Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.~It represents a whole slew of very noble values such as honor, respect, equality, fair play, self-reliance, and even chivalry.
~It’s Biblical: David and Goliath.
~It’s tremendously masculine: fighter pilots, comic book heroes, martial arts movies, knights, cowboys, and swashbucklers all did it.
~If the founding fathers like Alexander Hamilton believed in it, how bad can it be?
~It’s the better, more noble version of vigilantism because at least it gives your enemy the chance to fight back.
~There must be something to it since it was legal in the US until 1839.
~There should be serious consequences for insulting people, their wives, or their families.
~The legal system is a joke when it comes to resolving such interpersonal disputes. We have a hundred sorts of ritualized dueling. It’s called sports.
~Every good action movie ends with a duel between the worst bad guy and the hero.
~We hate cheaters, which is an indirect endorsement of duelists.
~Our culture is awash in duelist mythology. Has it really served us all that poorly?
~Only the wimp goes to get his parents instead of solving the situation for himself.
~Dueling is better than ongoing feuds and gang wars of retaliation, right?
Bible References: Deut 32:35, Psalm 94, Matt 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-38, Rom 12:17-13:8, Heb 10:28-30
Links:
Dueling (Wikipedia)
A sermon on dueling (Wallbuilders)
Sermon on the death of Hamilton (1st Presbyterian Albany)
No comments:
Post a Comment