Ditching Fake Kings & Paper Crowns

by Ryan Rush | Mar 11, 2025 | The Outlaw Faith

Welcome back to Outlaw Faith — day two of Common Sense week. Today, we’re talking about fake power — the kind that looks official but has no real legitimacy. Thomas Paine had a question for the people of 1776 that still slaps today:

“A king hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation, and set it together by the ears.”

Translation: Kings don’t actually do much. They burn through money, start fights, and keep themselves in power by handing out favors to their friends. Sound familiar? Now swap “king” for “career politician” or “unelected bureaucrat,” and you’ve basically got 2025 in a nutshell.

Paine’s Beef with Monarchs (and Why It Still Hits Today)

Paine wasn’t just mad at King George because the guy wore funny hats. His real issue was that the whole concept of inherited power is ridiculous. Why should a man’s bloodline — not his character or competence — decide whether he rules over millions of people?

That’s a joke. And Paine’s solution was simple: Stop pretending these people are special. They aren’t. Real authority comes from the consent of the governed — not from birthright, legacy, or political favors.

Modern Paper Crowns

Fast forward to 2025 — how much of your life is controlled by people you never voted for?

• Unelected federal agencies writing rules that act like laws.
• Global NGOs influencing policies while answering to no one.
• Billionaire “philanthropists” funding social experiments that affect your town — without ever asking you.

That’s monarchy dressed up in paperwork. It’s the same scam Paine called out, just with better PR.

The Christian Layer Paine Didn’t Say Out Loud

Here’s where I add what Paine only hinted at — real authority comes from God. Romans 13 says government exists to serve justice under God’s law. When governments abandon that purpose and start serving themselves (or their donors), they forfeit their moral authority.

At that point, resisting them isn’t rebellion — it’s obedience to a higher King.

What Do We Do With That?

Paine’s advice was clear: Don’t just grumble — ditch the fake system and build something better.
For us, that means:
✅ Question every authority demanding your obedience — from the federal government to your social media overlords.
✅ Ask: Who gave them power? Who holds them accountable?
✅ Refuse blind allegiance to anyone who’s not honoring God’s design for justice, freedom, and truth.

Tomorrow — we talk about claiming real freedom, the kind no government can give or take away.

Ditch the Tyrants: Reclaiming Common Sense in 2025

by Ryan Rush | Mar 10, 2025 | The Outlaw Faith

Hey, welcome back to Outlaw Faith! Today, we’re cracking open Thomas Paine’s Common Sense—but not as a dusty old text. We’re giving it a fresh spin so you can see why it still matters in 2025.

Rejecting Tyranny: A 250-Year-Old Wake-Up Call
Paine’s central message? Don’t put up with oppressive rule! He argued that inherited power and distant monarchies had no place in a society striving for freedom. Sound familiar? Today’s bloated bureaucracies and overreaching government can feel eerily similar.

Reframing for Today:
Imagine Paine with a Twitter account: “Why let distant powers dictate your future? #TakeBackControl.” He was all about empowering individuals to stand up for themselves, a message that’s just as relevant now.

A New Vision:
Paine believed that a society built on self-governance and mutual respect was not only possible but necessary. In 2025, we can channel that spirit to reclaim a sense of personal responsibility and faith-driven living.

The Challenge:
Don’t just accept the status quo. Whether it’s an overbearing government or a culture that’s lost its way, Paine’s words challenge us to rethink, rebuild, and reclaim our path.

Ready for the next step? Tomorrow, we’ll break down Paine’s call to action and see how it maps onto our world today.