Jeremy Sarber

Iranian Balderdash | 111 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:27:22 +0000

Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper, said that Iran is not building nuclear weapons and CIA chief, David Petraeus, said the same thing, and the latter said he had met with the head of Mossad to convey his view. This portion of his testimony was not reported. Instead, mainstream media has pieced together two unconnected parts of his testimony and left the impression that Iran was making enriched uranium in order to conduct an attack on the U.S.

If we cut through the propaganda and take a good hard look at history, it seems an attack on Iran would be unjustified. Perhaps we have grown too accustomed to war to even second guess it.

Show Notes and Links

Obama Denies ‘Huge Number of Civilian Casualties’ in Drone War | AntiWar.com
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/01/30/obama-denies-huge-number-of-civilian-casualties-in-drone-war/

Disgraceful Reporting by the Boston Herald and Others | LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/104912.html

Irresponsible Reporting on Iran From Glenn Beck | LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/104915.html

China and Russia on Iran’s Side | LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/104899.html

Conservative Statism | 110 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:30:18 +0000

Liberals don’t like libertarianism because it’s “conservative” (whatever that means), and conservatives don’t like it because it’s “liberal” (whatever that means). I’ve long given up trying to understand what modern day American liberalism or conservatism actually means or even stands for.

It seems that for most liberals and conservatives it means whatever the Democratic and Republican Party supports at a given moment. If their team is in power (Democrat or Republican), they support an increase in the power of the government, a decrease in civil liberties, and an aggressive interventionist foreign policy, including military action. They’ll even support the same war they once protested once their guy is leading the charge. If they are not in power, they suddenly remember the Constitution and proclaim everything the majority party is doing as illegal and immoral and call for peace.

Show Notes and Links

Libertarians Are Not Conservative or Liberal | JeremySarber.com | 1/28/12
http://jeremysarber.com/libertarians-are-not-conservative-or-liberal/

What’s Really Important? Liberal vs. Conservative? or Libertarian vs. Statist? | Libertas | 14 April 2010
http://libertas.ws/news-opinion/whats-really-important-liberal-vs-conservative-or-libertarian-vs-statist/

World’s Smallest Political Quiz | Advocates for Self Government
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

Who is Ron Paul? | RonPaul.com
http://www.ronpaul.com/who-is-ron-paul/

Political positions of Ron Paul | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Ron_Paul

Conservative Exodus | 109 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:03:02 +0000

“I agree with Ron Paul on almost everything with the exception of his foreign policy views.”

I cannot count the number of times I have heard that statement uttered by conservatives in the past few months. I heard it again this morning. This is perplexing to me. When I first entered into the world of politics, I quickly became a Reagan conservative. As I understood it, conservatism was all about limited and a Constitutional federal government. That is precisely Ron Paul’s platform–much more so than any other Presidential candidates.

Even so, foreign policy is the issue called into question. Well, is our foreign policy a policy of limited government? Is it Constitutional? Is it even a good idea? I’m beginning to wonder if I am the one who has departed from conservative principles or if most conservatives are the ones who have left them behind.

Show Notes and Links

A Few Questions Concerning the War on Terror | JeremySarber.com | January 23rd, 2012
http://jeremysarber.com/a-few-questions-concerning-the-war-on-terror/

Defending Life | 108 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:42:01 +0000

The Bible is pro-life. God’s very nature is pro-life. The legal arguments for abortion are contradictory. The scientific differences between the unborn child and the child outside of the womb cannot reasonably determine the value of life.

In short, abortion is wrong. Abortion is murder. It hardly matters how you look at it.

Show Notes and Links

Pastor’s wife sends body double to sit pleasantly on front pew | LarkNews.com
http://www.larknews.com/archives/241

Musical Hiatus | 107 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:30:03 +0000

“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it,” said Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) during the film, We Bought a Zoo.

After watching this movie over the weekend and hearing the inspiring soundtrack, my love and deep connection with music has been renewed. In turn, my motivation to just write has returned.

Show Notes and Links

Jerry Maguire | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/

Almost Famous | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/

Elizabethtown | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368709/

We Bought a Zoo | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1389137/

We Bought A Zoo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Bought-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B0061TQDXM

Detestable Religion | 106 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:30:57 +0000

Love or hate? For or against? Do you stand with us or against us?

Black or white are the choices we usually limit ourselves to. There can be no other option than black or white. For instance, if we watch the Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus video floating around the Internet, most of us will either love it or hate and we then stand with those that feel the same or against those who differ.

Wouldn’t it be far less divisive to simple agree with the parts we agree with and disagree–kindly–with the parts we disagree with?

Show Notes and Links

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word | YouTube | Jan 10, 2012
http://youtu.be/1IAhDGYlpqY

Christian Politics | 105 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:30:18 +0000

Some say politics and Christianity do not mix. While I cannot totally agree, there may be some truth to that statement.

The Bible presents what appears to be a paradox in that it teaches us government is evil by its own nature and yet we are to submit to those higher powers. When we put these two ideas together, it seems we have a contradiction. How can government be an evil and also used for good within God’s own purpose?

I may have come across as fatalistic in Episode 104 of the podcast, but hopefully I’ll clear things up for you. It’s not that we have no control over the government or that we should not be involved, but the great problems we commonly lament in this country are not necessarily caused by government. Perhaps we are to blame.

Show Notes and Links

I want to thank Ann Sattley of Technically, That’s Illegal for providing Coffee & Cigarettes listeners with transcripts of the podcast. Please visit her blog and consider purchasing her book.

Political Revelation | 104 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:30:59 +0000

The Bible seems to present a strange paradox when it comes to government. Government is often presented as an antithesis to God and inherently evil by its own virtue. However, we are also taught to submit to government because it is used for good.

How do we find harmony in these two very different ideas? Where is the Christian person to stand in the world of politics?

Computerized Conflicts | 103 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:30:12 +0000

Civilization is a turn-based strategy game. The player takes on the role of the ruler of a civilization, starting with only one settler unit, and attempts to build an empire in competition with other civilizations.

The game requires a fair amount of micromanagement. Along with the larger tasks of exploration, warfare and diplomacy, the player has to make decisions about where to build new cities, which improvements or units to build in each city, which advances in knowledge should be sought (and at what rate), and how to transform the land surrounding the cities for maximum benefit.

What if we could take this same type of technology and find a way to “fight” wars with other nations without actually sending troops and dropping bombs in real life?

Show Notes and Links

“Physical” by Olivia Newton John | YouTube
http://youtu.be/vWz9VN40nCA

“Private Eyes” by Hall and Oates | YouTube
http://youtu.be/anLfoy2XsFw

“Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do)” by Christopher Cross | YouTube
http://youtu.be/G4rT9C5aV5A

Sid Meier’s Civilization
http://www.civilization.com/

Bayonet Bible | 102 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:30:05 +0000

If you break the law, in most cases, you go to jail. This is the answer to violent and even non-violent offenders in our day of enlightened minds. However, this so-called solution is costly and ineffective. It not only burdens the taxpayers with billions of dollars each year but it also produces more criminal behavior.

Robert Winthrop, a speaker of the U.S. House and a contemporary of John Quincy Adams and Daniel Webster, said, “Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.”

The bayonet is an easy tool to use. It is simple to answer the problem of crime with force and bureaucratic punishments. It is far more difficult to get to the heart of the matter–the heart of man.

