Michael Knowles Reminds Us That Religious Theocracy Is Conservatism’s Goal

Daily Wire pundit Michael Knowles claims that liberals fear politicians that believe in God because they think that will cause those politicians to "...do all manner of terrible things." Knowles disputes the idea of Divine Right Monarchs being considered tyrants: "...that isn't true. the idea of Divine Right Monarchy is, actually, that there is a limit on the power of the monarch."
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[@lazersly]

Beware anyone who says they're accountable only to a character who exists in their mind.

[@zentai5076]

put this on a tshirt

[@kaelandin]

@@Roger-fs5yo And by ending "this entire thing" what do you mean by that?

[@Linguae_Music]

@@Roger-fs5yo lol 🦆 (quack quack)

[@Linguae_Music]

@@Roger-fs5yo Nice! ;D

[@knavishknight]

@@Roger-fs5yo "I had roast duck with my lady friend last weekend. It was pretty cool😎." r/ThatHappened🙄

[@WaluigiMangione]

“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.”

[@52flyingbicycles]

Right wing ideology is the ideology of hierarchy: ranging from belief that it is a random or inevitable result of how things work, to a desirable state of being that must be enforced at all cost

[@Riskofdisconnect]

​​@@52flyingbicycles think it was Kropotkin that once said "Anarchism is the left wing of socialism."

[@WaluigiMangione]

@@52flyingbicycles The cruelty of reactionary ideology is literally the point!

[@goofusmaximus1482]

The far right consists of people who are fanatically certain that they are the only moral agents humanity has to offer.

[@vanpeters9751]

Plenty of black people protected by law but homeless people are bound by it

[@tyalley7904]

A common retort when you bring up the treaty of Tripoli with religious folks, they will tell you that the actual treaty that was sent to Tripoli did not include the "we are not a Christian government" part. While that may be true, If you encounter this just let them know that the version with the denunciation of Christianity being the foundation of our government was published in newspapers and the entire Congress approved the version that had that statement in it.

[@tenkenroo]

There’s also the first amendment that forbids a state religion

[@tyalley7904]

@@tenkenroo haha true. I wish that was enough for some folks.

[@66Sixxy]

​@@tyalley7904 Right. They never do seem to quite understand that part.

[@clarissanavarro2762]

@@66Sixxy Amazing it's almost as though their eyes glaze over that part. Though they also misunderstand the Second ammendment. The second ammendment was about State Militias being armed in case of a tyrannical central government. Not about Hunting, or home protection. _A well regulated Militia_ , being _necessary to the security of a free State_ , the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. It is about freedom from tyranny. The Conservatives have twisted it to mean something else entirely.

[@VitalVampyr]

@@clarissanavarro2762 "The security of a Free State" refers to protecting the nation from foreign threats. The US had no standing army when the 2nd Amendment was enacted.

[@barbiquearea]

The concept of divine right of kings was the reason Charles I would neither compromise nor listen to the opinions of others during his reign, and he even said; "Kings are not bound to give an account of their actions but to God alone." The man frequently and fragrantly skirted parliament to increase taxes in order to pay for his highly extravagant life. Hence why there was a lot of discontent throughout England, Scotland and Wales, which ultimately led to the English Civil War. Yet Michael Knowles thinks being ruled by a "God ordained" monarch is preferable to having checks and balances.

[@52flyingbicycles]

I had the unenviable position in AP Euro to argue why Charles I was the best of the four: James 1&2 and Charles 1&2 to a table of four (each representing one king). Even as a famously argumentative person, I did basically no research and gave up at the first pushback because how can you possibly defend a king so bad he got beheaded? The teacher said in all his years of doing that exercise only one person had ever gotten their table to agree Charles I was the best.

[@zomgenberg]

@@52flyingbicycles sounds like a worse case to make than what we had to do. We had to argue in favor of the geocentric model of the solar system.

[@stackhat8624]

And the guy who had Charles I executed was a religious nutter.

[@samiamrg7]

I’m upvoting because of “fragrantly,” which given the time period, is true. They either smelled like garbage or were heavily perfumed.

[@52flyingbicycles]

@@DJWESG1 it was an exercise the teacher had developed. AP teachers usually get more leeway to control their own curriculum, especially if they are one of the only AP Euro teachers in the district

[@1p6t1gms]

“America will never be a Christian nation because the moment it becomes a Christian nation it will cease to be America.” Andrew L. Seidel, constitutional and civil rights attorney.

[@jimbob9407]

America was built from Christianity you dolt….

[@rs72098]

It's been majority Christian for over 200 years, it's still America.

[@1p6t1gms]

@@rs72098 'Christianity' which is an improper term... has been around longer than 200 hundred years. I suppose that this 'faith' is responsible for everything accomplished by humans through their belief systems within the sects they created?

