rant against it, but when the proverbial rubber meets the road, they will kill or be killed at the behest of the gang leaders. As Randolph Bourne said, “war is the health of the state.”
His words should serve as a warning.
“The Government, with no mandate from the people, without consultation of the people, conducts all the negotiations, the backing and filling, the menaces and explanations, which slowly bring it into collision with some other Government, and gently and irresistibly slides the country into war. For the benefit of proud and haughty citizens, it is fortified with a list of the intolerable insults which have been hurled toward us by the other nations; for the benefit of the liberal and beneficent, it has a convincing set of moral purposes which our going to war will achieve; for the ambitious and aggressive classes, it can gently whisper of a bigger role in the destiny of the world…
The moment war is declared, however, the mass of the people, through some spiritual alchemy, become convinced that they have willed and executed the deed themselves. They then, with the exception of a few malcontents, proceed to allow themselves to be regimented, coerced, deranged in all the environments of their lives, and turned into a solid manufactory of destruction toward whatever other people may have, in the appointed scheme of things, come within the range of the Government’s disapprobation. The citizen throws off his contempt and indifference to Government, identifies himself with its purposes, revives all his military memories and symbols, and the State once more walks, an august presence, through the imaginations of men. Patriotism becomes the dominant feeling, and produces immediately that intense and hopeless confusion between the relations which the individual bears and should bear toward the society of which he is a part.”
The real root of my indifference is that my allegiance is not to any earthly kingdom. The American state and the Chinese state are just two incarnations of Babylon. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God (as are many Chinese people). My lord is the Prince of Peace. That’s where my loyalty lies.
Libertarian “meme-makers” were quick to jump on a sex scandal in Tennessee involving a female cop and her fellow officers.
I get it.
As a libertarian, I don’t particularly like cops either. But as a Christian, I find the mocking and derision in this situation disturbing.
As an institution, police have a lot of problems. In the first place, cops are government enforcers. They supply the brute force that enables government violence, force, and coercion. Second, disturbing institutional problems pervade police departments, including a culture of authoritarianism, violence, and a lack of respect for the people they supposedly “protect and serve.”
In this context, cops deserve derision. I understand the impulse to mock what cops do and how they do it in the line of duty, and I don’t completely discount using such messaging to advance the cause of liberty.
On the other hand, it’s important to remember that cops are people. And individual cops are individuals. It’s a little bit strange to see libertarians who elevate the sanctity of the individual suddenly become rabid collectivists when it comes to a group of people they don’t like.
So, where does solid libertarian messaging cross the line into self-righteous gossip?
In my opinion, mocking people because of a sex scandal crosses that line. This isn’t something that is specific to policing. There are people from every walk of life doing weird sex stuff. In fact, I am certain that a lot of people making and sharing these memes wouldn’t fare well if their own sexual exploits and perversions were suddenly made public.
Jesus and the woman at the well immediately come to mind. (John 4:1-26)
I’ll concede that as libertarians, we can debate whether mocking cops involved in a sex scandal like this crosses the line, or if it presents an opportunity to effectively communicate a libertarian message to a broader audience. But my real problem with this saga doesn’t have anything to do with libertarian strategy. It stems from my faith in Christ.
Jesus calls his followers to a different standard. He calls us to love even the unlovable. He calls us to remember the sanctity of every human life — even cops.
I keep coming back to this. If your political philosophy turns you into a hateful, mocking, derisive person, you might want to rethink your political philosophy.
Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. Jesus teaches us to extend grace and mercy. Jesus teaches us that we need to get our own spiritual and moral house in order before we go digging our fingers around in other people’s eyeballs.
Stop for just a moment and humanize this cop and her husband. Imagine the embarrassment she is suffering through right now. Imagine the pain her husband feels. Imagine being in that situation and having an entire world full of strangers leering at you, pointing fingers, and piling on.
Imagine how you would feel if the world directed a spotlight into the darkest recesses of your life and you suddenly became a meme.