Show Notes and Links

Technically, That’s Illegal [book] | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Technically-Thats-Illegal-Ann-Sattley/dp/1105013685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323550918&sr=8-1

Technically, That’s Illegal [blog]
http://www.technicallythatsillegal.com/

Wallbuilders Live!
http://www.wallbuilderslive.com/

Unrighteous Freedom | 101 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:30:33 +0000

Republican versus Democrat. Conservative versus Liberal. One politician versus another. Yey or nay on this piece of legislation and that one. Fighting. Debating. Arguing.

Have we even addressed the real problem here?

Congratulations to…

Chip Krenn

Kathy Welker

Thomas Owens

You are the winners of the CandCShow.com Coffee Mug Giveaway Contest!

Modern Pharisees | 100 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:30:44 +0000

The Pharisees were the self-appointed guardians of the Judaic religion. They were highly concerned about the moral state of Israel. The Pharisees looked around and said, “There are lots of people in this country who have degenerate moral values. In order for us to put a stop to it, we’ll have nothing to do with such people. We will not eat at table with them. We will not talk to them. We will ostracize them completely. In this way, we will faithfully uphold the highest possible moral values.”

This outlook spilled over to the Jewish chief priests of the first century. The priests even possessed a private bridge linking their homes to the temple so they wouldn’t have to mingle with the common people.

Jesus pushed the boundaries of religion to their limits. He was also a fierce critic of the priestly temple system of His day, decrying its wrongs.

If you examine Jesus’ exchanges with the Pharisees, you’ll discover a common thread. The Pharisees would ask a question on one level, and Jesus would answer it on a completely different level. The contrast was sometimes so stark that it would appear that Jesus was answering a different question.

Show Notes and Links

Don’t Be a Modern-Day Pharisee | ChurchLeaders.com
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/145958-jesus-manifesto-avoid-modern-day-pharisaism.html

Dichotomized Flock | 099 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:30:23 +0000

Strife among brethren is not always black and white. I contend it is rarely so simple. In most cases, both sides err from brotherly love and for so long that it is impossible to know who is to blame. Regardless, it often ends with the majority persecuting the minority. If they were not the majority in the beginning, a few whispers through the church can “persuaded the multitude” (Matt. 27:20) and quickly gain them the majority they need. It’s church politics at its worst. That is, until the pastor sides with the majority and begins to act as dictator instead of an ensample to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3).

It only makes sense in these trying times that we would seek to purge out the old leaven (1 Cor. 5:7). If we remove the leaven, problem solved. But have we identified the leaven? Of course, we are “not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner” (1 Cor. 5:11). Do these sins exist among our church? We are also to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). Is one or more among us guilty of this type of heresy?

With such a weighty and confusing matter, what are we to do with a divided church when the root cause cannot be determined? Or, perhaps, the root cause has been buried by misconduct on both sides?

Show Notes and Links

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway
http://bit.ly/rPvTuv

Mini Megachurch | 098 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:30:04 +0000

On Sunday morning at Horizon Christian Fellowship, a 15-member worship band cranks out praise songs and the pastor preaches with the aid of stadium lighting and jumbo-size screens. But the church, which is only eight months old, has an average attendance of just 28.

“If we build it, we believe they will come,” says pastor Rick Allen, 26, a recent Bible college graduate.

Ninety percent of the people who attend the church participate in the service somehow, either in short dramas, humorous video clips or in traditional roles like ushering. This means that at times there is virtually no audience.

“We sit and listen in shifts,” says one woman who is the lighting tech, third camera operator, head greeter and fifth grade Sunday school teacher.

Show Notes and Links

Pastor’s Facebook lists rile church members | Lark News
http://www.larknews.com/archives/3816

Mini-church acts mega | Lark News
http://www.larknews.com/archives/709

Safely Delusional | 097 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:30:44 +0000

Thanks to our media and many government officials, Americans have become conditioned to view the state as our protector and the solution to every problem. Whenever something terrible happens, especially when it becomes a prominent news story, people reflexively demand that government do something. This impulse almost always leads to bad laws, more debt, and the loss of liberty. It is completely at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and individual responsibility.

Do we really want to live in a world of police checkpoints, surveillance cameras, and metal detectors? Do we want to imprison every disturbed or alienated individual who fantasizes about violence? Do we really believe government can provide total security? Or can we accept that liberty is more important than the illusion of state-provided security?

Freedom is not defined by safety. Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference unless they use force or fraud against others.

Show Notes and Links

The Illusion of Safety | Lew Rockwell | August 24, 2011
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul760.html

Church Downsize | 096 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:30:51 +0000

Julie and Bob Clark were stunned to receive a letter from their church in July asking them to “participate in the life of the church” — or worship elsewhere.

“They basically called us freeloaders,” says Julie.

In a trend that may signal rough times for wallflower Christians, bellwether mega-church Faith Community of Winston-Salem has asked “non-participating members” to stop attending.

“No more Mr. Nice Church,” says the executive pastor, newly hired from Cingular Wireless. “Bigger is not always better. Providing free services indefinitely to complacent Christians is not our mission.”

Show Notes and Links

Mega-church downsizes, cuts non-essential members | Lark News
http://www.larknews.com/archives/574

Unnecessary Licenses | 095 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:30:28 +0000

Are government-issued licenses on businesses and particular professions necessary? Everyone from plumbers to architects to teachers to hair stylists are required to have a State-issued licence.

Every law passed is bound to have results. So long as there are law-abiding citizens, every law is going to accomplish at least part of what was intended by the law. However, what about the unintended consequences? Are there “free market” alternatives? Does any law, despite its noble intentions, mean it is a just law?

Multiple Salvations | 094 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:30:05 +0000

Too often, Bible believers assume the word save or saved or salvation means only saved eternally which is not always the case. When one becomes aware of the different ways the Bible uses these terms, he/she is more likely to consider the context and grammar as well as comparisons with other verses and avoid creating “doctrinal paradoxes”.

One of the most important principles of Bible study is to “rightly divide” the scripture as Paul told Timothy to do.

Show Notes and Links

“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth” | Basic Bible Doctrines
http://www.basicbibledoctrines.com/rightly.html

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth [Paperback] | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Rightly-Dividing-Word-Truth-Hagler/dp/B000OLIZA2/ref=cm_cmu_up_thanks_hdr

Doctrinal Abstract | 093 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:30:06 +0000

From one listener…

How do you view salvation? What does the Bible say about salvation? How does your church define salvation?

I enjoy listening to Jeremy Sarber’s podcasts on iTunes. Today, on episode #092 ‘Doctrinal Paradox,’ Jeremy talks about salvation. Several years ago, a group of us (including Jeremy) examined this and had some great discussions over this topic. I don’t understand all of this podcast, but it did make me want to dig into the topic alittle more (I am not well educated in the Bible, as I would like to be. There are still some questions that I have. — I’m pretty sure that I will always have questions).

But here is what I believe of salvation: I know I am saved. Do I deserve to be saved? No. My sins have hurt myself, as well as many others, including God. But somehow, God pulled me out of my darkness. He knew that I needed a shepherd. I was a lost sheep, heading fast down a dead end road. I battled back and forth with God, asking, “Why do you love me? I have done too much wrong, for you to take me back!” But God pointed me back to the cross. He did not send His Son to die for some sins. He sent His Son to die for all sins. My sins. Your sins. I know that I have God’s spirit living in me. And that’s a great feeling…..