[@1p6t1gms]

@@jimbob9407 A delusion of God, consequently will only be ruled by an illusory thinking that only allows them to believe, but no longer to think, decide and act for themselves.

[@Israel2.3.2]

This rhetoric reminds me of door to door ministry work I was forced to do growing up. Talking with people about their beliefs made me realize that Americans are perfectly willing to outsource their relationship with authority. Theocrats are dangerous because they are willing to preach to their congregation but are unwilling to hold court when challenged, they quash dissent in their spiritual communities and spread this fear of open discourse to their members, if they are given power they will try to spread this interpersonal authoritarianism to all of us. It's even worse when considering the poor quality of conversation in most militant evangelical households, their brand of control desires an incompetent citizenry.

[@tschorsch]

They're mostly taught to bow down to authority.

[@52flyingbicycles]

My church actively encourages theological dialogue, questioning, and even dissent. The pastor is an educator, not a dictator, and theology is a lifelong practice of learning and understanding rather than a single set of rules that everyone must adhere to. Churches that prefer to treat theology as concrete and unchanging are depriving their members of spiritual needs, which is why so many become fanatics in a foolish attempt to fill that gaping void inside them.

[@samiamrg7]

@@52flyingbicycles The church I grew up in emphasized taking action in faith. That God doesn’t do things for us, that he empowers us to do things. In this spirit, the church encouraged helping and donating at homelss shelters and sponsored youth trips to do construction work in poor or disaster-stricken communities. It also hosts a Scout Troop (which I was a part of) and the Scouts take a similar view of taking action to help people. The kind of self-serving and exclusive theology espoused by so many other Christians seems so foreign to me. Like they never in their lives heard a single parable about Jesus.

[@52flyingbicycles]

@@samiamrg7 absolutely. It’s easy to forget that Christian nationalists are the minority of Christians. Most churches seek a positive impact on the world, but the crazies get bolstered by capital

[@kevinskiles2033]

I've always felt that doing the right thing is more impressive if you do it because you're moral rather than because of a fear of punishment.

[@whispersmith]

Or if you do it coz you're angling for heaven

[@LuigiMordelAlaume]

You heathen! Morals don't exist without religion - specifically Christianity. It would be chaos without the fear of God 🤣

[@sluttyMapleSyrup]

This. "If you believe everyone on Earth can only be a good or moral person via threat of divine punishment or delivery of divine reward, then I do not believe *_you_* are a good person."

[@ethanhernandez2400]

Where do you get your sense of morality ?

[@sluttyMapleSyrup]

@@ethanhernandez2400 From my conscience, which exists as a manifestation and response to evolutionary survival adaptations such as humans being communal animals and my conscience, which is a manifestation of those instincts, mixed with the capacity for empathy (which is itself a natural survival instinct), social and societal norms/pressures, as well as several other complex factors such as brain chemistry, none of which have been empirically demonstrated to be related to a divine intelligence.

[@cruzie805]

13:41 "Religion is like a knife. You can use it to spread butter, you can use it to stab somebody." - Bishop Desmond Tutu

[@52flyingbicycles]

Similar to what I say about government. Government is like a hammer. You can use it to build a house, or bash someone’s skull in

[@ilovecoffeev]

Religion is like a dick. It's fine to have one, but one you stick it in my face, we have issues.

[@TwoForFlinchin1]

But we have butter knives

[@VitalVampyr]

Also in that their main purpose is to divide things.

[@soulknife20]

@@TwoForFlinchin1 You can stab someone with a butter knife. Just takes some extra force.

[@patmacrotch5611]

Love how he says “god is a check on a monarchy” you know what kings do? They just say they talked to god and he said they (the king) are doing the right thing. God is not a check on anyone if they don’t want god to be.

[@sail2byzantium]

ALSO: The Treaty of Tripoli (@ 11:50 ff.): the only US treaty ever ratified to receive unanimous consent from--and without debate by--the United States Senate. This of course includes Article 11: "the government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

[@cameronthaijohnson]

Yeah I mean Ben Shapiro and the Daily Wire's whole project is rebranding theocratic arguments into "cool facts and logic"

[@atticusrex2691]

And totally devoid of the "feeling" that God should rule things

[@wilcee238]

Because when you think of Ben Shapiro “cool” is the first thing that comes to mind.

[@zachariahwade8482]

@@wilcee238 I think it was Barri Weiss who called him “the cool kids philosopher” 😅 Around the same time some idiot called Conservatism “the new Punk Rock” 😅

[@ColorMatching]

@@wilcee238 or facts

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@zachariahwade8482 “...the new punk rock” says someone who never understood punk rock. 😂

[@rebelvelocity6271]

The Christian Taliban.

