Hello, Shire Society.
I am 24, and I have lived and loved living NH for 15 years. I think it is wonderful that the little sliver of land wedged between Maine and Massachusetts continues to cultivate the Live Free or Die attitude.
Alas, I will admit, my reasons for posting here are a selfish. I recently graduated from a masters program at Harvard where I studied religion, ethics, and politics. I am now writing for a journal on religion and politics, and have been assigned a piece on the religion and politics of the amazing Granite State. Having friends in Keene and just general interest in grassroots movement, I thought the Shire Society would be an interesting place to look.
Forgive me if this is taken as spamming. I considered a covert ops here by pretending to be a religious person, but that seemed unnecessary. I suppose I am half-expecting to get booted, but hoping a get some responses first. Being tied with Vermont as the least religious state in the nation, I was wondering what role faith or religion plays in your life? Did your faith–or lack therefore–play a role in joining the Shire Society? Any vignettes or insights, opinions or perspectives would be welcome.
Sorry again if this is seen as spamming. Hats off to everyone fighting for the sovereignty of the individual!
In my opinion, you've done the right thing.
I, myself, am not yet in the Shire physically, but I do know we here have a wide assortment of religions here, everything from Atheists, to devout Christians, Pagans, and (I think) even a Muslim or two.
Coming out and saying that you're asking for an article is better than doing a "covert op". Just promise me one thing: You'll post a copy of the article, and I'll be on your side. Of course, Ian has the final say.
Welcome to the forum. Everyone's reason for being here is selfish. I don't know why you expect to get booted.
How did you find the forum?
To answer your question:
When I moved here for the Free State Project, I was an atheist. I have since become a panentheist. My panentheism definitely revolves around love and peace, so the Shire Society is right in line with that viewpoint. Though, it would have also been in line with my atheism as well.
Thanks for being open instead of covert. Trying to be secretive seldom works out.
I'm not physically in the Shire (although the Shire, by definition, defies geography). I'm a Christian, although an unchurched Christian (because I believe "religion" has made a mockery of what is supposed to be a personal relationship). I can't say that my religious views had any bearing on my decision to join the FSP, to join the Shire, to lean generally towards libertariansim/voluntaryism/individualism/etc.; I also can't say that it hasn't.
My religious beliefs are just as central to my core beliefs as my beliefs that every individual is sovereign and free.
One person you might want to contact is John, at the Peaceful Assembly Church in Grafton. He's a very nice fellow, trying to build peace in the world.
http://peacefulassemblychurch.org/
I first decided to become atheist when I was 13 - for all the wrong reasons. Slipped back into religion, then around 19 I watched Carl Sagan for the first time and rediscovered atheism happily. As far as joining the FSP or shire, I have to say if it had any explicit religious focus or were overwhelmingly religious people, or NH were a typical bible-thumping state…I would've been a lot less likely to move. Fortunately the nature of liberty is such that there is a nice mix, and no one or very few people are interested in pushing their beliefs on others. 
Welcome,
I accept that the whole world is energy. I accept that there exists an unknowable impetuous that brought about the event in which all of this energy emerged from a singularity. That impetuous I call God. One bit of good advice that Buddha gave is that it is a waste of time to contemplate the unknowable, so I waste very little time considering what that impetuous might be like.
I accept that the energy of the universe operates by certain laws: 9.8 meters per second squared, the golden rule. I suspect that the better one can learn these laws and use the energy at ones disposal in harmony with these laws, the more joyous ones life will be.
Now tell me, does Harvard teach that rituals, incantations, and costumes can metamorphose wickedness into righteousness?
[quote author=K neth link=topic=6408.msg60222#msg60222 date=1337428646]
Now tell me, does Harvard teach that rituals, incantations, and costumes can metamorphose wickedness into righteousness?
[/quote]
No, but they teach that pretending that can gain you lots of political power.
[quote author=K neth link=topic=6408.msg60222#msg60222 date=1337428646]
I accept that the energy of the universe operates by certain laws: 9.8 meters per second squared, the golden rule. I suspect that the better one can learn these laws and use the energy at ones disposal in harmony with these laws, the more joyous ones life will be.
[/quote]
This particular "golden rule" only applies on the specific ball of rock we reside on now. This doesn't invalidate your point, just makes this specific example not the best one. Being a Pagan, myself, I agree completely that we should live in accordance with the laws of nature, and (unlike a good many other neo-pagans I know) I know that we have to rely on science to tell us those laws.
[quote author=Myrkul999 link=topic=6408.msg60227#msg60227 date=1337460034]
This particular "golden rule" only applies on the specific ball of rock we reside on now. This doesn't invalidate your point, just makes this specific example not the best one. Being a Pagan, myself, I agree completely that we should live in accordance with the laws of nature, and (unlike a good many other neo-pagans I know) I know that we have to rely on science to tell us those laws.
[/quote] No. The scientific method isn't needed to learn that harming innocent, peaceful folk will makes your life worse. And I suspect that being a jerk, you'll be treated like a jerk, no matter where in the universe you get to.
[quote author=K neth link=topic=6408.msg60232#msg60232 date=1337527461]
[quote author=Myrkul999 link=topic=6408.msg60227#msg60227 date=1337460034]
This particular "golden rule" only applies on the specific ball of rock we reside on now. This doesn't invalidate your point, just makes this specific example not the best one. Being a Pagan, myself, I agree completely that we should live in accordance with the laws of nature, and (unlike a good many other neo-pagans I know) I know that we have to rely on science to tell us those laws.
[/quote] No. The scientific method isn't needed to learn that harming innocent, peaceful folk will makes your life worse. And I suspect that being a jerk, you'll be treated like a jerk, no matter where in the universe you get to.
[/quote]
I do hope that part about being a jerk wasn't directed at me… Especially since I was agreeing with you.
[quote author=Myrkul999 link=topic=6408.msg60233#msg60233 date=1337527907]
I do hope that part about being a jerk wasn't directed at me… Especially since I was agreeing with you.
[/quote]
I interpreted it as a statement about jerks in general, fwiw.
[quote author=Myrkul999 link=topic=6408.msg60233#msg60233 date=1337527907]
I do hope that part about being a jerk wasn't directed at me… [/quote]
Not directed at you. :O) From all I've heard and seen, you are a fine fellow.
[quote author=K neth link=topic=6408.msg60240#msg60240 date=1337583065]
[quote author=Myrkul999 link=topic=6408.msg60233#msg60233 date=1337527907]
I do hope that part about being a jerk wasn't directed at me… [/quote]
Not directed at you. :O) From all I've heard and seen, you are a fine fellow.
[/quote]
Ah good. Now back to our regularly scheduled discussion. 
[quote author=Dalebert link=topic=6408.msg60234#msg60234 date=1337534557]
I interpreted it as a statement about jerks in general, fwiw.
[/quote]
Thanks, Dale.
Jerk as in someone who violates the golden rule–someone who does things to others that they would not want done to themselves–which is everyone to some extent, with the biggest transgressors suffering the most for their failure to harmonize their actions with that law.