Show Notes and Links

Doctrinal Abstract | 092 Coffee & Cigarettes | 11/28/11
http://candcshow.com/92

“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth” | Basic Bible Doctrines
http://www.basicbibledoctrines.com/rightly.html

Doctrinal Paradox | 092 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:30:09 +0000

Salvation must be one of the most important subjects in the Bible. However, many noted theologians agree that a scriptural paradox exists between Bible verses dealing with the sovereignty of God in eternal salvation–God working completely alone without assistance from any human–and Bible verses that appear to state the responsibility required by man if his eternal “salvation” is to become effective.

We must understand that it is man’s theology that has created the paradox by not “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” There are no contradictions in the Bible or the Bible would be divided against itself. In Matthew 12:25-29 Jesus explains how anything divided against itself cannot stand, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: etc.”

Obviously the Bible, which is the Word of Truth, could never be divided against itself by saying God is sovereign–needing no human help–in the eternal salvation of His children, but then turn right around and tell us of “works” one must perform so as to make his eternal salvation effective.

Show Notes and Links

“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth” | Basic Bible Doctrines
http://www.basicbibledoctrines.com/rightly.html

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth [Paperback] | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Rightly-Dividing-Word-Truth-Hagler/dp/B000OLIZA2/ref=cm_cmu_up_thanks_hdr

Bellum Iustum | 091 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:30:15 +0000

America is at war, in many faraway lands. By normal definitions, we are now at war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, and somewhere in Central Africa, at least. Perhaps we simply accept that as part of our lives. We are grateful for our soldiers’ sacrifices. But the wars go on. Iran and Syria, perhaps, will be the next arenas of American war – who would be shocked?

What if some of our wars are morally wrong? Sinful, to put it another way? No signed certificate from God tells us that is never the case for the United States. Even biblical heroes singled out by God for special service, such as Abraham, David, Peter, and Paul, fell into sin at times, so our country certainly could. If some of our wars are indeed wrong, thoughtless support or careless indifference would involve us, as citizens, in moral guilt.

There are some competing ideas out there. The choice for Christians generally boils down to harsh realism, just war theory, or pacifism.

Show Notes and Links

America’s Wars: A Christian Voter’s Guide | Lew Rockwell | November 21, 2011
http://lewrockwell.com/orig2/c-white6.1.1.html

Just War | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_War

No SOPA | 090 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:30:04 +0000

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is a bill that was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011, by Representative Lamar Smith and a bipartisan group of 12 initial co-sponsors. The bill expands the ability of U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods. Now before the House Judiciary Committee, it builds on the similar PRO-IP Act of 2008 and the corresponding Senate bill, the Protect IP Act.

The bill would allow the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as copyright holders, to seek court orders against websites accused of enabling or facilitating copyright infringement. Depending on who requests the court orders, the actions could include barring online advertising networks and payment facilitators such as PayPal from doing business with the infringing website; barring search engines from linking to such sites and requiring Internet service providers to block access to such sites.

Proponents of the bill say it protects the intellectual property market, including the resultant revenue and jobs, and is necessary to bolster enforcement of copyright laws especially against foreign websites. Opponents say it is censorship, that it will “break the internet”, cost jobs, and will threaten whistleblowing and other free speech.

Show Notes and Links

The Troops Support Who? | Coffee & Cigarettes Blog | Nov 18, 2011
http://candcshow.com/the-troops-support-who/

Stop Online Piracy Act | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act

Stop the Internet Blacklist Legislation Petition | Electronic Frontier Foundation
https://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/9042/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8173

Blue Locusts | 089 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:30:51 +0000

“Do you see this soldier in this checkpoint?” Iraqi Wael al-Khafaji asked a Reuters reporter, pointing to a spot just a few feet from his Baghdad barbershop. “He can do whatever he wants to me right now and I can’t say a word. Is this democracy?”

For Mr. al-Khafaji, it makes no material difference whether the checkpoint is manned by U.S. soldiers, State Department-employed mercenaries, members of Saddam’s Republican Guard, or elements of a local sectarian militia. The problem is the presence of people who claim the right to use aggressive violence to force him to submit to their will. The problem is not one of geography or affiliation; it is a matter of institutionalized immorality.

Americans who supported the Iraq war would be scandalized by Mr. al-Khajafi’s ingratitude. They would be wise to ponder his insight while examining the extent to which our own country is becoming a garrison state. They would also do well to emulate his habit of looking with acute suspicion – and no small measure of resentment – on the oddly dressed armed men who presume to exercise authority over us.

Show Notes and Links

Support Your Local Police State | Pro Libertate | November 19, 2011
http://freedominourtime.blogspot.com/2011/11/support-your-local-police-state.html

235. Occupy the Government | The Lew Rockwell Show | November 19, 2011
http://www.lewrockwell.com/lewrockwell-show/2011/11/19/235-occupy-the-government/

Christian Warmakers | 088 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:30:41 +0000

I am utterly confused and discouraged at the thought of so many Christians who will not only defend but passionately defend any war or foreign policy strategy deemed just by Republican politicians. I am confused because Christians are always fighting to inject biblical teachings into the laws throughout this country. If the Bible teaches it, it should be done, therefore, it should be mandated by law. But it seems the same principle doesn’t apply when it comes to foreign policy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” He also gave us some pretty clear instructions on how to deal with our enemies. He said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

Show Notes and Links

Return of the War Party? | Lew Rockwell | November 15, 2011
http://lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan197.html

Golden Calves | 087 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:30:11 +0000

What exactly motivated the children of Israel to build a golden calf? Did they honestly believe they could–with their own hands–build an adequate substitute for the God of heaven?

Perhaps they were merely trying to create a reason to break up the monotony of their lives as they traveled through the wilderness. After all, once the golden calf was built, they proceeded to have a feast and throw a party. In all reality, it seems they sought to fulfill the desires of their natural senses rather than walking by faith.

How exactly is a story like this one practically relevant to Christian churches? I don’t know of any Christian churches building golden calves in their sanctuaries. Maybe we should look beyond the act of building the idol and focus on what led the Israelites to want to build it in the first place.

Show Notes and Links

Join the Coffee & Cigarettes online community!
http://candcshow.com/community

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2032&version=KJV

Christarian Comeback | 086 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:30:26 +0000

How can a person be both libertarian and Christian? It’s a question I get a lot even though I’ve covered the topic many times before here on the podcast. Even so, I provide yet another defense of Christian-based libertarianism–Christarianism, if you will.

Instead of offering another elaborate explanation, I turn it back around on those who oppose my beliefs by asking them two simple questions. It’s often assumed that Christian libertarians should be the ones to provide an answer for why we believe what we believe. However, it seems fitting that Christian social conservatives should answer a few questions as well.

For instance, where do we draw the line when it comes to enforcing a moral code–biblical or otherwise–through law? What about the libertarian-like society God designed for Israel in the beginning?

Show Notes and Links

Muppets – Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem – New York state of mind | YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=654uL9sn2mA

Arrogant Dissidents | 085 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:30:10 +0000

A core issue among the Occupy Wall Street protesters is a faulty perspective. They feel the “one percent” in this country are obligated to give them even more than a life of prosperity from birth. It is not enough these companies have provided them jobs, modern conveniences, and an all-around better life.

What the “99 percent” fails to realize is they are of the top five percent when everyone in the world is factored into the equation. Are they doing for the globe’s bottom 95 percent what they demand from this country’s top one percent?

Perhaps our encouragement of good self-esteem since these individuals were kids has produced an unintended consequence: a proud, entitlement mentality.