[@johnmcgee636]

the Christoban

[@atticusrex2691]

Y'all-Qaeda

[@barbiquearea]

Dominionism.

[@nolongerblocked6210]

They'd love beheadings, hell Bannon said as much when he called for heads on pikes in front of the White House

[@ATurnip]

"Never trust a man who puts his words in the mouth of God and says it's absolute truth It's lies And it smells like death All in a day's work Taking money from the poor Why do you think that God would need your dirty money If he wants to start a holy war?" -Aurelio Voltaire.

[@DavidRichardson153]

"Religion takes in BILLIONS of dollars, they pay NO taxes, and they ALWAYS need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullsh^t story: _HO-LY SH^T!"_ - George Carlin

[@nosender2399]

​@@DavidRichardson153 You see the latter day saints 32B in hidden assets? The SEC is on their shit. 32B fkn dollars. They could literally give every human being a billion dollars and still be on top. And that's just what's hidden. Shit is sick

[@thechief043]

I don't know if any force in the history of mankind has led to more suffering and death than religion.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Magical space men in the sky lol... Don't ever fall for that obvious bs. Those who do never get to truly live life : (

[@potts995]

I’d go broader and say, “misinformation,” but religious belief is a huge part of that. I’d even go so far as to say that religious institutions instill the notion that being misinformed is a virtue, from a young age.

[@bigdaddyaen]

Ngl in a weird way Knowles statements lately have given me some hope for the country. Back in the day conservatives would have said "alright, we need people like Shapiro to bring in the moderates while people like Knowles stays in the background, letting the handful of zealots know they're welcome as well. But since you've been in the spotlight, we need you to tone it down." The fact that Knowles and Walsh are not backing down but doubling down is a good sign that they've lost all the moderates, and all that's left is the handful of zealots. It may be a larger handful than some of us thought and can still damage our body politic, but it's a sign of overall improvement they're not concerned with scaring away rational people.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Good comment. It's kinda like what biddy said about matidge recently. Keep it up azzhole, you're just scaring people away from your own dumb azz side : )

[@Eibarwoman]

I think it also means the conservatives believe they've rigged the game to where they don't need anyone other than the zealots.

[@keirfarnum6811]

That’s kind of what I have been thinking. It’s the last gasp of the conservatives and the fact that the most extreme elements are coming to the fore just shows how desperate they are. They’re losing and they’re getting more extreme as they continue to lose. They don’t realize they’re turning off the majority too.

[@Eibarwoman]

@@keirfarnum6811 I believe it's the "the zealots have figured out how to rig the game to where nobody else is needed to win anymore"

[@vinnym5607]

Part of me thinks he's an actor and will just say his lines, but sometimes I see him flash that serial killer smile and I think "yeah, maybe he's nuts."

[@TheZombiemofo]

Knowles' argument that DR rule is restrained due to accountability to god is laughably stupid to say we've got millennia worth of examples that DR rule has no accountability. 🤦‍♂️

[@andredunbar3773]

James Madison, hell probably all of the founding fathers, would likely agree with your assessment: "Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise.... During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution." James Madison

[@52flyingbicycles]

History is full of very powerful and very religious people who clearly did not fear Hell in the slightest. In fact, many believed all their twisted actions were totally justified and deluded themselves into thinking they were the sure fire route to heaven

[@sonic8005]

Funny how "God" will basically let anybody do all the talking for him huh is it not?

[@atticusrex2691]

His omnipotence is too great to waste on communicating simple messages

[@jamesvonborcke]

@@atticusrex2691 Could he spend just a enough to pick messengers that aren't complete idiots, hypocrites or snakes? It would go a long way of improving delivery.

[@cannibalgrape9863]

@@atticusrex2691 That's not how omnipotence works. All acts would be equally petty. No act would require more or less effort than another. All would be equal. Think about the true nature of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.

[@atticusrex2691]

@@jamesvonborcke from what I've read, he's quite fond of snakes. He once basically let decide the fate of humanity because he couldn't bear to strike the little thing down.

[@atticusrex2691]

@@cannibalgrape9863 I was being sarcastic my guy

[@Flutterbleau]

I'm surprised but also not surprised the narrative changed so much in the republican realm. As a kid I was always told "we came to found America because we wanted to worship freely without being told which religion to have." I mean, it was more of a way to flip off Catholics, but it at least had the vague tone of religious freedom. Guess they're dropping the act entirely now

[@teo2157]

Considering almost every single on of the DW personas have differing religious beliefs: There are Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Non-Denominational, Agnostics. That doesn’t really make any sense

[@benwolf2929]

Which is funny since Knowles is a Catholic.

[@chunkouzbouzargh5714]

I've always found Catholics the most right wing and condescending but idk about your day

[@markwilliams2620]

​@@benwolf2929 Himmler was a devot Catholic.