And then “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Circling back, I confess that I kind of get it. I don’t like cops. I don’t like what they do. And yes, I share the disdain expressed by many of my libertarian brothers and sisters.
But as a follower of Christ, I want to be better – not a better libertarian – a better human being.
I think of how Jesus treated tax collectors. They were regarded in much the same way as many people view police officers. They were generally loathed by society. They worked in a morally questionable occupation. And I’m guessing they probably weren’t the most pleasant people in town.
How did Jesus treat tax collectors?
He didn’t mock them. He didn’t make memes about them. He didn’t shake his finger at them and lecture them about their career choice.
He invited them to dinner.
In fact, Jesus used a parable involving a tax collector to remind us not to get too cocky about our own place in the universe.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
I am the tax collector in this scenario. I’m thankful that Jesus extends me mercy, and I don’t have to worry about him meming my worst moments.
“For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/The_Swan_Song_GodArchy_Podcast_3.4.mp3And the season for GodArchy has come to an end.
This will be the final podcast for the foreseeable future. In this episode, I explain why, reminisce a bit, and say some thank yous.
SHOW NOTES
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The American founders were radicals.
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/He_Was_a_Radical_With_Historian_Dave_Benner_GodArchy_3.3.mp3In the 21st century, America’s founding political principles seem pretty mundane. But in their time, they were extremely radical. And Thomas Paine was one of the most radical of the radicals.
In this episode of the GodArchy podcast, I talk with historian and Paine biographer Dave Benner. We discuss the radical nature of Paine’s thinking in its time and what we can learn from it today. We also talk about how Paine’s Quaker upbringing influenced some of his political ideas.
SHOW NOTES
Thomas Paine: A Lifetime of Radicalism
Dave Benner on Twitter: @DBenner83
Common Sense
Support the Libertarian Christian Institute
Visit Our Sponsors!
PuraNola.com
Coupon Code GodArchy for 20% off first order
CannaHemp Use Promo code Michael15 for 15% off
Subscribe to the GodArchy Podcast
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What good is cryptocurrency anyway? http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Whats_Up_With_Cryptocurrency_With_Joel_Valenzuea_GodArchy_3.2.mp3 With the steep decline in the price of bitcoin and the high-profile bankruptcy of the FTX exchange, you might...
It’s official! http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Dropping_Big_News_With_Doug_Stuart_GodArchy_Podcast_3.1.mp3 GodArchy has partnered with the Libertarian Christian Institute with the GodArchy podcast joining the Christians for Liberty Network. In this episode,...
Taxation is theft. And so is inflation. In fact, inflation is just taxation by another name. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Theft_By_Inflation_GodArchy_Podcast_2.8.mp3 What is inflation? How does government use inflationary...
Most people yearn for peace and human flourishing. But how do we get there? Most people believe we just need a better political program. Or...
As the saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Stratagies_for_Liberty_With_Spike_Cohen.mp3 How do we advance liberty? Should we engage the political process?...
You don’t get to take the moral high ground when you’re pointing a gun at somebody else’s head so you can get your way – no matter how great your way might seem.
You can’t trust politicians! http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Pontius_Pilate_the_Politician_GodArchy_2.6.mp3 Pontius Pilate is the archetypical politician, and the way Pilate handled Jesus’s trial teaches a lot of lessons about political...
This war needs to end — now! http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/The_Yemen_War_and_How_to_Stop_It_With_Scott_Horton_.mp3 The U.S. has been involved in a war in Yemen for years. Calling the situation in that...
The state may be illegitimate but it’s not going anyplace anytime soon. So, how do we live free in this unfree world? http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Living_Free_in_an_Unfree_World_With_Tricia_Stuart_GodArchy_2.4.mp3 If you’re...
It’s dangerous history! http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/This_Episode_Is_History_GodArchy_Podcast_2.3.mp3 Does history repeat? Does it rhyme? Does human nature change? These are some of the meaty topics I discuss with Dangerous...
