In an era where the sanctity of one’s home is increasingly challenged by rising crime rates and shifting social attitudes, the Castle Doctrine emerges as a crucial legal and moral safeguard. This doctrine, established in several states, guarantees the right of homeowners to protect their home—their “castle”—against unlawful intruders without the obligation to retreat. It encapsulates scenarios where the safety of one’s abode is jeopardized, providing legal grounds for homeowners to use reasonable force in defense against intruders.

Unfortunately, this principle has become a topic of contention, particularly when juxtaposed against a leftist ideology that often portrays the doctrine as an invitation to violence, suggesting that homeowners should instead cower in vulnerability, hoping and praying for the swift arrival of law enforcement.

This narrative, which is prevalent in leftist and progressive circles, demands the homeowner to become passive and is expected to relinquish their safety and security in the face of imminent danger. This attitude toward self-defense not only leaves people exposed and targeted but also sends a dangerous signal to criminals—that the law protects their malicious intents more than the rights of law-abiding citizens. The Castle Doctrine counters this perspective by empowering individual people to protect their homes and families.

This aversion to the Castle Doctrine among leftists extends beyond mere opposition to self-defense. It is deeply rooted in their disdain for individualism and individual rights. Leftism, with its inclination towards collectivism, views the defense of personal property as an impediment to its broader goals. There is a clear parallel between their advocacy for wealth redistribution and their resistance to personal property defense. In both cases, the leftist mindset reveals an insatiable appetite for control over others’ belongings, viewing individual sovereignty and the right to protect one’s own property as obstacles to their collectivist agenda.

Yet, despite the leftist hatred toward the Castle Doctrine, there is a clear biblical warrant for such a law. The most basic scriptural foundation for the Castle Doctrine can be discerned in Exodus 22, which states, “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him.” This passage inquires into the repercussions of theft and stresses the importance of property rights and the consequences that befall those intent on destruction and theft. The broader biblical principle at play is not merely the protection of material possessions but the overarching duty of stewardship and responsibility bestowed upon us. This duty encompasses safeguarding our families and homes from those intent on wreaking havoc in society.

This biblical principle counters the leftist rhetoric, which often downplays the severity of home invasions, portraying them as mere property offenses rather than violations that provoke deep psychological and physical traumas, especially in women and children. The leftist stance fails to acknowledge the epidemic of home invasions and the chaos unleashed by such acts. In contrast, the Castle Doctrine recognizes the reality of a fallen world, where evil is not just a theoretical concept but a lurking, tangible threat.

The Castle Doctrine is not a carte blanche for violence, though. Rather, it is a measured response to the very real possibility of home invasions. In fact, the very next verse seems to argue that in a situation (daylight?) where the threat can be more readily assessed and de-escalated without violence, one should attempt to do so. Of course, that isn’t carte blanche, either. However, the castle doctrine upholds the principle of using reasonable force, a concept that aligns with the biblical understanding of self-defense and protection of the vulnerable. This doctrine acknowledges the complexity of confrontations in one’s home, providing a framework for homeowners to act decisively yet responsibly and is a doctrine that should be supported and defended by Christians.

All said and done, the Castle Doctrine is more than just a legal right—it is a moral imperative that resonates with the biblical principles of stewardship, responsibility, and protection. It acknowledges the challenges posed by a world rampant with sin and lawlessness and provides a means for believers to uphold their duty to protect and care for what God has entrusted to them. This doctrine stands as a rampart against not just the threats themselves, but the leftist narratives that seek to undermine the safety and sanctity of the home. It affirms the right and responsibility of individual people to defend themselves, their families, and their property in the face of imminent danger.