Monday, April 4, 2022

Mainstream Christianity Pivot on Self-defense?

 

12 minute run-time. The interesting part of discussion starts at 2:25 mark. Jump-ahead by clicking here.

In engineering we always assumed that "perturbations" are inevitable and that local maxima for potential energy were "Quasi-stable" states. That is,  ball-bearings can rest at the top of the roller-coaster as long as the grasshoppers in New Jersey never sneeze and the butterflies in China never fly.

Social scientists have been slow to accept the idea that a set of rules is quasi-stable if any actor can gain advantage by violating those rules.

Consider the Prisoner's Dilemma. It is really not a dilemma when viewed through the lens of each INDIVIDUAL maximizing his benefits and minimizing his losses.

This video is of a Catholic priest actually discussing "What happens when people break the rules?"

Spoiler, he talks about firearms being rational tools to have near the 8:00 mark.

Enjoy.

BTW, this guy actually appears to have a neck and traps. I don't think he was always a Catholic priest.

5 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Mrs ERJ gets the hat-tip on this one.

      She called my attention to this video.

      Delete
  2. Fr. Mike made a number of good points, two which I think most important. Number 1, prayer. Pray for guidance on how to react when the stability is gone, when men no longer heed the rules, and for the courage required for contending with men who do not heed the rules. Number 2, be prepared. Put on the full armor of God, which is faith, trust, prayer, and humility to allow Him to guide you in stable, and unstable times. Good message from Fr. Mike.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We have a local radio station that plays his teachings. he's quite good, and I was surprised a bit at how rational he is....

    ReplyDelete
  4. As a Christian on the "Protestor" side, I was always amazed at the pacifist bent of some groups / denominations. Jesus said there would be a time to sell your coat and buy a rifle (my paraphrase). Abram had a large group of special forces in his retinue. Even the passage to take a slap on each cheek doesn't rule out the protection of life. (Cheek slaps are rarely fatal). This is a good reminder to work this out in your mind BEFORE you need to defend the line that shall not be crossed.

    ReplyDelete

Readers who are willing to comment make this a better blog. Civil dialog is a valuable thing.