Show Notes and Links

Afterburner with Bill Whittle: Three and a Half Days | YouTube | Oct 12, 2011
http://youtu.be/OAOrT0OcHh0

Futile Disputes | 084 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:30:59 +0000

It is my personal policy to never argue over political candidates. We all have opinions and our favorite presidential hopefuls and it’s not likely an emotion-fueled debate is going to change that. Dale Carnegie said, “You cannot win an argument.”

We can express our opinions and we can rationally discuss our differences, but when it comes to a point in the conversation–online or otherwise–where cooler heads do no prevail, there is not point to continue. We should simply agree to disagree.

Show Notes and Links

A quiz to match you to your perfect sweetheart GOP presidential candidate | Reason
http://reason.com/quiz/GOP2011/match

Culture War | 083 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:30:44 +0000

It seems Christians are desperate to hold on to any remnants we can of our religion’s influence throughout America’s mainstream culture. So much so, in fact, we have lowered ourselves to fighting for the mere image of being a Christian nation as opposed to actually being a Christian nation.

We fight to preserve the word Christmas in retail stores during the holidays, the phrase Under God in the Pledge of Allegiance, and In God we Trust as the national motto. These things have become prominent issues in our culture war. However, we have become like Israel of the Old Testament–offering a show of religion all while lacking any genuine faith.

Perhaps our focus is on the wrong fights. Perhaps “a fight” is not where our time and effort should be spent at all.

Show Notes and Links

Taking Christmas out of Christmas | Chip’s Journal | Nov 06 2011
http://chipsjournal.com/taking-christmas-out-of-christmas/

Why it’s unbiblical to affirm ‘In God We Trust’ | Think Christian | November 6th, 2011
http://www.thinkchristian.net/index.php/2011/11/06/is-affirming-in-god-we-trust-an-empty-gesture/

Christmas War | 082 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:30:44 +0000

This morning, I was reminded of a Christmas-related episode I did on a former podcast of mine last year about this time where I somewhat discouraged Christians from getting too involved in the war on Christmas. You know what I’m talking about, right? About this time every year we start forwarding emails and getting really worked up about the way the secular world is trying to remove the Christian aspects of Christmas.

First of all, the fact the secular world would attempt to de-emphasize Christianity in any sort of way should be no surprise to anyone. Have we not been reading our Bibles? The world has always been generally opposed to Christianity. However, we in the United States have become so accustomed to being predominantly Christian that it sort of throws us off to realize that may not be the case anymore. At the very least, the powers that be are not acting in favor of Christianity.

Second of all, even the celebration of the birth of Christ is not rooted in Christianity.

Show Notes and Links

Why I’m not playing defense in the “war against Christmas” this year… | Chuck’s Empty Head | November 3, 2011
http://chucksemptyhead.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-im-not-playing-defense-in-war.html

Jesus Is an Anarchist | anti-state | December 19, 2001
http://www.anti-state.com/redford/redford4.html

Anarchy Considered | 081 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:30:36 +0000

The majority of Christians want to re-appoint David-like kings to the throne by electing so-called “Christian” politicians to office, but ideally, we should want less government all the way around. Yeah, maybe things would be pretty good if we had noble men in positions of authority, but no man is perfect and eventually we’ll get the evil ones in there too.

What would you say is the best system of government? I personally believe the best possible system would be a dictatorship–that is, if God Himself was the dictator. Apart from that, most of you probably say a democracy or a democratic republic, right? Well, what if I said anarchy would best? The image of chaos and murder on the streets would probably come to your mind.

Why on earth would I think that anarchy is the best form of government? Consider the biblical examples. In the Garden of Eden, was there a State? No. There was just Adam and Eve and God. One might say, “A-ha!!! God was there and he was the ruler. So you don’t have a literal ‘anarchy.’” Two things can be said: 1) True, God was there and he was the “Ruler,” but 2) I specifically defined the government, or the State, as a human institution. In the Garden, there was no human government. The same thing can be said when God set up the nation of Israel at Sinai. God set up a priesthood to serve as mediators between God and man, but there was no human government. God was their king and they were his people.

Show Notes and Links

Where Have All the Hitchhikers Gone? | Freakonomics | 10/10/2011
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/10/10/where-have-all-the-hitchhikers-gone-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

Christianity and the State — What is the Best Form of Government | Areopagus | 02 Nov 2011
http://carlgobelman.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/christianity-and-the-state-what-is-the-best-form-of-government/

Defining Terrorists | 080 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:30:43 +0000

Ex-CIA intelligence officer, Michael Scheuer, should obviously be an expert on the subject of terrorism. Well, his analysis of America’s war on terror might surprise you.

In an interview with Lew Rockwell, he suggested we have made two significant mistakes in our approach to foreign policy. First, we’ve not neatly defined what our enemies are hoping to accomplish. Their goals are crucial in our understanding of what we should do and how to do it. Second, we’ve not neatly defined the word, terrorist. It would seem anyone our government chooses to oppose receives that title and becomes our enemy.

Perhaps the American people should seek answers to these questions before being so quick to blindly support the fight against any and all “terrorists”. It could become–if it’s not already–the modern equivalent of the Salem witch hunts.

Show Notes and Links

231. It Is ALL Blowback | The Lew Rockwell Show | November 1, 2011
http://www.lewrockwell.com/lewrockwell-show/2011/11/01/231-it-is-all-blowback/

Fruitless Laconism | 079 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:30:25 +0000

Do you ever get the impression from watching political debates on television that there are certain unwritten rules which both sides have previously agreed to follow? It’s almost as if there are subjects neither side will bring up or talk about.

I often grow frustrated listening to these debates when it becomes apparent to me neither side is willing to address the crux of the argument. For instance, politicians will debate the merits of the war in Iraq without bothering to question its constitutionality. How can the Constitution–designed to restrain government power–not be an issue worth addressing?

I believe the value of the Constitution itself is a discussion we ought to be having. If a political candidate desires a position where they will vow to uphold the Constitution, perhaps we should hold them over the fire and discover if there are parts of the Constitution they are willing to ignore.

Show Notes and Links

United States Constitution | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution

M*A*S*H “The Interview” | Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0638436/

American Exceptionalism | 078 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:30:41 +0000

I cringe whenever I hear a politician proclaim American exceptionalism. If you don’t understand that term they mean they condone America’s self-righteousness. They believe America is always right simply because we’re America. Now, I’m not trying to bash this country which I do love. But it’s crazy to think we’re always right. I used to get angry when I would hear liberals talk like this, but as many things as they may be wrong about, they’re right to say America is not perfect. We’re not always justified in our military conquests.

We have always been, for the most part, a Christian nation. We have certainly been blessed by God throughout our history. So, in turn, we feel like our cause–whatever it happens to be in the moment–is typically a righteous one. But just because many of us are going to church every Sunday and living the Christian life, doesn’t mean our government is just in everything they do. Is it godly for them to be irresponsible and put us into debt? Is it godly to legalize the murder of unborn children? Is it godly for them to intervene into our daily lives?

I’m not trying to tear down America or be completely unpatriotic. I just believe critical thinking in this case is merited. It has not ended well for nations throughout history who blindly followed their leaders in the name of patriotism. Aside from the devastation throughout the world and the many American soldiers who have been killed, let’s not forget about the civil liberties that have been lost here at home.

