etz Posted January 17, 2017 Posted January 17, 2017 Definitions Property is the assertion of monopoly control over resources by threat of force against others. [T]he state [is] any organization that succeeds in holding the exclusive right to use, threaten, or authorize physical force against residents of its territory. It is immediately obvious that private property is the state. So defined, private property is a coercive relationship between agents, and not necessarily a relationship between agents and non-agents. Moreover: There is nothing in the definition of private property which limits the amount of property an individual or group can own. Nor is there any limit to behaviors the owner(s) may choose to call "aggression" against their property and thus respond with force to eliminate. In particular, the only real limitation on the contents of contracts between owners and renters is the enforcers' qualms, which payment tends to overcome. In general, when contractural conditions for use of property are costlier than force, force will be applied and a change in ownership / regime may result. Therefore, private property in principle results in totalitarianism and war. Against the definition of private property offered above may be asserted the "gainful use" theory of property - which may be reduced to the notion that touching something first justifies threat of force against those who might threaten to touch it second. Threat of force against agents with respect to territory remains, preserving the identification of property with the state. The upshot is anarcho-capitalism is statism, renamed, only without the religious encroachments - you truly can buy anything in this world with money under such a system. And because property is weaponized covetousness, mere possessiveness backed by threats against others to control their behavior, it is incompatible with the kingdom of God.
etz Posted January 17, 2017 Author Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) Not coincidentally, this was the great secret Satan taught Cain - that he may murder, and get gain: property. Edited January 17, 2017 by etz
JLHPROF Posted January 17, 2017 Posted January 17, 2017 17 minutes ago, etz said: Not coincidentally, this was the great secret Satan taught Cain - that he may murder, and get gain: property. D&C 42:32 And it shall come to pass, that after they are laid before the bishop of my church, and after that he has received these testimonies concerning the consecration of the properties of my church, that they cannot be taken from the church, agreeable to my commandments, every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received by consecration, as much as is sufficient for himself and family. If the law of consecration, a much higher law than we are living today, where you give EVERYTHING to God still allows for the existence of personal property, I think you are definitely missing a correct principle somewhere. Apparently God is ok with property. Keep trying though. 2
etz Posted January 17, 2017 Author Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) When God used the word "property" in D&C 42:32, did he have the definition I used above in mind, do you think? And is the "law of consecration" the kingdom of God? Or is the system in which all have all things common the kingdom of God? Quote 4 Nephi 1:3 3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift. Acts 2:44 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 3 Nephi 26:19 19 And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another. Acts 4:32 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Can't have them both, you see. Edited January 17, 2017 by etz
etz Posted January 17, 2017 Author Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) And then we think on the Savior's teachings and commandments. Quote Luke 12 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soulshall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 22 ¶And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 ¶But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Of course, the reaction to such nonsense is the same in every age. Quote Luke 16 13 ¶No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. Edited January 17, 2017 by etz
etz Posted January 17, 2017 Author Posted January 17, 2017 And compulsory means, as we all know, is incompatible with the kingdom of God. Quote D&C 121:46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. There is a self-consistent non-compulsory definition of property, but hey, nobody asked me.
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