thou must submit to thy omnipotent state
The Fat Lady Sings discusses the horrifying tale of a Polish exchange student and his stint with a North Carolina evangelical Christian family. Why the strange affinity between Christian fundamentalism and political authoritarianism? Well, let's just look to the holy buybull. I came across Romans 13:1-4 in the comments of a post by Reverend Gisher on Wal-Mart's decision to wish shoppers a "Merry Christmas". This passage from St.Paul forms the basis of the religous defense of authoritarianism:
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
My respect for our Founding Fathers has just increased tenfold. I never realized that by declaring independence from England and creating the republic in which we live, they avowed themselves to an eternity of torment in the bowels of hell.
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