Show Notes and Links

The Myth of American Exceptionalism | Foreign Policy | NOVEMBER 2011
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/10/11/the_myth_of_american_exceptionalism?page=full

Unjustified Independence | 077 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:05:00 +0000

There are not too people in this country today who question the virtue of the American Revolution. It is ironic though how hypocritical we can be when it comes to the Confederacy’s succession prior to the war between the states. We may not question the virtue of America’s succession, but when the Confederacy did it, that’s a whole other story. It’s kind of hard to support one and not the other if you’re standing on any real principles.

Now, I want to throw a monkey wrench into this debate since the majority of you would side with the Americans. Of course, I’m always a proponent of thinking outside of the box. I found an article which uses some pretty strong language against the Founding Fathers of this country. If you’re a die hard patriot it might make you cringe a little or at least make your blood boil. With that said, if his information is correct, it’s worth considering.

I do not celebrate the fourth of July. This goes back to a term paper I wrote in graduate school. It was on colonial taxation in the British North American colonies in 1775. Not counting local taxation, I discovered that the total burden of British imperial taxation was about 1% of national income. It may have been as high as 2.5% in the southern colonies.

Show Notes and Links

Wall Street Couldn’t Have Done It Alone | The Freeman | October 07, 2011
http://www.thefreemanonline.org/anything-peaceful/wall-street-couldnt-have-done-it-alone/

Is the US Declaration of Independence illegal? | BBC News | 19 October 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15345511

Tricked on the Fourth of July | Lew Rockwell | July 4, 2011
http://lewrockwell.com/north/north1002.html

Government’s Nature | 076 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:30:59 +0000

George Washington described government in the most articulate way I’ve ever heard. He simply said government is force. He was not talking about any government in particular. He was talking about the very nature of government.

In our country, we are often tempted to believe the principles and propensities of authority do not apply to us since we live in a democratically-elected republic. However, those in power are still those in power. I liked the line from The Patriot when Mel Gibson said, “Why should I trade one tyrant 3,000 miles away for 3,000 tyrants one mile away?” His point was simple. One man in power is no less dangerous than 3,000 men in power.

Government is force because they are the ones who make the rules and have the power to enforce those rules. When they pass a new law, freedom is revoked because choice is removed. If they pass a law which requires we do something, we have no choice but to do it unless we wish to be punished through fines, jail time, or possibly worse. If they create a law which forbids us in some way, we are faced with the same problem. The government has an army of men with a stockpile of the greatest weaponry on the face of the earth to make sure we comply. They have their disposal all facets of law enforcement including the police and military. Law enforcement is not a separate entity. They are government and they do the government’s bidding–justified or not.

Show Notes and Links

Eve of Destruction (song) | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eve_of_Destruction_(song)

THE NATURE OF GOVERNMENT | The Ayn Rand Center | December 1963
http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=arc_ayn_rand_the_nature_of_government

Charitable Sense | 075 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:30:24 +0000

You’ll notice in the Old Testament of the Bible, handouts were rarely given. If someone was going to be helped by another, they were required to work for it. In the time of Moses, if a person needed help, but they would go to someone else and offer to work for them in exchange–not for money–but for food, clothing, and a place to stay. Hard work and personal responsibility are very much godly virtues. There is no welfare system introduced in the Bible which would discourage hard work and personal responsibility.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

The issue is not whether we help certain people. The issue is how we might go about helping these people. American churches have spent billions of dollars on mission trips but only a relatively small number of people have been helped or converted in the process. Maybe we’re not going about things in the most efficient way.

Show Notes and Links

Do church food pantries do more harm than good? | Think Christian | October 21st, 2011
http://www.thinkchristian.net/index.php/2011/10/21/do-church-food-pantries-do-more-harm-than-good/

Moral Foundations | 074 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:01:23 +0000

I was reading some articles on Reason Magazine’s website this morning and I came across one about the Occupy Wall Street rallies. The article was very interesting to me because it proposes a theory about the way in which we can categorize the moral concerns of pretty much any political movement or culture of ideas. They list six basic moral concerns we have.

First, there is care versus harm. Second, fairness versus cheating. Third, liberty versus oppression. Fourth, loyalty versus betrayal. Fifth, authority versus subversion. Last but not least, sanctity versus degradation.

As you can see, they have expanded my take on the various political ideologies. I described our political differences as being a matter of liberty versus tyranny but they add five other virtues, if you will, to the list.

Show Notes and Links

Rush Limbaugh on Ron Paul’s Budget Plan | YouTube | Oct 17, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6vGk1wdJKA

Ron Paul’s Bold Budget Plan Draws Cheers, Jeers | The New American | 20 OCTOBER 2011
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/9442-ron-pauls-bold-budget-plan-draws-cheers-jeers

RON PAUL “PLAN TO RESTORE AMERICA” | Ron Paul 2012
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/ron-paul-plan-to-restore-america/

The Moral Foundations of Occupy Wall Street | Reason | October 20, 2011
http://reason.com/archives/2011/10/20/the-moral-foundations-of-occup/singlepage

Neocon Flaws | 073 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:30:14 +0000

I was neocon for several years but then I read The 5000 Year Leap for the first time. In the beginning of that book, the author talks about how the Founding Fathers were very interested in studying ancient Israel of the Bible when they were forming our own government. After some time went by, I studied Israel’s original, God-given government system even deeper. What I found was the Founders of this country did take some core principles from Israel and implement them here, but they also strayed considerably from what Israel actually was. They were not a constitutional republic. They were a theocracy in the sense they were actually free to be governed by God as opposed to being governed by man. Outside of having laws to protect the fundamental rights of the people, there were no laws and there was no government to speak of.

It changed everything for me and led me down the road towards libertarianism. Now, libertarianism is sort of the best of both worlds. Practical libertarianism in this country doesn’t go as far as what Israel was, but it’s sort of the next best thing. At the very least, libertarianism doesn’t seem to have nearly as many loopholes and sheer hypocrisy as neoconservatism does.

Christians are turned off by libertarianism because of the moral sins libertarians would allow or let be legal in their ideal situation. You have to keep an open mind though. When God Himself established the nation of Israel, like I said, outside of protecting the fundamental rights of the people, He did not require additional judicial laws. As for issues of personal morality, God left Himself to be the judge of those matter. It’s a very dangerous thing to allow men to judge men in issues of morality and godliness since we all have very different ideas as to what is right and wrong. Think of it this way. Some people in this country believe even Christianity is wrong. What if they became the majority and starting passing laws against our religion?

Show Notes and Links

Christianity and Libertarianism | The Areopagus | Sep 16 2011
http://carlgobelman.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/christianity-and-libertarianism/

The 5000 Year Leap | National Center for Constitutional Studies
http://www.nccsstore.com/5000-Year-Leap-MP3-eBook/productinfo/5000YL/

Expired Constitution | 072 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:45:36 +0000

To borrow Jefferson’s metaphor, the federal government has clearly broken free from the chains of the Constitution. So, what exactly is left to tether the government? We pretty much rely on voters to do that but the power of the voters is not that much power at all. Basically, government officials are only limited by their own prudence–they are only limited by what they think they can get away with.

So, the Constitution is dead. That’s my grand conclusion on the matter. The question then becomes what do we do about it? Now, the popular response is we need to elect people into office who are willing to uphold the Constitution. But I see one fundamental problem with that so-called solution. The reason the Constitution hasn’t been working is because as long as certain people have the power to make the rules in this country and enforce those rules, no Constitution can bind them.