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that...
You have to believe in magic. After all, seeing is believing! http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Its_Magic_GodArchy_Pordcast_2.2.mp3 In this episode, I chat with Doc Dixon. Doc is a professional magician...
I live in a pretty nice neighborhood. But there's a problem. A violent gang claims my neighborhood as its territory.
While creating or maintaining a "Christian nation" sounds good on paper, it's a project doomed to fail.
After about a 9-month hiatus, the GodArchy podcast has returned! http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Im_Back_GodArchy_Epiosode_2.1.mp3 For the GodArchy reboot, I talk a little about where I’ve been and where...
The GodArchy podcast is coming back! The last year has been difficult. My mom died last fall after a courageous two-plus-year fight with cancer. I...
This goes to show how quickly war turns people into rabid collectivists. Suddenly "Russians" become the bad guys (and gals). All of them.
“There is nothing we can do with suffering except to suffer it.” – C.S. Lewis http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/A_Grief_Observed_GodArchy_Podcast.mp3 In this episode, I share a little about...
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/The_Last_Enemy_GodArchy_Podcast.mp3 I recently watched my mother die. It was a profound experience. In this episode, I share...
To jab or not to jab? That is the question. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/To_Jab_or_Not_to_Jab_GodArchy_Podcast.mp3 But a lot of people don’t feel like they have a whole lot of...
It was bound to happen. The GodArchy page has run afoul of the Facebook police. Here is the offending meme. The meme made the circuits...
If all these mitigation efforts including lockdowns and mask mandates worked, we should see a significant difference between areas that implemented such measures and those...
Liberation Theology emphasizes those biblical concerns that white European flavored Christianity has often looked over– concerns like justice and liberation for the oppressed and downtrodden, but can often drown out other, extremely vital, elements of the Christian faith.
Is Simone Biles “soft?” http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Suck_It_Up_Simone_GodArchy_Podcast.mp3 Did she embarrass America? Is she indicative of deeper problems in American society? A lot of people think so since...
Compulsory national service is slavery. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Compulsary_National_Service_GodArchy_Podcast.mp3 Sound like hyperbole? I don’t think so. In this episode of the GodArchy podcast, I talk about compulsory national...
In my view, centralized power is the greatest threat to liberty. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/If_at_First_You_Dont_Secede.mp3 The best way to confront that threat is the break up centralized power...
Racism is everywhere!
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/voluntarygirl.com/media/com_podcastmanager/Postmodernism_and_Critical_Race_Theory_With_Michael_Rectenwald.mp3 At least that’s the narrative the “woke” social justice movement drives.
Political movements spring from ideas and the left-wing social justice movement is rooted in postmodernism and critical race theory. But what are these ideologies? Where do they come from? And how do these ideas play out in society?
In this episode of the GodArchy podcast, I talk with former NYU professor Michael Rectenwald about postmodernism, critical race theory and the movement driven by these ideas.
Michael was a Professor of Liberal Studies and Global Liberal Studies at NYU from 2008 to 2019 when he found himself in the crosshairs of the thought police. And no, he wasn’t a right-winger. In fact, he was a Marxist.
Michael holds a Ph.D. in Literary and Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master’s in English Literature from Case Western Reserve University, and a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. He’s the author of 11 books and hosts his own podcast “Rekt by Rectenwald.” Michael has also created a class for Liberty Classroom titled “Critical Theory, Cultural Studies, and Postmodern Theory.”
SHOW NOTES
Michael’s Website
Springtime for Snowflakes: “Social Justice” and It’s Postmodern Parentage
Michael’s Podcast
American Scholars
Michael’s Twitter @TheAntiPCProf
To join Liberty Classroom and take Michael’s course (plus many more on history, economics and political theory) click HERE.
GodArchy episode: Identity Politics and Race
Photo by Kai Ross via Flickr
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