2000-6-9 00:22:00
Let me quote from a previous article:
"Just as the one who was deceived into thinking he could not walk discovered the truth and now wants freedom in an extended area so will it be with you and me. If we attempt to restrict freedom outside of our ring then the time will come that we ourselves will find our own freedoms restricted. If we attempt to restrict freedom within our ring but in an area where we have no personal interest then the time will come that an area of interest for ourselves will be affected."
Let me elaborate on this a bit:
Remember the story of the guy in NAZI Germany who tells of witnessing various groups of people around him being hauled off by the authorities and no one stood up for them? He himself was silent as he had no affiliation with the troubled groups. Finally, he says they came for him and when they did there was no one left who could speak up for him even if they wanted to. This is the way it is with freedom also. If we are concerned only with our own little freedoms in our own little areas of interest, then the freedom we have will be short-lived. It has been said the price of freedom is eternal vigilance and this is indeed true, but we must be vigilant for all freedom, and not only for our own liberty in a limited area of interest.
We must be prepared to defend the principle of freedom for all lives within their ring-pass-not and areas of interest, as long as that free expression does not take away more freedom than it gives.
And that is the principle of freedom in a nutshell. The principle of freedom will generally be manifest if one consistently asks this question: Will my action increase the freedom of the whole or decrease the freedom of the whole?
Using this criterion we see that the burglar violates this principle. Even though he feels free to break into your house and has increased freedom to steal your TV, the overall decrease in freedom for the whole is much greater than his little increase.
If you teach a friend to surf the internet you are adding to his freedom at the loss of a little free time. There is an overall gain for the whole and thus the principle of freedom is in play.
The problem with maintaining freedom is that people have two basic definitions of it or ways of looking at it.
(1) The first group sees freedom as an increase in benefits (usually temporary) to either self or the group, even if it involves an increase of restrictions to many.
(2) The second group sees freedom as a lack of restriction, unless that restriction is absolutely necessary to maintain freedom of decision and action for the whole.
The problem is that the first group is in heavy illusion. An increase in benefits takes away from freedom if the reception of those benefits comes by way of force, or the taking away of the freedom of one to increase the freedom of another.
Let's take a real life example. Currently many individuals plus state and federal governments are pursuing and suing the tobacco companies for money and benefits, thinking that these benefits will give them greater freedom within their sphere.
At what price are these benefits? An increase of taxes on the product, which is a tax increase for many poor people. An increase of restrictions for the tobacco companies. If everyone gets their benefits the tobacco companies will go bankrupt with a loss of thousands of jobs and the creation of a great black market producing a tremendous increase in crime.
Objection: The tobacco companies deserve what they get because cigarettes are bad for you. We may take away some of their freedom, but that will be good for everyone. In fact it would be a big help if we made them illegal. Think of all the health benefits everyone would enjoy.
This is where the great illusion comes into play that provides the most powerful of tools for the Dark Brothers. It is in harmony with their philosophy "force people to do good." Keep in mind that they have their own definition of good and it always involves lots of benefits for those at the top of the food chain.
What is the motto of the Brotherhood of Light? "Promote understanding and then trust people to do good."
I have not smoked since I was around twelve, so the subject of tobacco has little to do with me personally. But I am concerned because the increase or decrease of the freedom of a part does affect the whole, and I am a part of that whole. To force the tobacco companies out of business and thus force the consumer into a healthier lifestyle is to encourage the path of darkness.
Always remain vigilant towards those who advocate force to produce an increase of benefits.
Here are some examples of how forcing people to do good have failed in the past:
1. Most notable is that the Soviet Union used force in an attempt to create equality for its people. The incentive to work was taken away and the nation went bankrupt.
2. During Prohibition the United States government attempted to force its citizens to not drink alcohol. Crime was manifest where before there was no crime, and mobsters like Al Capone arose and created havoc on the nation. Millions of people continued to obtain alcohol by illegal means. The situation became so intolerable that the law was repealed.
3. The government forced wage and price controls in the late 70's so evil businesses would not increase prices. Prices continued to go up, interest rates skyrocketed, and there were shortages of many products.
What happens when we promote understanding and trust people to do well? Individuals will apply the principles of health on their own, including quitting smoking and going on a better diet. Individuals will move toward a real equality and have much more incentive to produce. Individuals will begin to take responsibility for their own lives instead of working to "beat the system."
The war between light and dark, as it plays out in present time on this planet, is between the philosophy of maximum freedom and maximum control at the expense of freedom. We could also say that the war is between those who gladly receive the mark of the beast through control by authority, and those who seek to escape the mark.
Assignment: Name a current attempt to force people to do good and tell us why it will or will not work.
Copyright 2000 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved