There’s the kind of Christianity you can experience at church, and then there’s a kind of abstract mechanical Christianity, where small details play an important role, like a delicate mechanical watch.
As you highlight, the separation between church and state is central here. Although Christians have never achieved full consensus on the use of violence, they have usually agreed that Christians were not to overthrow the state, nor to use the state to force conversions.
Along the lines you're pointing out, this creates an incentive structure for secular governments to compete with each other to rule Christians. And ultimately leads them to compete to offer Christians a better deal.
I think that fits the game that you're talking about. And it doesn't necessarily depend on full non-violence being the only viable Christian strategy.
I appreciate you taking the post seriously. I think the competition works the other way, at least initially. Rulers would fight each other and work to keep Christians from leaving
Christians are initially free force multipliers. They will fight in your wars and won’t sabotage you. As long as they can exit, I agree there’s going to be incentive to be nice to them
I’m not quite sure how to explain how we got to where we are now. I assume it’s because the US wants talent from other countries. So we make exit from US easy, and consider it evil if another country doesn’t let their people leave
Why easier for Christians if you’re wrong?
Because if my interpretation is correct a Christian would just take the beatings and never retaliate with violence
As you highlight, the separation between church and state is central here. Although Christians have never achieved full consensus on the use of violence, they have usually agreed that Christians were not to overthrow the state, nor to use the state to force conversions.
Along the lines you're pointing out, this creates an incentive structure for secular governments to compete with each other to rule Christians. And ultimately leads them to compete to offer Christians a better deal.
I think that fits the game that you're talking about. And it doesn't necessarily depend on full non-violence being the only viable Christian strategy.
I appreciate you taking the post seriously. I think the competition works the other way, at least initially. Rulers would fight each other and work to keep Christians from leaving
Christians are initially free force multipliers. They will fight in your wars and won’t sabotage you. As long as they can exit, I agree there’s going to be incentive to be nice to them
I’m not quite sure how to explain how we got to where we are now. I assume it’s because the US wants talent from other countries. So we make exit from US easy, and consider it evil if another country doesn’t let their people leave