Article: Russian Pundit Claims Liberal Governments at War with Religion

[Jako]

https://www.polygraph.info/a/religious-freedom-liberal-governments-fact-check/30048290.html

[Bek]

I don't think the Rossiya 1 state channel can be taken seriously.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 12, 2019 by Hun

[Shawnster]

I wouldn't call China or Russia a liberal government.  

 

On the other hand, there is this quote from the beginning of the article:

Quote

 

Alexander Nekrassov

Political Analyst

“Liberalism worships two things: money and debauchery ... Eventually, this worship made all democracies morph into atheistic regimes, who’ve been witch-hunting all of the major religions.”

 

 

Which, in a sense, is true, at least from Russian historical point of view.  The Czarist regime was viewed by the Bolsheviks as debauched and corrupt.  The Russian Revolution overthrew what they saw as a corrupt government and replaced it with one that embraced atheism.  That style of government, as expressed by the Soviet Union and, clearly today, the Chinese government, has gone to great lengths to eradicate religion from their countries (with a few tolerated exceptions).  

 

Political Science and theory places socialist/communist governments on the far extreme left on the spectrum of political thought.  The idea that the State, or government, knows what is best for every citizen in every aspect of life is viewed as the far extreme leaning to the left.  On the other hand, I was taught that Nazi Germany was on the far extreme right on this spectrum of thought and they were the diametric opposite of the Soviets (despite the fact that Socialist was in the name of the National Socialist or Nazi regime).  I was also taught that the extreme ends of the left and right really act the same, especially when it comes to enforcing their will.  

 

[BenJepthah]

On 7/12/2019 at 12:04 PM, Shawnster said:

I wouldn't call China or Russia a liberal government.  

 

On the other hand, there is this quote from the beginning of the article:

 

Which, in a sense, is true, at least from Russian historical point of view.  The Czarist regime was viewed by the Bolsheviks as debauched and corrupt.  The Russian Revolution overthrew what they saw as a corrupt government and replaced it with one that embraced atheism.  That style of government, as expressed by the Soviet Union and, clearly today, the Chinese government, has gone to great lengths to eradicate religion from their countries (with a few tolerated exceptions).  

 

Political Science and theory places socialist/communist governments on the far extreme left on the spectrum of political thought.  The idea that the State, or government, knows what is best for every citizen in every aspect of life is viewed as the far extreme leaning to the left.  On the other hand, I was taught that Nazi Germany was on the far extreme right on this spectrum of thought and they were the diametric opposite of the Soviets (despite the fact that Socialist was in the name of the National Socialist or Nazi regime).  I was also taught that the extreme ends of the left and right really act the same, especially when it comes to enforcing their will.  

 

I was taught the same . But I have come to view the true nature of the political spectrum as less of a line and more of a circle ⭕️ with the extreme left and right actually being so similar as to be indistinguishable. This Nazis often stood for the very same things as Socialists in Russia.  The concentration camp of Hitler or the Gulag of Stalin it’s all the same. And it’s all a shame. Funny that this is rarely acknowledged by the pro socialists today. 

[Bek]

6 hours ago, BenJepthah said:

I was taught the same . But I have come to view the true nature of the political spectrum as less of a line and more of a circle ⭕️ with the extreme left and right actually being so similar as to be indistinguishable. This Nazis often stood for the very same things as Socialists in Russia.  The concentration camp of Hitler or the Gulag of Stalin it’s all the same. And it’s all a shame. Funny that this is rarely acknowledged by the pro socialists today. 

I don't agree with you on socialism, but I won't argue with you.  Are capitalist liberal democrats better than Nazis and socialists? 

 

Also, where would you place ancient Israel on today's political spectrum?  How would today's liberal democrats look at it? 

 

 

Edited July 16, 2019 by Hun

[jayrtom]

This is from a letter a brother wrote while in prison in 1957. But it could very well be written today!

 

No need to discuss what kind of human government is better when we know the Kingdom

 

“There is another pain in my heart. . . . I call to the minds of the brothers that our meetings are devoted to the study of Scripture and to training Jehovah’s Witnesses to be better, more qualified ministers. It is clearly unacceptable to discuss politics or to voice any anti-State opinions at meetings, regardless of where they are held and regardless of whether merely two are present or there are many. Brothers, keep this in mind, and do not allow any such discussions. Do any of you hold grudges against the regime because I and other brothers are in prison? Then I beseech you in my name, and in the name of the other brothers, to let go of such feelings. Do not give in to wrath and animosity, for we have presented our case to God and you do likewise.”—Rom. 12:17–13:1.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/302000011?q=discuss+politics&p=par#h=126

[BenJepthah]

1 hour ago, jayrtom said:

This is from a letter a brother wrote while in prison in 1957. But it could very well be written today!

 

No need to discuss what kind of human government is better when we know the Kingdom

 

 

 

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/302000011?q=discuss+politics&p=par#h=126

Agreed 

[Shawnster]

22 hours ago, BenJepthah said:

But I have come to view the true nature of the political spectrum as less of a line and more of a circle ⭕️ with the extreme left and right actually being so similar as to be indistinguishable

Yes, I've seen that, too.  I5 makes some sense. 

 

The spectrum of political thought isn't a statement on morality or which government is better.  Its more like a dial on a knob or the hands on a clock.  Iy simply tells position, like coordinates.