[moredasers]

"Christianity in its true sense puts an end to the State. It was so understood from its very beginning, and for that Christ was crucified."

– Leo Tolstoy

[santorio]

"When among one hundred men, one rules over ninety-nine, it is unjust, it is a despotism; when ten rule over ninety, it is equally unjust, it is an oligarchy; but when fifty-one rule over forty-nine (and this is only theoretical, for in reality it is always ten or eleven of these fifty-one), it is entirely just, it is freedom! Could there be anything funnier, in its manifest absurdity, than such reasoning? And yet it is this very reasoning that serves as the basis for all reformers of the political structure." - Tolstoy

[Tveabuti]

Pilate didnt seem all that concerned about his impact on Rome.

[Mello]

You never fail to deliver, Red...

Sheesh...

[Salliter]

"Crucifixion was commonly regarded as not only frighteningly painful but also the most shameful of deaths. Essentially, it was reserved for those who were perceived as raising their hands against Roman rule or those who in some other way seemed to challenge the social order—for example, slaves who attacked their masters, and insurrectionists, such as the many Jews crucified by Roman Gen. Vespasian in the Jewish rebellion of 66-72.

So the most likely crime for which Jesus was crucified is reflected in the Gospels' account of the charge attached to Jesus' cross: "King of the Jews." That is, either Jesus himself claimed to be the Jewish royal messiah, or his followers put out this claim. That would do to get yourself crucified by the Romans."

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/f...crucified.html

[Hinigyday]

Just sayin....Pilate really cared less about him had to be pushed into it. He wasnt killed because the govt felt threatened as claimed.

[bypeTeenehalT]

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and sheweth him all
the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship
me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship
the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:8-10)

[Peabelilt]

Render unto Caesar what is Caesars.....

[M1iFiNmC]

"Not only the complete misunderstanding of Christ's teaching, but also a complete unwillingness to understand it could have admitted that striking misinterpretation, according to which the words, "To Caesar the things which are Caesar's," signify the necessity of obeying Caesar. In the first place, there is no mention there of obedience; in the second place, if Christ recognized the obligatoriness of paying tribute, and so of obedience, He would have said directly, "Yes, it should be paid;" but He says, "Give to Caesar what is his, that is, the money, and give your life to God," and with these latter words He not only does not encourage any obedience to power, but, on the contrary, points out that in everything which belongs to God it is not right to obey Caesar."- Tolstoy

[DoctorIrokezov]

SOunds like Tolstoy didnt understand Christianity.....Christ also said my kingdom is not of this world......paying your taxes isnt a form of obedience??? who knew...

[wp6Eg2Fm]

Christianity as antithesis of statehood? Interesting.

Perhaps anarchy without contention, if indeed such a state of affairs could be maintained. In the strictest sense, even a theocracy is a state, where organisation is employed to mutual benefit.

I feel that perhaps Tolstoy was confused. Or his bias (as induced by his experiences of widespread fervour, in a Russia on the cusp of revolution) somehow coloured his appraisal. Even in the most ambiguous sense, his description warrants only parallels with statehood as something beyond the physical; in which case it's no comparison at all.

I'm smarter than Tolstoy! Fuck yeah!

Boiiiiiii!

[#[SoftAzerZx]]

SOunds like Tolstoy didnt understand Christianity.....Christ also said my kingdom is not of this world......paying your taxes isnt a form of obedience??? who knew...

I concur.

[bortycuz]

I concur.

It was a trap. A question posed to Christ from his enemies, so he'd either offend the Jews that were rebelling against Roman rule, or offend Rome herself.

He outwitted them with his vague answer. Context is incredibly important.

[cucceevevaind]

Christianity as antithesis of statehood? Interesting.

Perhaps anarchy without contention, if indeed such a state of affairs could be maintained. In the strictest sense, even a theocracy is a state, where organisation is employed to mutual benefit.

I feel that perhaps Tolstoy was confused. Or his bias (as induced by his experiences of widespread fervour, in a Russia on the cusp of revolution) somehow coloured his appraisal. Even in the most ambiguous sense, his description warrants only parallels with statehood as something beyond the physical; in which case it's no comparison at all.

I'm smarter than Tolstoy! Fuck yeah!

Boiiiiiii!

Tolstoy was not confused. I highly recommend his book - The Kingdom of God is Within You. It's brilliant.

[S.T.D.]

It was a trap. A question posed to Christ from his enemies, so he'd either offend the Jews that were rebelling against Roman rule, or offend Rome herself.

He outwitted them with his vague answer. Context is incredibly important.

What vague answer?

[Mifsnavassy]

Tolstoy was not confused. I highly recommend his book - The Kingdom of God is Within You. It's brilliant.

His definitions are rather skewed.

Nay, I reject them.

[HaremShaih]

It's actually available and free to read online...


http://www.kingdomnow.org/w-inyou01.html

[varrozans]

I thought you people knew this already.
Daniel 4
Matthew 6:24

You serve the one you fear.
Do you fear the Judgment of God?
Or the judgments of men?

What was the original sin?
And what is sin?

The commandments of God are only 10.
The 'laws' of men are libraries of volumes.
Which do you follow?

[Talicoabilk]

What vague answer?

"Render to Caesar..."

It was a yes or no question. He evaded it, turned it on it's head.

[KongoSan]

It's actually available and free to read online...


http://www.kingdomnow.org/w-inyou01.html

Before I read all that, is the case made that the prime function of the state is to combat such an intangible as 'evil'?