[@jamesmatthewson9452]

Never trust anyone who can clear their conscience by asking forgiveness from an imaginary friend who lives in the sky

[@freeluigi4444]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@freeluigi4444]

I absolutely love this… Going to steal it… And maybe ask for forgiveness lol

[@okocha7914]

But we should trust people who thinks that men can get pregnant?🤣🤣🤣😆😆😆

[@misterman2830]

​@@okocha7914 Yes. We understand the difference between sex, gender, and sexuality.

[@johnjohn2570]

2006 atheist posting

[@marcboss6]

He just named the Republican Party. Literally a party that thrives on gluttonous wrath

[@benddover4300]

You are my hero.

[@rs72098]

If Democrats didn't pander to the small vocal atheist left, they'd win every election.

[@66Sixxy]

​@MadReese69 And when you remind them that only God has the right to judge, as written in their precious Book of Books, they try to explain that they are,in fact, only reminding you of your sin, not actually judging you. Because they don't even know how to be honest with themselves. They also try to tell you that whatever was said or done in the Old Testament no longer applies because Jesus...then they go on & on, blathering things from the old test

[@sluttyMapleSyrup]

​@@66Sixxy If they were honest with themselves, there'd be less fundies worldwide.

[@notuxnobux]

I thought it was the democratic party that want big government socialism?

[@NeedsContent]

If someone's only moral compass depends on supernatural retribution... they have no moral compass.

[@nickradic]

How do you ground morality in a athiest worldview? Do you believe in objective morals?

[@jbass3036]

nico belecic Good point! If morality is subjective as opposed to objective, then right and wrong truly don’t exist because what would be wrong for one person is right for someone else and vice versa. Opinions can differ between people, but when people don’t appeal to the objective source of morality (from God revealed in His word), chaos ensues and the ultimate tragedy isn’t the potential physical harm (although such would certainly be a tragedy) but the lost souls in eternal punishment. (2 Thess. 1:8-9) We need to return to Jesus for life! (John 14:6)

[@461weavile]

​@@nickradic yeah, luckily, Christians are taught to care more about the reward than the punishment. It just so happens that the Greeks 2000 years ago needed the punishment to be more obvious. I doubt you'll get a response, because the conversation usually goes like this. "I just naturally have morals as a human." "So morals were instilled in you when you were created?" "Yes, that's what makes us different from animals." "So you're saying God did it but you refuse to call Him 'God.'"

[@ericpitts4979]

My imaginary friend also keeps me in check when I do a tyranny.

[@noheroespublishing1907]

Religion - An empty sack that people stuff their bigotry into. God - A nonexistent authority that you can gesture at that justify anything you want.

[@barbiedahl]

There's no hate like Xtian love.

[@knavishknight]

How dare you censor Jesus's name? /s

[@barbiedahl]

@@knavishknight 😝

[@bootskanchelsis3337]

"X" the deity formerly known as Jesus. New concept album dropping soon.

[@Mydogslove2laugh]

Exactly

[@tgriffin3059]

You poor simpleton....before Jesus, harlots were universally reviled....any consideration you ever received can be traced back to His teachings...

[@joebeaton7808]

As a Brit we were taught in school what happens when a monarchs religion doesn't approve of their way They start a new one

[@alieninthecaribbean]

Why can't their God come and clarify things? Why all this hearsay? They keep speaking FOR God. They keep saying God told them things. They keep saying God says this or that. Where is God to testify on his OWN behalf???? Why are we as a society keeping on entertaining this farce????

[@adambirkholtz8363]

My thoughts for about a decade! I hate that this is reality 😮‍💨

[@marcwilson368]

Never trust anyone who states they have the right to do what they want because their imaginary friend says they can.

[@andynarain672]

So basically Michael wants what they have in Saudi Arabia.

[@DavidRichardson153]

I will grant Michael Know-less this: at least his face is not shrinking, unlike someone else that we know. At least, not until the same witch(es) curse him too.

[@stefanfilipovits21]

It never ceases to amaze me how small the man’s face is. It’s like funhouse mirror levels of warped.

[@steveknott4255]

And then came Cromwell and the divine right of kings ended on a scaffold at Tyburn

[@maryanneslater9675]

Oh, it lingered for a while in other countries, until Louis XVI met the guillotine.

[@wickedymike]

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hopes of reward after death." - Einstein

[@jessetorres8738]

If Conservative Evangelical Christians truly believe/want the U.S. should be a "Christian Nation," which branch of Christianity are they referring to? For example, I was born & raised Baptist along with most of my family, but there are Catholics & other Protestant branch Christians in my family as well. So, if the U.S. became a theocratic Christian nation it can only be 1 branch, but are all of these people who are likely not of the same branch of Christianity really willing to do that? Furthermore, roughly 1 out of 4 Americans aren't Christian, so do they seriously want over 80 million Americans to either convert or just leave the U.S.?

