My name is Tyler, I consider myself a Christian Anarchist. In my opinion, the previous article contains very weak argument in support of its stated position. When first reading it, I was initially impressed by the use of language, the quantity (although not necessarily quality) of biblical referencing, and especially the references to Ellul, (I was impressed that Horus had heard of Ellul let alone read his work) but when reading it something didn’t feel right about it.

A quick Google search showed me that most of it was copied verbatim from an interview with a Christian Anarchist. Much of the article is actually the Christian Anarchist talking. It makes no sense to use the dialouge of a Christian Anarchist (especially when it is repeated word for word as if it were the author’s) to show that Christianity and Anarchy are incompatible. As it turns out, the article ends up criticising the church and specific historical members of the church, (as this is what the Christian Anarchist was doing, as all Christian Anarchists do) not Christianity itself, not Jesus, not God, not anything that amounts to an argument as to why Christians can not identify with Anarchism, or why Anarchists can not identify with Christianity.

As for Bakunin, I’m sure he was a reasonable fellow, and if I ever have the opportunity of meeting him, I’m sure we will get along famously. I have no doubt that the distaste he had for the church I also share.

My initial response to this article was really more of a description and explanation of Christian Anarchism in general, which I hoped might help Horus rework his attempt at criticism. I hoped that he might rewrite the article into something that made more logical sense. However, he wanted to run with this article, so this is the response I chose to submit. The following paragraph is the conclusion of that initial response for those that are interested.

Christian Anarchists by no means need to justify the beliefs and actions of others who consider themselves Christians. Christian Anarchists seek, above all else, to take the teaching of Jesus seriously. They are inspired by Jesus’ love and compassion for the poor and mistreated, his avoidance of earthly power, his rejection of violence, his lack of desire for earthly possessions, his reliance on God’s providence, his preference to associate with the oppressed rather than the pious, and the generous communal lifestyle to which he inspired his disciples.