Private Property

I remember reading a story about how one family did things. When the parents gave something to one of their children, they really gave it to them. That meant they asked the child to share, or even to use it themselves. If the child said no, they abided by the child's decision.

Needless to say, other parents had problems with this, especially at play dates. Everybody else thought it was perfectly okay to force the children to share. Of course, we see people have trouble sharing, so I guess people just assume everyone needs to be forced.

So, these children grew up with their decisions about their property respected and they grew up quite willing and happy to share with others. Other children were learning about fear, about uncertainty, about how something could be yours and yet at any moment be taken away. It almost seems obvious, and yet it also seemed obvious that little Suzie should share her dolls with her friends. What a difference allowing someone to act in freedom makes.

It's amazing what private property affects. Socialists in Israel were able to brainwash the idea of private property out of the kids in a kibbutz, but later found these children couldn't form meaningful relationships on a personal basis. Great soldiers, but not good as husband, wife, father, or mother. In fact, any kind of personal expression was hard. Imagine having trouble doing anything distinctive, like writing, drawing, any non-group type of activity.

It is really sad to see how bad beliefs can get. A simple thing like private property should be a given, understood, especially when two of the commandments refer to it. Thou shalt not steal, and thou shalt not covet... This means no stealing and no coveting, even when you are stealing and coveting for someone else. Too many people want to take short cuts, or worse, actually believe socialism will get them somewhere.