Think about it. Here sits the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land. It’s not just loose guidelines for government to go by. It’s the law. But the very body of people obligated to follow that law–the ones the Constitution was written for–are the very ones in charge. They have the power to write whatever new laws they want and to enforce them. The power to legislate and the power of law enforcement and even the military is in their hands. The only additional branch of government charged with the responsibility of holding the President and the lawmakers subject to the Constitution is the judicial branch and they themselves are ignoring the Constitution. They have that liberty because there’s no one to hold them accountable.

Show Notes and Links

Can’t Buy Me Love | Science Daily | Oct. 14, 2011
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013085237.htm

Law and Government: Insights Into Christian Justice | Kingdom Watcher
http://kingwatch.co.nz/Law_government.htm

Condemning Assumptions | 071 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:30:27 +0000

Someone sent me a direct message on Twitter the other day. She said, “I want to know if I am going to hell. Theoretically, of course. I was saved then I decided I don’t believe in Jesus years later. I did sincerely believe. Now I sincerely don’t. My dad–a minister–says I am going to hell. But I’m confused as to why.”

This seems to be a very common occurrence these days. Maybe it’s always been. I don’t know. But there are a lot of preachers bluntly telling others they are going to hell. I have known of people on their deathbed who have been told by a minister that he can’t preach their funeral because they’re not saved. Some minister, right? You’re dying and you’re going to hell. Good luck to you.

This is something that disturbs me on many levels. Primarily, it disturbs me because no one can rightfully make that assumption about another person. How can we possibly know? It’s a bit funny. If I was to tell another person they are committing a sin and I knew it because I had seen it with my own two eyes, they are likely to say to me, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” Yet, many Christians apparently feel entirely comfortable telling someone they are going to hell. Is it just me or there something wrong with this picture?

Show Notes and Links

False Teacher Joel Osteen: The Gospel | YouTube | Sep 21, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKF_QgNezBY

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway
http://bit.ly/pfWR6o

Freedom’s Value | 070 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:30:16 +0000

I have to admit, I live in a bubble. I think a lot of people do. Most of the people I interact with daily are like-minded individuals. They are conservatives and libertarians. The vast majority of them are Christians. I do have some liberal friends, but very few in comparison. So, I don’t hear much of the opposing views on these political topics. I hear what the conservatives and libertarians are saying, but I’m not reading or hearing much in-depth commentary from liberals on these things.

However, once in awhile, I step outside of my bubble and I look to see what liberals are saying. It’s fascinating to see the differences between the right and the left. There are sincere people on both sides who want to do things that would improve the nation altogether. Obviously though, they often have very different ideas as to what might be a good step forward. For instance, both believe in compassion and trying to help the poor. But one side says we should lower taxes and diminish government welfare and allow private citizens to keep more of their money to in turn give to the poor while the other side supports taxing the wealthy and providing more government welfare.

The question is how can they have such fundamentally different approaches to these problems?

Those on the left are very much concerned with the same issues we are on the right, they just don’t view freedom as this higher ideal like we do. For me, I believe freedom is even a godly, biblical principle. I love that verse from Leviticus which says, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” But many don’t feel the same way about it. It’s not that they don’t want freedom, it’s just a cherry on top that would be nice but there are more important things. For instance, they believe helping the poor, protecting the environment, ensuring equality, and things like this take priority over freedom. In fact, it would be selfish to put individual liberty over some of these other things.

Show Notes and Links

The Orwellian Efficiency of a “Being Fat” Tax | Freakonomics | 10/10/2011
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/10/10/the-orwellian-efficiency-of-a-being-fat-tax/

Security Overkill, Diaper-Changing Edition | Freakonomics | 10/12/2011
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/10/12/security-overkill-diaper-changing-edition/

Perpetual Bloodshed | 069 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:30:37 +0000

What would you tell your kid if he came home one day from school and said, “There’s this bully at school and I’m scared of him.” You’d probably try to get some more information, right? You might ask, “Well, has he said anything to you? Has he done anything to hurt you?” To which your child responds, “No, he’s never done anything to me. But I’ve heard him to talk to others about how much he hates me and I think he’s capable of beating me up or something.”

What do you tell your child in that case? He can’t tell the principle or the teacher because the other kid hasn’t actually done anything to him. You certainly wouldn’t tell your child to strike first before the bully has a chance to strike him. At least I hope you wouldn’t. No, you would tell him only after the bully has done something should he respond. Why shouldn’t we apply the same principles in our foreign policy?

No more entangling alliances. No more interventions. No more nation building. No more covert missions to aid a nation’s war efforts against another. No more overthrowing governments. No more preemptive strikes. Let the military serve its purpose which is the defense of this country. Let’s return to the foreign policy held by our Founding Fathers.

Show Notes and Links

Willful Ignorance | 068 Coffee & Cigarettes | October 10, 2011
http://candcshow.com/willful-ignorance-068-coffee-cigarettes/

Willful Ignorance | 068 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:30:21 +0000

I’ve had a bit of a revelation. What if the truth doesn’t matter? I’m not asking a philosophical question. What if you are trying to persuade a person based on what you believe to be the truth and that person doesn’t care about the truth? What if that person wishes to remain ignorant?

It’s a revelation that changes everything. I haven’t even begun to consider the implications of this. I remember when I was a lot more conservative than libertarian and I would argue against liberals and think, If only I could show them the truth. If they knew the truth, not only would we finally agree with one another, their lives would be forever changed for the better. But what if someone doesn’t care about the truth? What if they would rather live in ignorance?

I have shelves and shelves of books filled with political commentary in my office. Most of them are trying to prove to the reader their political ideologies are right. They are defending their positions with numbers and statistics and facts. They want the reader to acknowledge the truth they are presenting. However, with all of the books that ever been written, with all of the debates that have ever been had, people are still disagreeing with one another. When we can’t get the other side to agree, we accuse them of being ignorant and we continue trying to educate them. If only we can get them to learn. Maybe they have learned. Maybe they know the truth and just don’t care.

Show Notes and Links

In a Relationship, and It’s Complicated | Lew Rockwell | June 2, 2011
http://lewrockwell.com/gregory/gregory216.html

Bible references in this episode | Bible Gateway
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%207:6,%20Matt%2010:14&version=KJV

10,000 Representatives | 067 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:30:46 +0000

In Article 1, Section 2 of the US Constitution, it states that there should be no more than 30,000 “Free Persons” per representative.

For the year 1800, then, with a total US population of 5.3 million, one Representative per 30,000 citizens equals about 177 Representatives.

As the population grew, Congress decided that it needed to limit the size of the House of Representatives. In 1910 they decided to set the limit at 435 members. Since the population of the US at that time was about 92.2 million, that meant each member of the House represented approximately 212,000 citizens. By 2010, with the population just below 309 million, each member represented about 710,000 citizens.

What if we did expand the number of representatives we have in the federal government? What if we did have 10,000 representatives? What do you suppose would be some of the problems there?

Show Notes and Links

Power in too few hands | Government by Contract | 2011Aug25
http://governmentbycontract.com/2011/08/25/power-in-too-few-hands-2/

Are You an Imperial Christian? | Libertarian Christians | Oct 7, 2011
http://libertarianchristians.com/2011/10/07/are-you-an-imperial-christian/

Constitutional Candidate | 066 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:30:51 +0000

It seems among the GOP candidates for president, the media has already chosen Mitt Romney to be the guy we vote for. Among Christians and Tea Party conservatives, Herman Cain seems to be the top choice. I will tell you, if Romney wins, I will not be voting next year because there won’t even be a lesser of two evils to choose from. That’s my opinion anyway. As for Herman Cain, I believe my thoughts were pretty well summed by James Ostrowski yesteday on LewRockwell.com.

