I've personally liked and respected Ron Paul ever since I interviewed him in my college dorm room. But I don't support his political movement. It reminds me too much of the evangelical Christianity I once embraced.
Consider the ways that many of Ron Paul's core supporters are like religious fundamentalists:
These similarities to religious fundamentalism are extremely ironic of course, given Ron Paul's belief in individual liberty and independent thinking.
When I was an evangelical Christian I believed I had all the answers. Anyone who thought otherwise was simply wrong. Eventually -- and painfully -- I realized I was wrong.
That's why I'm so skeptical of any single-minded movement brandishing absolute truths and promising simple solutions to complex problems.
And that's why -- very respectfully -- I don't support Ron Paul.
Follow James Kotecki on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JamesKotecki
Bob Cesca: The Fantastical Crackpot Cult of Ron Paul
Jim Burroway: Ron Paul's Easy Appeal to Christian Reconstructionists
David Groshoff: Ron Paul: Secret Homophobe or Misunderstood Ally?
As for a rebuke of your article, go here: http://www.dailypaul.com/204467/we-are-not-going-to-hold-your-hand-kotecki
Also, that the further individuals apostisize the principles given to us- ( whether it's morale or constitutional doctrine) that humanity seems to take on a less kind nature-
That nature is implicit in how the government currently conducts itself in an immoral manner -
Things in this world ( like religion) are not so black and white--- And it is not the majority that espouses their beliefs the loudest- ( often it is the naivety of youth out apostilizing on missionary type ventures)
I too fell away from a catholic faith due to the congregations hypocrisy -- but I found even more so---- that inevitably , my inability to NOT JUDGE OTHERS is what my personal problem was---
If you do not support GOOD INTENTIONS which is at the root of every movement ( religious or political) and DAMN THE PROPHET for the weakness of the followers--
Then you have become the bigger problem by not "LIVING AS AN EXAMPLE AMONGST THE HEATHENS" in order to lead by example--
Your admonishment of others misguided views is justified-- but puts the sin back on you for the judgement instead of pitying and praying for them-
Remember -- Faith is not Knowing-
It is the hope for things not yet seen-
If you already know everything, you will surely be shipwrecked by the laughter of the GODS-
The years will bring clarity as the anger so inherent in youth
1. They have a simple solution to every problem-- +Yes, More Government.
2. Their positions are logically consistent... specific interpretations of key documents-- +Yes, Money, follow the money. (money's a document in this case ;).
3. They have an "us against the world" mentality-- +Yes, "you're either with us or against us."
4. They believe our civilization teeters on the brink of destruction and only their philosophy can save it-- +Yes, The philosophy of perpetual war will save us from the barbarians.
5. They reflexively lash out against any perceived criticism of their philosophy or its leader-- +Yes, Read the comments of any article against Big Government.
Ron Paul/Gary Johnson 2012!
Return to righteousness, America!
Don't let another Texas cowboy run roughshod over this once-great country of ours!
You say Christians have a bible and Paul has the Constitution. Atheists have no bible and our government forgets the Constitution. Simple answers are not always correct. The difference is it’s a simple answer at the Federal level and a complicated one at the states. Its like the Catholic Church saying decisions are no longer made by the Pope but by the Bishops. The only difference is the Bible gives authority to the Pope and the Constitution gives authority to the states.
Ron Paul isn't a mythical religion. Paul's economic views have been vindicated to no end, as well as his foreign policy views.
Who's left to support? Obama and his TARP endorsement? His utterly failed stimulus legislation? $5 trillion of new federal debt in only three years?? Bombing countries like Libya without even CONSULTING congress, let alone obtaining a constitutionally mandated declaration of war??
Are you kidding me???? Every solution the left and right have come up with is another layer of government bureaucracy and it has failed in every way possible.
Perhaps you should just reconsider Paul after all.
Truer words were never spoken. And yes, this is very similar to a religious cult.
(2) Your claim of media bias is proving exactly what I said. Paul's supporters are full of paranoid theories about why he can't seem to win a primary. It's always some kind of conspiracy, never the fact that people just aren't into Mr. Paul.
I'd hardly call him a "staunch supporter" of Ron Paul and I certainly have never heard anyone on the left side call Stewart dishonest or untrustworthy.
(2) Stewart is a satirist. He may have said this tongue in cheek. I wouldn't know, because you didn't provide a link for that, either.
(3) It's still making excuses and suggesting, cynically, that people are gullible enough to fall for a conspiracy. That suggests that Paul and his supporters don't think very much of the American voters' abilities to make the decisions for themselves. I repeat: It just doesn't look like they're that into you, Ron.