or, DOES PROHIBITION (of anything) WORK?
This morning while reading my posts on Face Book I came across the following question from a friend:
Honest question. Do you believe that making something
illegal, or severely restricting access to it, will either eliminate access to
it altogether or significantly reduce the frequency of access to it?
If so, why?
If not, why not?
While I think this was posted to prompt discussion on "gun control" in response to the threats and charges propounded by the current administration and its Progressive "we must control all you do" sycophants; my response is more in line with the underlying proposition contained within the question. My response was:
"Succinctly, no and no.
This (these) question(s), of course, prompt one of the great
moral and philosophical discussions of all ages (perhaps the greatest of all
discussions - that of obedience to the Word of God). Most of us know the results of the prohibition recorded in Genesis (in the Holy
Bible) against eating fruit from only one tree in the midst of garden rich with
fruit. Additional reading in Genesis
reveals more prohibitions given by our Great Creator (for our benefit as He
works only in the best interest of His creation), and more violations of those
"laws" to the detriment of the lawbreakers.
In more current times consider the effect of the
"prohibition" laws of the 1920's in the USA, or the current impact of
the laws that comprise the "war on drugs."
These examples are representative of the battle of this age,
the battle between good (the way given by God), and the way of evil
(that of the great adversary - Satan). This is the battle that honorable, ethical,
truth and God seeking individuals fight in their individual lives each and
every moment; striving with all their might and with the help of God to
win. Those aligned with the great
adversary are also focused on winning.
Of course, victory by the latter, whether they fight knowingly or
unknowingly, will bring physical destruction upon both.
That understanding, I believe, is a (the) most fundamental
truth.
From where I sit, this conflict is the purpose of our
age. When the conflict is resolved in
accordance with God's purpose (when mankind fully recognizes that only by
choosing to live by what is right is the only path that leads to happiness,
peace and truth - because choosing otherwise will not and cannot work, not
because of any law of prohibition), then another age will begin in which this
conflict is no longer an issue (Christians look to this age at the return of
their Savior, Jesus Christ). Then all
who live will understand, and choose to follow (no longer influenced by the
great adversary), without force or fear of penalty, those ways which promote
only peace, harmony and well being for all.
Then laws of permission or prohibition will be not be required. In my opinion, that is when the true purpose
of God begins; this current age being only the prologue to its accomplishment
- the time in which we prepare, individually, to attain all that He has planned
for us.
We are then, blessed in our personal, day-to-day fight by
the understanding that the God is on our side (those opposed the great
adversary) and that ultimately victory for right, truth and love between all is
assured!"
Reviewing my response as compared to the posted discussion (which related exclusively to comments in support of, or arguments against, "gun control," and/or other forms of controlling a United States citizen rights as defined by the Second Amendment), I became acutely aware that my thought processes are not as intimately involved with the current problems being argued in the town squares of our Nation (media, social sites, etc.) as I thought. Rather, for me the overriding issue is: are we moving toward obedience to God and internalizing His directions and guidance - or are we sliding more and more toward opposition to Him - as individuals and consequently as a Nation: a people established in a commonwealth based upon laws intended to be coincidental with His.
To me that is the greater concern.
The move toward Progressivism, Socialism and ultimately, tyranny, and the inherent disregard and abridgement of the laws established by the Constitution, together with the movement toward the establishment of control over the intimate affairs of the lives of our citizens, is indicative of the move away from God's ways. Coupled with the same group's rejection of: 1) protecting life of the innocent and, 2) supporting traditional, God directed, families consisting of two parents, one male and one female, committed to propagating, protecting and instruction their offspring, forces one to conclude that our society is indeed in deep trouble (nothing new here - right?).
The removal of God's blessing and support of our society and our Nation is most evident. So, while I am greatly concerned with any abridgement of our rights under the Second Amendment and other guarantees of the Constitution, and while I share in the concerns and anxieties of my fellow citizens, I realize that my focus is less on the current issues and more on what I regard as the primary purpose of human life in this age: am I, are we, moving toward God by internalizing His ways, and as a matter of choice, electing to follow them because we understand that only His way works? From my limited perspective in the Aspen Grove, I think we are, with increasing speed and momentum, moving toward greater and greater opposition to our Creator. That should be worthy of more discussion than the loss of the Second Amendment rights, however important that may be.
From the Grove, may this day be a good one for you and may you and yours enjoy the blessings of God!