He said:

Now that Herman Cain has become the latest Great Neocon Hope, I took a quick look at his website. Like the GOP-controlled House, he is unable to come up with a single department, agency, or even program to cut. While he doesn’t use the meaningless cliche “waste, fraud, and abuse,” he alludes to it. That is, he wishes to assure the rank and file that he will cut spending but wishes to assure all those who receive federal spending that he actually will not. Cain proposes new taxes such as a national sales tax and a Fair Tax which he claims will be “revenue neutral.” Accepting that dubious assumption leaves us with huge deficits which will of course mean that the Fed will need to finance the debt with inflation and continue the bubble/bust cycle. Yawn.

As you probably know, I have defended and supported Ron Paul this time around. Obviously, it’s not because I’m merely going along with the majority. Half of the people write him off as a kook and the other half ignore him altogether. However, I do feel like he’s the best candidate for the job. I understand why the American left doesn’t like him. But I really don’t understand why the American right doesn’t like him. They’re all tired of the Constitution being treated like toilet paper, but Ron Paul has been the Constitution’s most staunch defender. The very things I hear conservatives criticize him for are right there in the Constitution. At the very least, he’s related some of the very same wisdom bestowed to us by the Founding Fathers.

Show Notes and Links

Herman ‘No Pain’ Cain | Lew Rockwell | October 5, 2011
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/96117.html

Five Lies of the Religious Right About Ron Paul | Libertarian Christians | October 6, 2011
http://libertarianchristians.com/2011/10/06/five-lies-of-the-religious-right-about-ron-paul/

President Caesar | 065 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:30:49 +0000

September 30, 2011 was the day America was assassinated.

Some of us have watched this day approach and have warned of its coming, only to be greeted with boos and hisses from “patriots” who have come to regard the U.S. Constitution as a device that coddles criminals and terrorists and gets in the way of the President who needs to act to keep us safe.

Many expected President Obama to re-establish the accountability of government to law. Instead, he went further than Bush/Cheney and asserted the unconstitutional power not only to hold American citizens indefinitely in prison without bringing charges, but also to take their lives without convicting them in a court of law. Obama asserts that the U.S. Constitution notwithstanding, he has the authority to assassinate US citizens, who he deems to be a “threat,” without due process of law.

In other words, any American citizen who is moved into the threat category has no rights and can be executed without trial or evidence.

Show Notes and Links

The Day America Died | Lew Rockwell | October 3, 2011
http://lewrockwell.com/roberts/roberts328.html

The GOP Field | The Wall Street Journal | OCTOBER 5, 2011
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204524604576611033925049932.html

Fresh Perspectives | 064 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:30:00 +0000

Seth Godin defined rich in a way I’ve never thought of before. He said, to paraphrase, “A rich person is a person with choices. The more choices you have, the richer you are.” Obviously, money buys choices. The more money you have the more choices you have.

That’s a pretty simple concept, right? Well, let’s take it a step further because money is not the only way to increase your number of choices. Regardless of how much money you have, if you have the right tools and perhaps the intelligence to utilize those tools, you can increase your options thereby making you richer.

Our culture, in general, is one with an entitlement mentality. We all think we deserve better than what we have. All the while, we’re either frantically trying to get better or we’re blaming the world around us for why we don’t have better. The irony is people who have far less or much worse circumstances can be just as happy if not happier than we are. How we do explain that? Well, it’s simply really. They have a better perspective on things than we do.

Show Notes and Links

We Are All Weird | Marketing Over Coffee | September 27th, 2011
http://www.marketingovercoffee.com/2011/09/27/we-are-all-weird/

Atlas Shrugged | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:58,%201%20Cor%207:29-31&version=KJV

Marketing Wars | 063 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:30:32 +0000

Patriotism is such an important ideal in this country. People, especially conservatives, love to brand themselves patriots. It provides this sense of fulfilling a moral obligation as a citizen of this country. Maybe that’s true to extent, but I also believe patriotism can be a very dangerous thing.

Let me read to you a quote from Mein Kampf:

What we have to fight for is the necessary security for the existence and increase of our race and people, the substance of its children and maintenance of our racial stock unmixed, the freedom and independence of the Fatherland, so that our people may be enabled to fulfil the mission assigned to it by the Creator.

I want you to forget everything you know about Hitler. Let your mind travel back to the time before everyone realized what Hitler would do. Hitler was giving speeches about how Germany was a nation blessed by God. It stood out from the rest of the world. For that reason, the German way of life should be defended against all enemies–those within and those without. He would quote the Bible and talk about bringing an end to communism once and for all. He would talk about the threat of Judaism and how it had the potential to corrupt the nation. He would talk about freedom and the rights of the people.

Here’s my question for you: Does any of this sound vaguely familiar?

Show Notes and Links

Demonizing Nationalism | Our Race Is Our Nation
http://library.flawlesslogic.com/finance.htm

Mein Kampf | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mein_Kampf

Name Me a Single War that was Worth It? | The Altucher Confidential | May 23rd, 2011
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/05/name-me-a-single-war-that-was-worth-it/

American Commandments | 062 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:30:07 +0000

There’s a great post on the Freakonomics blog called, The Ten Commandments of the American Religion.

If I stood in the center of Times Square and said something like “Moses didn’t really part the Red Sea,” or “Jesus never existed,” people would probably keep walking around me, ignoring what I said.

But if I stood there and said, “Going to college is the worst sin you can force your kids to commit,” or “You should never vote again,” or “Never own a home,” people would probably stop, and maybe I‘d be lynched. But I would’ve at least gotten their attention. How? By knocking down a few of the basic tenets of what I call the American Religion.

We’ve all been so inundated with certain golden rules in this country that even questioning those rules will get you labeled a crazy person. How dare you suggest our kids shouldn’t go to college?! Well, have you done the math? Have you considered what a degree will cost versus what they’ll be able to make in their chosen profession?

Getting back to the post on the Freakonomics blog, the author goes on to list what he sees as the ten commandments of American culture.

Show Notes and Links

The Ten Commandments of The American Religion | Freakonomics | 09/28/2011
http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/09/28/the-ten-commandments-of-the-american-religion/

Judicial Simplicity | 061 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:30:29 +0000

I want you to close your eyes and try to imagine a perfect nation. Are your eyes closed? What do you see? Now that you have that image in your mind, I want to focus on one part of this hypothetical country. Take a look at the government. No, not the President. Not the Congress. I want you to look past the buildings and the politicians. I want you to see the law. What does the law of the nation look like? Because the law is essentially the foundation for the entire country.

I’ll tell you what it looks like to me. In fact, I will list every law I believe should be on those law books.

Show Notes and Links

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2021-23&version=KJV

Unrepentant America | 060 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:30:14 +0000

Everyone has a different idea about how to get this country on track but most people do agree it is off track. Something needs to be done. One guy is talking about the tax rate, another is talking about regulations on businesses, another is talking about media bias, another is talking about the need for a new president, and so on and so on. The problem is there aren’t too many people actually addressing the problem. We are pointing out all of the different layers of the problem–some of the by-products of the underlying problem–but not too many are really hitting on the core problem.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a French historian who lived in the 19th Century, is commonly quoted as saying, “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” I have never been able to find where or when he said that but the quote provides a pretty good summary of what de Tocqueville discovered during his first-hand study of the United States.

