My thesis is that the state is a false god. An invisible deity in the minds of most citizens. It is invisible just like water is to a fish. Like air is to humans. We don't think about it. It just is. I don't recall where I first heard the idea that the state is a deity¹. But I recall it being one of those red pill moments for me. Something that changed the perspective I had on many things both internal and external. It led me into some deep soul searching. At the time I had been opposed to the actions of the government for many years. I was a fan of Ron Paul. I believed the US government was evil. But I had never connected how the state sets itself up like a deity. I was reminded of this today when I heard a tradfi person say that bitcoin is not money unless the government says it is and forces it on the people. Of course this is false. There are disagreements on the definitions of money and I'm not here to debate that. It just reminded me of the place the state holds in the minds of most people.

Think about this. When I was a kid attending a government school each day we would pledge allegiance to the flag. We had pictures of the presidents on the wall. We would take field trips to the state buildings where governance would take place. A large percentage of the time was spent on trying to turn out good citizens. Think about all the monuments to presidents and founding fathers. Think about how people view the Constitution. I have heard it referred to as a sacred text many times. Its one of those things you just don't notice because it is the reality you are born into. Its what your parents were born into. The invisible deity.

The state as deity is something you can't un-see. When you begin to view the state through the lens of it being a god many things become clear. You begin to see this belief in politicians who propose ridiculous legislation that defies logic. You can understand why events like J6 create such emotional reactions in true believers. You can see why people would rally and put themselves in harms way for a man that doesn't defend them. One side contests an election and does so with such fervor because they believe the deity has been perverted. The opposing side can't stomach their precious halls of government, their institutions being disgraced by such vile people. It is a very religious response. Very emotional.

For progressives the central aspect seems to be the idea of democracy. With conservatives it seems to be patriotism. The idea of some ideal past that we need to go back to. But really from my perspective, for both its about power. The best analogy I've ever heard is the ring of power from "The Lord of the Rings". Both sides want the ring of power (the state) to bring about their vision for the world. It is their central focus. They both wrap this desire for power in good motives but the state eventually corrupts anyone that tries to use it just like the ring of power.

When I get pulled into a discussion about politics or the government I usually get push back on my view of the state. The problem usually comes from how most people view a few terms. Most do not separate the state from government or governance. It is also common for nation and country to be combined with the government. With that in mind let me define how I am using these terms. I didn't come up with these definitions but they make sense to me and are pretty widely accepted among libertarians and anarchists. You are free to disagree but if you want to understand what I am putting down here this is the context.

My definitions

A couple misconceptions about the state are that law and money² cannot exist outside of the state. Both predate the state. Another is that the state defines morality. Illegal does not equal immoral. Legal does not equal moral. For most people groups their morals are defined by their deities. Many people speak about the state in ways that can only be parallel by the way people talk about deities. The Christian God spoke the world into existence. It is this power of the word that is the focus of my thought here. When people push back on "Taxation is Theft" position, what they are really saying is that the state defines what is right and what is wrong. In every other situation taking something by force is called theft. But when the state does the same thing, it is not theft. It is taxes. Not only should you pay them but it is morally wrong not to pay them. Most Christians in the US hold this view³. When the state kills someone it is not murder. I'm not referring to war here. I'm referring to the targeted killings of US citizens that are suspected to be terrorists. This happened under Obama and I suspect it has continued. Think about the how the state enforcement arm, the police live under a different set of rules than you and I. The state makes its own rules, breaks the rules and never pays for its crimes.

Before king Saul the children of Israel were governed by judges. But God was their king. They were not ruled by a man. There was no state. There was law, judges, and Jehovah. In 2st Samuel the people tell Samuel they want a king. I think we forget what this was actually about.

1 Samuel 8:5-7 ESV

I was recently reading this passage and "they have rejected me from being their king over them" jumped out at me. Wow. When I see Christian's getting so passionate about presidential candidates I can't help but think they are doing the same thing that God pointed out in this passage. I'm not only talking about those that support Trump and believe he will "save this country". I'm also referring to those that think he must be stopped. It sure seems like the faith is being placed in a man and not God. Or put more precisely, the position and control over it instead of God.

Lest you think that I'm being unfair. I discovered this idolatry in my own heart many years ago. We are born into it. It is not easy to shake. I can say that I viewed politics and the state as most Christians do today. I have no claim to righteousness. Thank God for his grace.

I ask you to take a look at how you view the state. Does it function as a deity in your thoughts? I'm not saying we should overthrow the state. I think I'm incredibly fortunate to live in the US in this time. For all its flaws the United States in 2024 is a much better place to live than most places and times in history. I love the American people. I love our country. I think many of the ideals of the founding fathers were admirable. But we need to see the state for what it is. A false god. It does not grant rights. Its word doesn't create things. It cannot ban math. It cannot create money. It cannot make immoral actions right or just. Without the people's belief it would cease to exist. Stop believing in this false god.