Not just in regards to religion but elsewhere as well. I know I do but... I am still just a dirty punk rockah at heart...
2007-12-18 09:15:28 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No... I'm pro-establishment. I like having Firemen, Police, garbage collection, paved roads, etc. I don't even mind paying my taxes.
I am against excessive establishment... seat belt laws, helmet laws, laws "for your own good," etc.
2007-12-18 09:18:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 0⤋
Do I think of myself as anti-establishment? That mostly depends on how others define "the establishment."
If the Establishment is the Christian moral majority, the Republican party, or a Congress that insists on making convicted felons out of harmless young people for experimenting with harmless drugs -- then I am most definitely anti-establishment.
If the Establishment is America's public education system, a free-market economy, and a population of loyal patriotic citizens who value their individual liberties -- then I am definitely pro-establishment.
When it comes right down to it, I am still just a dirty old peace-loving Hippie at heart. More than anything else, I know that my thoughts are my own and that no one -- no person, no government, and especially no religious organization has the right to dictate what I may or may not believe, or regulate what I may or may not do to my own body or to my own brain.
If the establishment believes its purpose is to regulate and manage human behavior, to perform "social engineering," then I am definitely anti-establishment. On the other hand, if the establishment supports the Constitution and believes its purpose is to protect me from those among us who persistently seek to usurp my liberties, then I am pro-establishment.
Basically, I have no simple answer to your question.
2007-12-18 09:59:38 · answer #2 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mostly, I'm pro-establishment, but I can be anti when the establishment screws something up.
I dislike "anti-establishment" because it sounds like the opposite extreme of the religious folk: instead of bowing down to authority 100% you rebel 100%, so they're both arbitrary. One lives on the Argument from Authority (Bible says so, therefore you suck), and one lives on the Argument against Authority (they laughed at Copernicus but look who's laughing now!, therefore you suck).
Authority is in the wrong plenty a time (like the war on drugs), but you need the clarity of vision that logic and reason give you to make sure you're not going aboard into the ranks of nihilists or relativists or conspiracy woosters or simple knee-jerk rebellion.
2007-12-18 09:32:00 · answer #3 · answered by Logan 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In some cases, yes and in some no.
I believe a highly regulated establishment by the people and for the people would be ideal, however the goals and morals of such establishment would ultimately be inconsistent among individuals. No two people hold the same concept of "perfect" so there is a guarantee of problems right off the bat.
2007-12-18 09:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes but in my case its more of a correlation as opposed to cause and effect. I'm atheistic and I'm anti-establishment. I'm not atheist because I'm anti-establishment, nor vice versa.
I'd also like to thank science for pointing out the difference between correlation and cause and effect which I have borrowed here.
2007-12-18 09:25:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think most of us are probably libertarian at heart, but believe in the traditional (establishment) values of education, freedom, and the american dream.
Most atheists I know dislike the republicans for their desire to legislate morals, and most dislike the democrats for their willingness to keep the government gravy train going. I haven't met any atheists that are on the public dole.
2007-12-18 09:22:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. "anti establishment" is a bit of a euphemism for I have nothing of value. The moment someone has something, they value the societal structure that keeps the rabble from taking it.
2007-12-18 09:20:46 · answer #7 · answered by tuyet n 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, I like establishments. They can accomplish a lot more than individuals. But I also think they need regular auditing and evaluation.
2007-12-18 09:22:27 · answer #8 · answered by skepsis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, to some degree. I foolishly believe that groups are nothing more than collections of individuals, and so 'the greater good' is not served by individual sacrifice, but by individual freedom.
2007-12-18 09:20:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and anti-establishment. I think that goes with being a starving artist?
2007-12-18 09:19:37 · answer #10 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