 Quote > A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion ...A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. Continued at top
Owned by Unordained - Created on 05/12/2006 - Never edited 12/25/06 :: Folder :: Government & Politics11/01/05 :: Folder :: Freedom & Responsibility11/01/05 :: Folder :: Religion 11/16/05 :: Quote :: Louis D. Brandeis, US Supreme Court JusticeThe greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.   12/01/03 :: Quote :: Abraham Lincoln
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness o [...] 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Arthur C. ClarkeYou can't have it both ways. You can't have both free will and a benevolent higher power who protects you from yourself. 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonThe care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: Patrick Henry [disputed]Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! 05/12/06 :: Quote :: Patrick HenryThe liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.  05/07/04 :: Article :: Beware the demonizers :: How to spot crap on sight  11/06/05 :: Article :: Why should christians be surprised? :: 09/29/05 :: Quote :: Robert H. Jackson, US Supreme Court JusticeThe very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One's right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submi [...] 08/26/07 :: Article :: Support the troops! :: Opposing a war is more difficult than it sounds07/31/08 :: Quote :: HL MenckenThe trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: Victor HugoWhen dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: Patrick HenryThe Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: Woodrow WilsonLiberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance. 12/17/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Legal Information Institute - Marriage: an overview 11/01/04 :: Quote :: ensisHere's a random wondering I had a moment ago. I think it proves true but it may need some work.
The difference between a fool and an atheist is that a fool scoffs at things he doesn't know he doesn't understand, and an atheist scoffs at things he knows he doesn't understand.
:) I'll work on it. 10/31/07 :: Article :: On education :: Teaching, testing, certifying09/10/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: Political Compass06/11/04 :: Article :: The sky is about to fall on our heads! :: ... or wondering why some people are obsessed with getting to the end of the world.06/09/05 :: Quote :: Frederick DouglassIf there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggl [...]  03/15/09 :: Article :: God's Will :: My Take on how "God's Will" is used by christians02/12/04 :: Article :: Boobygate :: New and improved! Now easier to skim and ignore!!02/01/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations)01/20/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: How can you consider yourselves Christians when you are also gay?01/16/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: The Weekly Standard - Marriage Defeatists 12/17/03 :: Article :: Marriage answers from Ensis. :: longwinded answers to questions posed by Unordained11/26/03 :: Article :: Same God? :: Christianity ... Islam ... Judaism ... Are they all just worshiping the same God?11/21/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Focus on the Family's review of Bruce Almighty 10/07/04 :: Article :: The Election :: Are we sick of the candidates yet? 10/06/07 :: Reference :: (link) :: L0rdZ pR4y3r10/03/03 :: Quote :: Woody AllenTo you I'm an atheist; to God, I'm the loyal opposition. 09/28/03 :: Article :: Black Box Theology 1.2 :: Don't read it and it won't hurt you.09/08/07 :: Quote :: Bertrand RussellIf a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Terry PratchettGod does not play dice with the universe. He plays an ineffable game of His own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players [i.e. everybody], to being involved in an obscure and complex variant of poker in a pitch-dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a Dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: O'RourkeIf government were a product, selling it would be illegal. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Adolf Hitler (disputed)What luck for the rulers that men do not think! 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Thomas ReidWe laugh at the Indian philosopher, who to account for the support
of the earth, contrived the hypothesis of a huge elephant, and to support
the elephant, a huge tortoise. If we will candidly confess the truth, we
know as little of the operation of the nerves, as he did of the manner in
which the earth is supported: and our hypothesis about animal spirits, or
about the tension and vibrations [...] 09/04/03 :: Quote :: George OrwellIf liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. 08/29/08 :: Quote :: Harry S TrumanWhenever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship. 08/26/05 :: Reference :: (link) :: Inside Ronald Reagan08/22/06 :: Quote :: John Stuart MillIf mankind minus one were of one opinion, then mankind is no more justified in silencing the one than the one - if he had the power - would be justified in silencing mankind. 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonSometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question. 07/31/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonYet it is easy to foresee, from the nature of things, that the encroachments of the State governments will tend to an excess of liberty which will correct itself, while those of the General Government will tend to monarchy, which will fortify itself from day to day. 07/31/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonI would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it. 07/28/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Outrageous Christianity07/08/05 :: Quote :: GhandiI believe that no government can exist for a single moment without the co-operation of the people, willing or forced, and if people suddenly withdraw their co-operation in every detail, the government will come to a standstill. 07/05/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: U.S. Republican Party Platform (2000)07/05/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: U.S. Green Party Platform (current)07/05/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: U.S. Democratic Party Platform (2000)06/16/05 :: Article :: Christians & Hypocrisy - FAQ :: Abstraction of hypocrisy, application to Christianity, distinct lack of resolution, and some bits about something else06/12/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Focus on the Family06/02/04 :: Quote :: Lao-TzuA leader is best when people barely know that he exists.
Less good when they obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they fear and despise him.
Fail to honor people, and they fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
they will say, "We did this ourselves."
