In actuality, the welfare-state system that has been grafted onto America's original federal governmental structure is one of evil's greatest triumphs, not only with respect to the seemingly permanent nature of this system but, more importantly, because of the overwhelming support of people who hew to religious principles.

The welfare-state system is based on a simple principle: Use the federal government's power to tax to take money from one group of people and give the money to another group of people. It is an ingenious system from the standpoint of evil because it creates the appearance that people are helping people. The welfare state, Americans are told, reflects how good, caring, and compassionate they are. By simply living in the United States as American citizens — and, even better, participating actively in the political process by voting — Americans are fulfilling what Jesus called God's second-greatest commandment — "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

There is one great big problem with this system, however: It is founded on force. The payment of taxes is not voluntary. Refuse to pay your taxes and you will soon find yourself in a federal prison, perhaps for the rest of your life. The incarceration of a noted tax resister named Irwin Schiff comes to mind. When he got terminal cancer and asked for a mercy release from prison so that he could die among his family, federal officials said no. He was forced to die in prison for having committed the cardinal sin of refusing to pay his income taxes.

Thus, the welfare-state system is not a voluntary system. It is a system that coerces people to care for others. That is precisely the opposite of God's system, which is based on the choices that people willingly make in the exercise of free will, which is the great gift that God has bestowed on every human being.

In other words, under God's system, people have a choice as to whether to help others or not. They can choose to help someone in need, or they can refuse to do so. That's what genuine free will is all about — the right to say either yes or no. God entrusted mankind with that enormous range of freedom. Under God's system, no one is forced to care for another person. The choice is always voluntary.

That's where conscience, which is another God-given gift, comes into play. When people are faced with choices on whether to help another person, they begin to exercise their consciences. Should I help that person or not? To what extent should I help him? For how long should I help him? With everyone exercising his conscience on a regular basis, the overall sense of morality in society tends to rise.

But keep in mind that under God's system, people always have the right to say no. They have the right to turn their backs on their neighbors, their parents, their family members, the poor, the needy, their churches, and everyone else. That's what genuine freedom and free will are all about.