Non-Coercive Government

Introduction:
Non-Coercive Government?!  What pray-tell is that?  A non-coercive government is an authority that is over you in a wholly voluntary manner.  Meaning you can be under it's authority, or you can not be; your choice as well as theirs.  See the Expansion section for modern day examples.

Stance Summary:.
I willingly submit to a few non-coercive true government systems (Westside Church, Amnis corp & my Wife) and wish to be able to submit to more. However the amount of coercive submission that is required for our coercive governments makes that difficult, if not impossible. In fact, I would like to be able to have the coercive government apparatus abolished and only voluntary forms be erected.

Personal Actions Based on Stance:
A big personal action based on this Stance is probably through my marriage. Our method of not submitting it to a coercive government and only the voluntary government of Christ is really the only large action I've done on voluntary government that most people haven't done. Most people submit in some way to a place of employment, and many to a church; but they might not just view it as I do.

Expansion:
An easy example of this is the Christian life. Most Christians will agree that we have the choice to be under Christ's authority or not. He doesn't force us under His authority or force us what to do (excepting something like Jonah where he was still voluntarily under God's authority but was trying to get away from a command). Christians can either choose to be under Christ with the eternal benefit of joining him in the afterlife, or choose not to be which means that when you die you go to the only place that isn't under God's authority, and that is Hell.

A non-religious example would be your place of employment. By being gainfully employed, a large part of my life is under the authority of those in charge of my employment. It's voluntary, I can leave anytime I wish, but doing so forfeits the benefits of being under their authority (i.e. a steady paycheck, benefits, further experience, ...) Primarily, with employment my direct labor is under their authority. They have the right - by my voluntary submission - to direct my labor how they see fit. They do not have the right - because I haven't voluntarily submitted in such a manner, nor have they requested - do direct my life/marriage/religion/diet/... as they see fit.


Another example I wish to address is that of the Church, and your local church. The Church, I've partially addressed above, but will primarily address it in a different stance, see Sources for a link, but in contrast your local church is an example of an voluntary, authoritative government.  There isn't too much authority here for most people now-a-days, but because of my submission to God; the Church, and through my church I have given them the right to a certain portion of my income. I have also instilled them as an authoritative body over my marriage (see Sources for a link). and I would like to see them as more of a Law/Arbitrator authoritative body at some point in the future, though people do still go to the pastor with disputes according to Biblical church discipline. Though probably not too often.

Sources:
Marriage License - Link
Church Authority - Link

Closing:
I hope to see the disappearance of coercive governments within my lifetime. I know I will see it at the end of my life sometime, when Christ returns. But I would like to see it before as well, if possible.  I don't know if Biblically that can come around before Christ returns, but it doesn't mean we should strive for the ideal.  That would be like saying that since it is impossible to live a sinless life, we shouldn't try.  Not trying, would be a sin.

Church Authority

Introduction:
This topic is something I am still working out the logistics of in my head.  As such this Stance is surely to change over time, but I will list changes made in the comments section.

A large part of Church Authority is the proper usage of Church Discipline as discussed by Christ in Matthew 18:15-20.  Authority always has to have some negative consequences for going against their authority.  A coercive government has as their final consequence death.  A place of employment will have their job terminated as a final consequence.  A marriage might end in divorce or separation if you don't believe in divorce.  It is that final, negative consequence compared with the benefits of submission that will keep someone following "orders" and doing what they might not always be inclined to do. 

Stance Summary:
I firmly believe (though like I said I am still working out the logistics) that the Church should take a bigger role in arbitration and law amongst those who call themselves Christians.  We are told that excommunication should be the final negative consequence of not following God's Laws.  We are commanded not to take fellow believers to secular courts.  Now, it is really just the application of these that needs to be worked out. 

Personal Actions Based on Stance:
I have studied and continue to study the theoretical approach to, the history of, and the application of private legal services.  I am to make a contribution somehow, someway in expanding this into the Church.

Expansion:

Sources:
Church Discipline: Matthew 18:15-20 - Link
Taking Christians to secular Courts: 1st Corinthians 6:1-7 - Link


Closing: