Doubts about Militias

4/4/10

Religious militias are once again a problem. This time a small tight knit group came up with the stupendously stupid idea to kill a police officer as a way to get lots of other officers together at a funeral so they could kill lots of police at one go. What is stunning isn't that some insane person came up with such a boneheaded idea. What is stunning is that none of his friends said - hey - maybe that isn't such a good idea. Doubt and skepticism are Humanist virtues for a reason. They keep us out of trouble.

We Humanists don't really care what other people believe, unless of course, those beliefs call for the killing or harming of our fellow humans. Please - if you are listening to someone who is advocating violence. No matter how rational their argument in favor of violence may seem. Do yourself a favor and entertain a little doubt. Be a little skeptical of whether violence really is the solution. You will thank yourself in the morning, I promise you.

Now, as for the fact this was a Christian militia. What part of "thou shall not kill" did they not understand? Seriously. It isn't like that is one of the more obscure commandments. In fact, it is the only one most people know. Right up there with not coveting your neighbor's wife and no lying. (sigh). If there's one thing worse then a group of murderous yahoos on a mission, it is murderous yahoos on a religious mission who clearly have no idea what their chosen faith is really about and who ignore one of the basic tenets of their faith.