[@Henshingod]

I mean, pretty much? Hell one of the reasons they worked towards the creation of Israel is so Jews could go there and leave us alone.

[@jdice6868]

Agreed

[@johnmcgee636]

@@Henshingod no.....wrong.....if all the Jews made aliyah to Israel..... then trumpets would blast from heaven.....AND ALL CHRISTIANS, both the living and the dead would rise up and meet the Lord in the air and in the clouds.....Book of the Revelation.....it would mean that those Christians would run away and avoid ALL RESPONSIBILITY for the messes they made in this country.

[@barbiedahl]

Aren't there something like 30K xtian denominations? 🤔 it'll be a hella bloodbath.🍿🍿🍿

[@barbiquearea]

They believe rights and freedoms come from God. And that Jesus alone gets to decide what is lawful and what is not.

[@iprobasco]

Thanks!

[@termsofusepolice]

Jesus lived in a time of complete gender confusion when men didn't even wear pants. Truly disgusting.

[@profjoost7601]

“With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil - that takes religion.” ― Steven Weinberg

[@rs72098]

Yet people who identify as atheists commit the majority of mass shootings in the U.S. Militant Atheism can cause good people to commit atrocities. Mao, Stalin, Idi Amin were all atheists.

[@profjoost7601]

@@rs72098 show me the evidence. Right now, the barometer firmly stands on Christian Nationalists apologizing for right wing extremists violence by referencing to some weird version of religion. Look at the situation in Israel, Yemen, Somalia or the Ukraine. God is being invoked to justify altrocities. I am not blaming religion for the altrocities, but it is quite clear that religion is being called upon to justify them.

[@AmbrosiusIII]

This quote is the opposite of insightful. I feel like a worse person for reading it.

[@stevenpb99]

While I was watching this video, it cut away to a commercial for a mega church. No joke.

[@BenjaminGlatt]

"Wrath and gluttony and lust..." Don't threaten me with a good time.

[@nolongerblocked6210]

Where do I sign up for some good ol debauchery??

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

"Know less" is constantly acting like a "know it all". I find that funny lol.

[@DavidRichardson153]

I never thought I would ever see an actual embodiment of a spoof I made of a regular Rocky and Bullwinkle skit, but I guess Michael proved me wrong, so I might as well repurpose my introduction of that spoof for him: "And now, for those of you colleagues who do NOT wish to become scholars, here is Mister Know-It-None!"

[@draxthemsklonst]

"God should be in charge" (so listen to what *I* think you should do...)

[@darkauraop5007]

You can also name it as responsibilities which comes with rights. They dont dictate you to rule thr world or die for God any if that stuff all it teaches to live in peace and harmony it is so simple and yet you guys are so confused

[@15hmael74]

Everytime I hear Knowles speak I hear John Belushi chanting, ' Toga, Toga, Toga, Toga...'

[@benmuff10]

Prager U ads running on Majority Report is hilarious

[@barbiedahl]

I love that they're wasting their billionaire bucks.😝

[@termsofusepolice]

I hate to say it but they're slowly winning me over. Dennis has the wisdom of Solomon.

[@wilcee238]

@termsofusepolice Solomon Grundy

[@joew8438]

Make sure to watch the ads. The channel makes more money if you let them play. Or at least as much as you can stand.

[@ThompsonFlash9999]

You didn't get any for $7 "not woke" 1.5 ounce candy bars?

[@skooch5769]

I grew up in a conservative family. They 100 percent want a theocracy.

[@judobongobuck]

God is a pacifier. God is a voyeur. God is not very good at public relations. God probably never changes His secret plan.

[@Tonyrg1988]

Im an athiest and ill take religious theocracy over playing along that men can be women

[@bennyv4444]

So true

[@Justinmboudreau]

Wrath, gluttony, pride, and lust -just a perfect description of Donny right there 😅

[@purevenus6359]

What the hell does this pundit think he is doing quoting John Adams out of context like this? John Adams DID a massive turn around and condemned Christianity vehemently. Notice how he left that out.

[@nohbuddy1]

He was equating "religious" with morality, not an actual religion or church in that letter

[@purevenus6359]

@NohBuddy Undoubtedly. The founders were Deists except for arguably Washington.

[@banonKING]

It pisses me off how a historic these fascist always are.

[@echolocationn]

Knowles' behaviors are very similar to Alabama Man. Hmmmmm...

[@j0j0dartiste21]

They are cut from the same cloth and like Aaron, he's just as cowardly in being honest about them

[@djdwoodward]

God thinks the Daily Wire sucks.

