Comments on: Why not speed? (pt. 2)

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:49:34 +0000

P.S. Excellent point about parents undermining their own authority when they speed.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:48:53 +0000

Charles: It is true that it is hard to kick against the pricks; however, I actually have a small bit of sympathy with the idea that keeping the law to the T is a bit legalistic.

After all, the point is not whether we go 56 in a 55; the point is that we should respect the speed limit because it is there to promote our safety and the harmonious working of society.

On the other hand, attention to detail is important here as in many other areas of life. While I would agree with my critics who would say that too much focus on the letter of the law is legalistic, I don’t think that argument is justification for knowingly breaking the law.

By: Charles Churchill

Charles Churchill — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:02:42 +0000

This is a great series, Jamie.

I find it surprising that no one has taken issue with my position

As Christ said, “it is hard to kick against the pricks.” I think most Christians prefer not to think about these issues because once they are confronted with it, it becomes clear very quickly that they are wrong.

One other thing I would add to your post is that anyone who is a parent or an authority figure themselves (and in some way, we almost all are) that speeds is testifying against their own authority by doing so. There are many Christian parents who go so far as to involve their children in their speeding, training them to help them look for police officers and radar traps. I wonder if they realize what they are teaching their children? “Hey, anything you can get away with is ok” and “when I’m not around, I don’t expect you to do what I tell you – or what God tells you for that matter!!”…

It’s kind of scary.

Thanks for the post,
Charles

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:43:33 +0000

Thanks to all for the positive feedback on these two posts. I find it surprising that no one has taken issue with my position, but I’m not going to complain about the lack of rotten tomatoes!

By: keithwhitfield

keithwhitfield — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:49:58 +0000

Jamie:
I found your blog via Rick Beckman. I wholeheartedly agree with you. In fact, I came to a very similar conclusion some time back (I’m guessing I’m probably 20 years older than you–judging from the your profile pic–which doesn’t necessarily make me wiser, just older!). Anyway, I’ve also included in my “law-abiding repertoire”–coming to a complete stop at “Stop” signs. It drives people crazy when they ride with me, but I do it for the same reasons I don’t speed.

By: Rick Beckman

Rick Beckman — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:53:24 +0000

Linked to this from my blog, but I did want to comment and say thanks for the reflections. It’s amazing how easy it is to forget the simple truth of #2.

#3 is greatly encouraging.

God bless.