05/30/05 :: Reference :: (link) :: U.S. Libertarian Platform (current)05/28/06 :: Quote :: George Bernard ShawThe fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. 05/23/09 :: Article :: Three Million Dollars :: Entertainment to bait...I mean, convert... the masses.05/12/06 :: Quote :: Patrick Henry [disputed]I know not what course others make take, but as for me: give me Liberty, or give me death. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: George Bernard ShawLiberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: John F. KennedyLet every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. 05/12/06 :: Quote :: Patrick HenryGuard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. 04/18/04 :: Quote :: Henry Stimson (Secretary of State)... gentlemen do not read each other's mail. 04/07/04 :: Quote :: Theodore RooseveltTo announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or anyone else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else. 03/30/09 :: Article :: The Abortion Debate Is Stupid. :: It seriously is.02/25/07 :: Quote :: Bertrand RussellThere is no nonsense so errant that it cannot be made the creed of the vast majority by adequate governmental action. 02/12/04 :: Quote :: CS Lewis: "The Weight of Glory""To be ignorant and simple now--not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground--would be to throw down our weapons and betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered." 02/10/07 :: Quote :: Sir Francis BaconSilence is the virtue of fools. 02/07/08 :: Quote :: C.P. SnowWhen you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion. 02/05/04 :: Article :: An Ounce of Prevention :: What if The People don't want to do what is good for them?01/28/08 :: Quote :: Hannah ArendtThe most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution. 01/28/05 :: Quote :: Frederick DouglassNo man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck. 01/24/05 :: Quote :: Charles de GaulleThe graveyards are full of indispensable men. 01/22/04 :: Article :: The Real Voodoo :: The Recession argument is conducted poorly01/21/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: Anti-Semitism: A Practical Manual01/18/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: Free Will vs. Predestination in Islam01/08/06 :: Reference :: (link) :: UK report upcoming on psychosis effects of cannabis (pot)01/03/04 :: Article :: Blood type :: A well-meaning preacher sticks his foot in his mouth ... 04/13/04 :: Article :: Justice, law, morality, ethics :: What would you like?11/21/03 :: Article :: Knight to Cell block C3. :: Crack is the incorrect way to kill a fetus03/04/04 :: File :: Redux :: Quick-time video12/17/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: The Christian Research Institute - Rape, Marriage, and the Significance of Sex: Why Traditional Values Matter12/17/03 :: Article :: The three who didn't pray :: Four guys come out of a bar ...12/15/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Criminalizing Motherhood11/23/05 :: Quote :: Henry David ThoreauAny fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it. 11/23/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Guerrilla News Network11/13/03 :: Quote :: Michael PaineAn important art of politicians is to find new names for institutions which under old names have become odious to the public. 10/19/03 :: Quote :: Winston ChurchillI am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the
great ordeal of meeting me is another matter. 10/18/04 :: Article :: The problem with Conservatives and Liberals :: A bizarre thought I had to get down on paper10/09/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Two Civilized Men Among the Barbarians10/07/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonThe will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object. 10/06/07 :: Reference :: (link) :: Are There Demonstrable Effects of Distant Intercessory Prayer? A Meta-Analytic Review10/03/05 :: Quote :: Henry KissingerWe must learn to distinguish morality from moralizing. 10/03/05 :: Quote :: John MiltonHere the great art lies, to discern in what the law is to be to restraint and
punishment, and in what things persuasion only is to work.
09/30/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonWe are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a feather bed. 09/29/07 :: Reference :: (link) :: Millet system of law09/04/03 :: Quote :: O'RourkeOne of the annoying things about believing in free will and individual responsibility is the difficulty of finding somebody to blame your problems on. And when you do find somebody, it's remarkable how often his picture turns up on your driver's license. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Richard Kerry (R-Florida)I think that the free-enterprise system is absolutely too important to be left to the voluntary action of the marketplace. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: SupertrampNow watch what you say
They'll be calling you a radical, liberal,
Fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name?
We'd like to feel you're acceptable, respectable,
Presentable, a vegetable. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Napoleon BonaparteTen people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent. 09/04/03 :: Quote :: Søren KierkegaardPeople demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid. 08/04/05 :: Quote :: Benjamin FranklinIn these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, [...] 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonShake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.
08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonEnlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. 08/01/04 :: Article :: Don't ignore differences! :: The Vatican reminds us that women are different from men, hurray!07/24/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: The Future Begins Now07/24/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Ghost In The Machine 07/06/03 :: Article :: It's not my fault! :: ......*grumble*.....07/05/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Issues2000.org07/02/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: U.S. missile strike kills al Qaeda chief07/02/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: Bush Slow to OK Drones in Bin Laden Hunt07/02/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: United States divorce statistics07/02/03 :: Reference :: (link) :: World-wide divorce statistics06/29/04 :: Article :: Freedom and Authority :: Shedding light on America's political system06/10/06 :: Reference :: (link) :: MonkeySphere05/12/06 :: Quote :: Samuel AdamsIf ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. 04/07/04 :: Article :: Moral Authority? :: 04/02/05 :: Reference :: (link) :: The War Prayer03/15/05 :: Quote :: Oscar AmeringerPolitics -- the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich by promising to protect each from the other. 03/02/04 :: Article :: Anti-discrimination and the Church :: Should you be worried about gay marriage because your church doesn't want to officiate such things?02/26/05 :: Article :: On teaching evolution in public schools :: 02/25/07 :: Quote :: Bertrand RussellMost people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so. 02/19/04 :: Article :: Minority Report :: Conflict of interest in the Minority Party02/16/04 :: Article :: Memogate :: Ready the black helicopters01/20/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: Text of the Dead Sea Scrolls01/14/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonIt is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. 01/12/06 :: Reference :: (link) :: Butt Seks for Jesus01/05/04 :: Quote :: Hermann Goering, Nazi Reichsmarshall and Luftwaffe-Chief (Hitler's right-hand man)We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.
"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one pie [...] |