[@kathrynanderson8537]

I’d say Trump is one previous president that doesn’t believe in God - or at least never invokes Him and certainly was not affiliated with any church.

[@johnmcgee636]

he's his OWN GOD.....and worships and glorifies himself

[@nohbuddy1]

His ego comes first and foremost

[@barbiquearea]

He does believe in Two Corinthians.

[@erikvan9582]

He pretended like he did,otherwise the evangelical vote is an issue

[@nosender2399]

​@@barbiquearea 😅😅😅 That shit was priceless. Mfkr was about here just playin make believe, and they ate that shit up. Hes probably a big fan of the books of jobs too 😭😭

[@rini6]

I just can’t. This is ludicrous. As a species we should have moved beyond the idea of theocracy and royalty centuries ago. People like Knowles are trying to bring us back to times when people suffered more and life was just worse.

[@Atmost11]

Knowles wishes to drag us all to the dark ages permanently yet he would reserve for himself the right to come and go as it suits him

[@k.mcc.5878]

Very good segment.

[@jerrycoomberry2541]

God is the ultimate authority.

[@dspondike]

How to deal with the concept of Morality given that there is no such thing as “Free Will”. 1.) Begin by assigning the moral valence to the behavior, not the person. 2.) Develop a simple yet flexible moral code that is stable, consistent, and universal. 3.) React in a way that creates the most moral society possible using the same code for societal behavior as for individual behavior. 2A.) If your behavior increases the well-being of another, it is moral. 2B.) If your behavior decreases the well-being of another it is immoral. 2C.) The most moral thing you can do is increase someone else’s well-being at the expense of your own. 2D.) Not all behaviors have a moral valence. Morality has nothing to do with how one improves one’s own well-being except for how it affects others. People are not moral or immoral. They are their biology. Behaviors are moral or immoral. Still, people must be held responsible for their behaviors.

[@garychurch9237]

Knowles is scary as hell. I breathed a sigh of relief with Biden was inarguated but now the world is going crazy again. Worse every day. Everyone feels like something really bad is going to happen.

[@supermarx]

Get armed.

[@paularroyo3450]

​@@supermarx the bible never mentions owning a gun. Did Jesus own a six shooter?

[@nd9814]

This was genuinely terrifying. More scary than most of the horror movies I’ve seen combined sans maybe Handmaid’s tale and 1984.

[@LowCountryMatt]

It's Brazil if run by the heads from Zardoz

[@sophiepooks2174]

The sad thing is the likes of Knowles pretend to the caring, fun and easy going, yet common sense folk

[@dizzolve]

Separation of Church and State is there for a reason.

[@bootskanchelsis3337]

Zeus is gonna kick all thier heathen asses

[@tavonbrown9237]

Every war ever fought was ordained by god, every atrocity, every act of abject evil, god willed it. For the person that enacted it spoke to him and he said it was just. If you win it was just, if you lose it was just. But above all... Willed by god. So what can you not do if you believe in god? Some of the kindest people I know, do not know god, and yet all the evil ones I know have loved and expended him.

[@TheHominidShow]

Whilst I agree with a good amount of what is said at the beginning of this video, it does rather deny the fact the transgender activists (to pick just one example) are really no different to religious theocratic. In fact, it's just religious theocracy under a different banner. It alarms me that simply because they don't evoke a god, many of my fellow atheists have fallen into these religious cults of false virtue.

[@paularroyo3450]

Christian use tell me when I was ten years old that I was a bad person because I had no father. My father died in a car accident when I was seven.

[@nohbuddy1]

John Adams was so pro theocracy he helped break away from the head of the Church of England

[@joebottini1743]

"I have the right to persecute you because I am right and you are wrong." - Jacques-Benigne Bossuet

[@largesnoks6600]

Sam Seder looks like he still gets wedgies

[@crismcdonough2804]

Did they not just witness people refuse to wear a mask and get a shot to save their lives? Do they really think they can force people to go to church? 😂

[@freedomofreligion3248]

Fantastic video, people. Thanks!

[@strezztechnoid]

So where can I get all my wrath, gluttony, pride, and lust and all the rest of it. I figure Knowles hasn't seen Monty Python, "One, two, five...", and the priest chimes in "No, three sir." King Arther encounters some peasants, "So how did you become King?"

[@kevincrady2831]

Strange women lyin' in ponds distribu'in swords is no basis for a system of government!

[@DavidRichardson153]

I guess Arther and Knowles have something in common: I didn't vote for them.

[@strezztechnoid]

@@kevincrady2831 If I were going around claiming I was emperor because some water bimp lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away. There some lovely dirt down here Dennis (said by the actor in a dress, drag not-a-queen story hour).