Show Notes and Links

Alexis de Tocqueville | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_de_Tocqueville

Democracy in America (Signet Classics) [Paperback] | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Democracy-America-Signet-Classics-Tocqueville/dp/0451528123

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2013:1,%20hebrews%206:1&version=KJV

Statistically Deceived | 059 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:30:32 +0000

Numbers don’t lie. Statistics can be misleading. Odds can only be accurately calculated if we factor in the full weight of God’s ability in our lives.

When David stared up at Goliath and the odds of David winning that fight were calculated, I’m sure the odds were against him and most everyone was betting on Goliath. Goliath was the champion of the Philistines. He was a man of war from his youth. He was trained in modern warfare. He had experience. He had the finest weapons. David, on the other hand, was young, inexperienced, lacked any formal training whatsoever, and only carried with him to battle a staff, a sling, and five smooth stones. Yet, David won that fight. If the equation was figured out on paper it would have looked like David plus Goliath plus a fight to the death equals David’s death. But realistically, the equation was David plus God’s favor for David plus Goliath plus a fight to the death equals Goliath’s death. We cannot take God out of the equation.

Show Notes and Links

Ron Paul wins California straw poll | Politico | 9/17/11
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63758.html

The Conservative’s Handbook: Defining the Right Position on Issues from A to Z | Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Conservatives-Handbook-Defining-Position-Issues/dp/1581826621

Freakonomics Books | Freakonomics.com
http://www.freakonomics.com/books/

Freakonomics Blog | Freakonomics.com
http://www.freakonomics.com/blog/

Freakonomics Radio | Freakonomics.com
http://www.freakonomics.com/radio/

Statistics, Decision-Making, & God | Life & Theology | September 26, 2011
http://www.benreed.net/index.php/2011/09/26/statistics-decision-making-god/

Godly Property | 058 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:30:31 +0000

Every human being has three very fundamental rights and those rights should be preserved and protected. Any law created beyond protecting those rights is unnecessary at best. Through the laws given by God to ancient Israel, we are taught to protect the right of every man to have life, liberty, and property. Our own Declaration of Independence describes them as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Why was God so determined to protect the property rights of His people? Isn’t a love for property generally considered to be a bit materialistic? Aren’t we to focus on treasures in heaven rather than treasures on the earth? Why create so many rules for the people of Israel to follow concerning property rights?

Show Notes and Links

United States Declaration of Independence | Wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

John Locke | Wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke

Church Fatigue | 057 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:30:42 +0000

Was Jesus Christ a revolutionary? Various contemporary Christian authors and preachers love to give Jesus that title. They view our Lord as being one who shook up the system, broke all of the traditional rules, and stuck it to the man–the man being the Jews and their religion in most cases.

Shane Claiborne, for instance, wrote a book titled, The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical. During college, a professor remarked, “Being a Christian is about choosing Jesus and deciding to do something incredibly daring with your life.” Taking up that challenge, Shane felt led to return Christianity back to its root which defines “radical” in his mind. Unfortunately, his zeal has very little room for the church.

Many people with Shane’s way of thinking have become discouraged by the church for one reason or another. Some feel churches are judgmental. Some feel churches demand too much time and commitment. Some feel churches are too bogged down with man-made traditions. Whatever the reason, there is a growing sentiment among many sincere Christians that church is not necessary for discipleship.

Show Notes and Links

121 About The Church – Not Going To church Anymore! | Cliff Ravenscraft | SEPTEMBER 22, 2011
http://gspn.tv/121-about-the-church-not-going-to-church-anymore/

Facebook Lamentations | 056 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:30:21 +0000

Oh, how the social media masses have lamented the new changes to Facebook. Not only does the popular social networking website look different, but an important feature for many–the “Most Recent” Newsfeed–has become very difficult to access.

Every social network is a little different and has things to offer the others do not. Facebook is not the only option available to the masses. Perhaps it is time to step out of the box and try another such as Twitter or Google+.

Show Notes and Links

Why I Still Prefer Twitter Over Facebook | JeremySarber.com | September 21, 2001
http://jeremysarber.com/2011/09/21/why-i-still-prefer-twitter-over-facebook/

Community Church | 055 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:30:31 +0000

According to Adam McLane, churches throughout America are in trouble. More than 50% of Americans, if given a box to check, would label themselves as Christian while less than 10% affiliate with an actual church. But how do churches attract the community of people around them?

In the last decade, three general concepts have arisen and ultimately failed to reach more people. So, what is the answer?

Show Notes and Links

How to minister to god-fearers in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, pluralistic society | Adam McLane | SEPTEMBER 19, 2011
http://adammclane.com/2011/09/19/god-fearers/

Church Failure | 054 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:30:52 +0000

The ultimate failure of any church occurs when the Lord finally removes the candlestick from them. They are cut off, in a sense, and the blessings dry up. But what exactly might cause a church failure?

Based on the seven churches of Asia addressed in Revelation chapters two and three, there are five basic reasons. Each church has an obligation to consider these reasons and be watchful of themselves.

Show Notes and Links

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway.com
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%202,%20revelation%203&version=KJV

Reset Button | 053 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

George Washington said, “Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all…a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils.” This was only a small portion of the wisdom George Washington imparted to the United States of America as he was leaving office. He shared a perspective that was already widely accepted by many. The United States terminated its alliance with France, after which Thomas Jefferson admonished in his inaugural address by saying, “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.”

The non-interventionist point of view remained prevalent through 1823 when President James Monroe gave voice to what would later be termed the Monroe Doctrine. He said, “In the wars of the European powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken part, nor does it comport with our policy, so to do.”

America saw the demise of its long-standing foreign policy during the 20th century. Today, we are so deep into foreign alliances and interventions, is there even a way out?

Show Notes and Links

Ron Paul on foreign policy CNN Tea Party Debate 9/12/2011 | RonPaulSource | Sep 12, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8S3yws_88I

Devoid Rhetoric | 052 Coffee & Cigarettes

Jeremy Sarber — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:12 +0000

Ron Paul gets treated like he’s the crazy uncle at the family reunion ranting about conspiracy theories. We roll our eyes and ignore him. But if we gave him the time of day and listened, we’d hear that his ideas are extremely reasonable–even if we do not agree with him in the end.

His position on the United States’ foreign policy is especially relevant. He is not a terrorist sympathizer nor does he blame America for the attacks on September 11, 2001. But he has been critical of our foreign policy. Isn’t it possible that decades of intervention in the Middle East have caused some to hate us? Isn’t it possible that our government has made numerous mistakes in foreign affairs?

Show Notes and Links

Ron Paul on foreign policy CNN Tea Party Debate 9/12/2011 | RonPaulSource | Sep 12, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8S3yws_88I

What If America Traded Places with the Middle East? | JeremySarber.com | September 23rd, 2010
http://jeremysarber.com/2010/09/23/what-if-america-traded-places-with-the-middle-east/

Preemptive Poppycock | 040 Coffee & Cigarettes | August 24, 2011
http://orangecoffeecup.com/preemptive-poppycock-040-coffee-cigarettes/

Ron Paul on 9/11: Ask the Right Questions and Face the Truth | Ron Paul | September 11, 2011
http://www.ronpaul.com/2011-09-11/ron-paul-on-911-ask-the-right-questions-and-face-the-truth/

Ron Paul: Disgraceful and Dishonest – America Occupies 130 Countries | Maggie | September 13, 2011
http://www.maggiesnotebook.com/2011/09/ron-paul-disgraceful-and-dishonest-america-occupies-130-countries/