Feeling caught in the crossfire of your Christian beliefs and the political turmoil around you? If the clash between your faith and the pressures of national loyalty has left you questioning where you stand, The Bad Roman is here to explore these very issues with you. Craig Harguess, once a neoconservative, now leads this engaging series, drawing from his own journey to understanding that being true to Christ often means challenging the expectations of the state.
At the heart of ”The Bad Roman Project” is the provocative idea that ”sometimes to be a good Christian means to be a bad Roman.” This concept isn’t about defiance for its own sake (the mol tov cocktail version of anarchy) but emphasizes that our primary allegiance is to Christ’s teachings, which can sometimes put us at odds with worldly powers. It’s a call to prioritize our heavenly citizenship over earthly political ties, embodying the principle of ”No King but Christ.” This phrase underlines the choice to follow Jesus’s example of love, service, and justice, rather than aligning with the ambitions of worldly leaders within a state-bound system.
This podcast offers a platform for those who feel the tension between their spiritual convictions and the political narratives that seek to co-opt them. It’s a community for open, honest dialogue about navigating these challenges while staying true to our faith. Through thought-provoking discussions, ”The Bad Roman Podcast” invites you to consider how your Christian journey intersects with the societal structures around you. Join us as we dive deep into what it means to live out our faith authentically, even when it means being ’bad Romans’ in the eyes of the world.
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Feeling caught in the crossfire of your Christian beliefs and the political turmoil around you? If the clash between your faith and the pressures of national loyalty has left you questioning where you stand, The Bad Roman is here to explore these very issues with you. Craig Harguess, once a neoconservative, now leads this engaging series, drawing from his own journey to understanding that being true to Christ often means challenging the expectations of the state.
At the heart of ”The Bad Roman Project” is the provocative idea that ”sometimes to be a good Christian means to be a bad Roman.” This concept isn’t about defiance for its own sake (the mol tov cocktail version of anarchy) but emphasizes that our primary allegiance is to Christ’s teachings, which can sometimes put us at odds with worldly powers. It’s a call to prioritize our heavenly citizenship over earthly political ties, embodying the principle of ”No King but Christ.” This phrase underlines the choice to follow Jesus’s example of love, service, and justice, rather than aligning with the ambitions of worldly leaders within a state-bound system.
This podcast offers a platform for those who feel the tension between their spiritual convictions and the political narratives that seek to co-opt them. It’s a community for open, honest dialogue about navigating these challenges while staying true to our faith. Through thought-provoking discussions, ”The Bad Roman Podcast” invites you to consider how your Christian journey intersects with the societal structures around you. Join us as we dive deep into what it means to live out our faith authentically, even when it means being ’bad Romans’ in the eyes of the world.
Christians, Libertarians, and Voting: The Golden Rule Test
The Bad Roman
49 minutes
1 month ago
Christians, Libertarians, and Voting: The Golden Rule Test
What if stepping into a voting booth is less about freedom and more about forcing your will on your neighbor?
Craig sits down with writer Jeb Smith to wrestle with a question many Christians and libertarians rarely stop to ask: Is voting consistent with the values we claim to hold?
Jeb, author of Is Libertarianism Consistent with Voting?, argues that casting a ballot contradicts the very heart of libertarian “live and let live” principles. And for Christians, the stakes are even higher. Jesus never told us to hand power over our neighbors to Caesar. He called us to serve, not to rule.
The conversation digs into how politics twists even kind and gentle people into something unrecognizable, why voting legitimizes a corrupt system built on coercion, and how stepping away from political participation might actually free us to love our neighbors better.
As Jeb puts it, “Since I stopped voting, I get along with people much better, even those with completely different political opinions.”
This isn’t just another debate about left vs. right. It’s a challenge to reimagine what it means to follow Christ in a world obsessed with power.
Tune in, and ask yourself honestly: are you serving Christ when you pull that lever, or are you just baptizing Caesar’s game with Christian language?
📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-143
🤝Connect with Jeb Smith:
Jeb's Books:
Defending the Middle Ages: Little Known Truths About the Crusades, Inquisitions, Medieval Women, and More
Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty
The Road Goes Ever On and On : A New Perspective on J. R. R. Tolkien and Middle-earth
Fanmail and Hate mail via email: jackson18611096@gmail.com
Jeb's Article: Is Libertarianism Consistent with Voting?
💕 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: TASTE IT BAD ROMAN SALSA, ADD TO THE BAG thebadroman.com/donate, and share with a friend (it's free!)🌶️
Key Moments:
(0:41) Libertarianism and Voting Consistency
(1:51) Guest Update: Jeb Smith’s Recent Work
(2:50) Libertarian Voting Paradox
(4:04) Historical Voting Patterns and Motivations
(5:43) Libertarian Electoral Success and Philosophical Consistency
(7:34) Voting as Legitimizing Corrupt Systems
(9:40) The Nature of Political Power and Authority
(12:07) Fear and Coercion in State Power
(14:37) Christian and Libertarian Approaches to Governance
(19:06) Democracy and Bullying
(22:23) Political Involvement and Dehumanization
(27:01) Disengagement from Politics
(30:28) Voting as Participation in War
(34:10) Secularization of Christianity through Politics
(36:16) The Corrupting Nature of Political Power
(40:08) Psychopathy in Politics and Business
(42:29) The Golden Rule and Political Non-Participation
(47:54) Additional Resources and Contact Information
🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
The Bad Roman
Feeling caught in the crossfire of your Christian beliefs and the political turmoil around you? If the clash between your faith and the pressures of national loyalty has left you questioning where you stand, The Bad Roman is here to explore these very issues with you. Craig Harguess, once a neoconservative, now leads this engaging series, drawing from his own journey to understanding that being true to Christ often means challenging the expectations of the state.
At the heart of ”The Bad Roman Project” is the provocative idea that ”sometimes to be a good Christian means to be a bad Roman.” This concept isn’t about defiance for its own sake (the mol tov cocktail version of anarchy) but emphasizes that our primary allegiance is to Christ’s teachings, which can sometimes put us at odds with worldly powers. It’s a call to prioritize our heavenly citizenship over earthly political ties, embodying the principle of ”No King but Christ.” This phrase underlines the choice to follow Jesus’s example of love, service, and justice, rather than aligning with the ambitions of worldly leaders within a state-bound system.
This podcast offers a platform for those who feel the tension between their spiritual convictions and the political narratives that seek to co-opt them. It’s a community for open, honest dialogue about navigating these challenges while staying true to our faith. Through thought-provoking discussions, ”The Bad Roman Podcast” invites you to consider how your Christian journey intersects with the societal structures around you. Join us as we dive deep into what it means to live out our faith authentically, even when it means being ’bad Romans’ in the eyes of the world.