[@wilcee238]

Why do conservatives want to give us bad sci-fi futures like “The Handmaiden’s Tale” or “The Hunger Games”? Why not good futures like “Blade Runner” or mediocre futures like “Blade Runner 2049”?

[@kcolonelx6181]

It's all gonna be Mad Max

[@wilcee238]

@kcolonelx6181 Probably.

[@TwoForFlinchin1]

Good future like blade runner??? What?

[@wilcee238]

@TwoForFlinchin1 Good in terms of movie quality not movie plot.

[@kaskus7147]

I am pretty sure people are only accountable to God upon death and you can ask for full forgiveness on your death bed. So, religion tells you exactly how to cheat the system.

[@luisostasuc8135]

There's an idea in some Chinese philosophies called "the mandate from heaven" that is actually better than the divine right of kings. The idea was that the ruler got in place because they had favor and were smiled upon by heaven. However, that also gave the people the right to decide that when horrible shit happened, it was because that favor was lost. With the divine right of kings that idea was much more suppressed, so that even the worst stuff was god's plan

[@tonyisnotdead]

so basically the ruler's heavenly favor is meaningless and has no affect on the ruler's power or the people's rights?

[@drzaius844]

“Just wait until you see a politician that doesn’t fear god” - yeah we are working on indicting that politician right now.

[@avishevin1976]

The closest we had to a politician that feared god was Pence, and look at what conservatives tried to do to him. (I don't agree with Pence's policies, but at least they are rooted in a sincere desire to do the right thing as he sees it.)

[@drzaius844]

@@avishevin1976 Jimmy Carter was at least as god-fearing. But he was good to begin with, no need for god with someone like that.

[@zer0nix]

They are not just religious fundamentalists, they specifically call to metaphysical, nonproveable justifications for their apparent evil.

[@jloiben12]

Belief in god doesn’t necessarily cause people to do bad things. However, appealing to a belief in god has very frequently been used to justify bad things

[@maryanneslater9675]

Yes. The Bible has been used to justify genocide, slavery, torture, discrimination, and domestic abuse for centuries.

[@ssmcfadyen8520]

Sad to think Micheal and conservative think they are the true Christians going to heaven

[@birdworldist]

Let’s goo king Sam!!

[@micheleriley4514]

1 John 4:20 If a man say I love GOD and hateth his brother for he is a liar for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love GOD, whom he hath not seen.1John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

[@n.h.moreno]

Thanks, TMR Crew.... I never can figure out, why---if they are going to heaven, and God is in control and their eternity will be in the presence of God and salvation is with Jesus---they need to throw my CDs away, burn my books, tear up my Slayer shirt and yell at my kid for wearing a facemask during a pandemic. Either THEY don't believe their bullcrap---or they need to feel superior. Probably both....

[@NYCBigBull]

Maybe a theocrate is far better alternative to a communist

[@tonyisnotdead]

why

[@deedelrio7744]

They want the Republic of Gilead.

[@aaronsande]

No, we DO NOT CARE whether politicians believe in God. Only that they don't bother us about it.

[@drewcampbell8555]

"Divine right of Kings" didn't originate in the 16th / 17th century, though it was invoked by Henry VIII to justify his establishment of the Church of England. Also, it was Charles I who tried to face down Parliament on that basis. Divine right of Kings (or other of similar status) goes back to the earliest civilised societies, and in religious texts predating the Torah - though it's in there too, as with anointed or prophesied rulers like David, Solomon, etc. Apologies for pedantry!

[@darkranger116]

this has been the case since ronald

[@Philbert-s2c]

True but until recently the Right Wing used code words. Now they're just out in the open about it. Reagan would never have talked about "The Divine Right of Kings."

[@jacobjohnston3983]

And what a coincidence: when God gives me orders, he only tells me to do the things that fit what I wanted to do in the first place!

[@niceguyschool]

The off screen guy, Matt? Is brilliant and will one day be famous.

[@LowCountryMatt]

I bet he'll become a head of some... 'Leftist Mafia' that probably convenes on... Thursday nights. Eh, that probably won't catch on

[@quinndawsonosgood5261]

A significant number of the founding fathers despised christianity. Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Morris to name a few.

[@Atmost11]

It is true they hated it, but their criticism was comprehensive and fair

[@quinndawsonosgood5261]

@@Atmost11 "but"? Most criticism of christianity are comprehensive and fair.

[@WokeandProud]

​@@Atmost11So is ours.

[@Atmost11]

@@WokeandProud Of course. I just want to clarify. Any good criticism has to be honest and fair, including criticism of a cult with alot of murders on its conscience, alot of torture, alot of rape, alot of manipulation, alot of breaking apart families. You have to mention the contributions, I dont feel like going through the list, I am not George Washington

[@EpicAlcatraz99]

Conservativism is King

[@Old_Jack_Ketch]

“Divine right of the monarch is actually a limit on the monarch’s power because the monarch is answerable to God…” This is the sort of idea that requires never having read a book to sound reasonable.

[@maitlanddinah2786]

God Bless You, May you learn the Word. Amen

[@christophergarrett7082]

How many wars have started over a belief in God. The constitution says freedom of religion America welcome religion of all kinds. What we don't want is you to use your religion to push laws

[@DisProveMeWrong]

Easy shortcut, don't trust anyone who says "The Libs" unironically.

[@brianedwards7142]

"Not all the water in the rough rude sea / Can wash the balm off from an anointed king; / The breath of worldly men cannot depose / The deputy elected by the Lord" Richard II act 3 by William Shakespeare. PS. Richard II ends with him being stabbed in a dungeon after being deposed.

[@anmolt3840051]

Richard III I think

[@brianedwards7142]

@@anmolt3840051 No, Richard III was killed on the battlefield.

[@bassface1018]

I for one would love to vote for politicians that don't fear god, signed A Theist.

[@52flyingbicycles]

IDK if I agree with that, even as a theist myself. If anything, hyper religious politicians seem to have a distinct LACK of fear of God. Which contributes to my theory that fear of God is just a substitute for “fear of earthly consequences”. Obviously rich people rarely face earthy consequences even for unspeakable evil, so if we wish to instill the fear of god in their hearts we don’t do it with a fiery sermon…

[@52flyingbicycles]

@@pranays in my second paragraph I specify that fear of god is really just a substitute for fear of earthly consequences. While I think legitimate fear of eternal damnation motivates only a tiny minority of the population (who are too neurotic to be a major political force), I welcome such a fear striking the hearts of politicians who act with total impunity, at least compared with what we have now.

[@TwoForFlinchin1]

​@@52flyingbicycles what's your point if you're going to replace the fear of God with earthly consequences? Isn't the entire point that isn't influenced by earthly consequences?

[@52flyingbicycles]

@@TwoForFlinchin1 the point is that “fear of god” is just a fancy way of saying for “fear of earthly consequences”. People who may face consequences for their actions on earth may be said to also fear god, but those with slim chance of ever facing earthly consequences for their sins often act with impunity, even if they claim to be religious. They will often fabricate justifications for their actions, calling them benign or even necessary.

[@Victor-it6bv]

When Sam dates a transperson, then i will believe him.

[@illinnyan4053]

LOU REED - 1972 Holly came from Miami, F.L.A. Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A. Plucked her eyebrows on the way Shaved her legs and then he was a she She says, "Hey, babe Take a walk on the wild side" Said, "Hey, honey Take a walk on the wild side" Candy came from out on the Island In the back room she was everybody's darling But she never lost her head Even when she was giving head She says, "Hey, babe Take a walk on the wild side" Said, "Hey, babe Take a walk on the wild side" And the colored girls go "Doo do doo do doo do do doo..." Little Joe never once gave it away Everybody had to pay and pay A hustle here and a hustle there New York City's the place Where they said, "Hey, babe Take a walk on the wild side" I said, "Hey, Joe Take a walk on the wild side" Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets Looking for soul food and a place to eat Went to the Apollo You should've seen them go, go, go They said, "Hey, sugar Take a walk on the wild side" I said, "Hey, babe Take a walk on the wild side", alright Huh Jackie is just speeding away Thought she was James Dean for a day Then I guess she had to crash Valium would have helped that bash She said, "Hey, babe Take a walk on the wild side" I said, "Hey, honey Take a walk on the wild side" And the colored girls say "Doo do doo do doo do do doo..."

[@2lostbikes]

Funny how when you hear someone talking about so and so being ordained by god, it always coincidentally line-ups with that person's political interests.

[@armandolarade7861]

Jesus, that wonderful leader of the Christians, he is the reason why they act and do what they do. He told them this is exactly how they should act, in the Bible Jesus said for his followers to hate every one, turn the other cheek?!?! No way, take out your AR 15 and blast away, and don't forget to buy more guns. Don't accept the others, if they don't look like you or, more importantly, act like you, game over...and he also told them to get rich, filthy rich. That is your reason for living and do horde it, don't you dare help the downtrodden, let them starve. That's exactly what Jesus stood for and they are simply applying his teachings...just following orders. That Jesus, what a guy.

[@climatecrisisdragon3628]

Nuh - uh the sky daddy said *I* get to be king and my first decree is to change pronouns of all xtians to "it/that"

[@tannerbruning868]

This is just anew version of the theocrat idea we wouldn’t have morality without god

[@DK-ss1vu]

What’s wrong with theocracy?

[@sandorski56]

"Answerable to God" = Something happens after they Die....aka, useless "Justice" to any Living person.