Okay, so i used to think that Robin Hood was a hero. I guess most kids did. Living in a forest, eating what they could find, shooting bows and arrows, stealing food and money. Wait, STEALING?

I guess his motives were pure. I mean people were dying due to lack of food, clean water and good living conditions. Those that could work couldn't make enough to support and feed their families. Those that couldn't work were left to die. Taxes were unrealistically high to support Prince John's programs. If you couldn't pay, you were imprisoned or put to death. Not a great way to live.

As an adult, I now realize that good ol' Robin was just practicing "Social Justice": wealth re-distribution, equality and fairness for all. It just wasn't fair that Prince John could take every one's money to use for his needs at the expense of the people who worked for it. If all people are equal, then the rich shouldn't have more money than the poor. In fact, there shouldn't be poor people. Those that are rich should be forcibly made to part with their wealth in order to achieve the equality for all. (I actually think Robin was a little peeved that he'd lost his wealth.)

This idea completely erases the need for charitable contributions in society. If what is earned is taken from those that have to give to those that don't, there won't be the need or desire to GIVE money or time or things away to help others. Biblically we are to help those in need. James 1:27 states (NIV): "That God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and keep oneself from being polluted by the world." However, we are also asked to give cheerfully and not reluctantly. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV): "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Today it's hard to know who is Robin Hood and who is "Prince John". Maybe there's no difference. By attempting to practice social justice -- fairness for all people in health care, housing, food, employment -- the greater good is diminished through forcibly taking from the rich to give to the poor. If we all live up to our Biblical directives, there will still be poor, but their needs will be met by God and by cheerful and dedicated givers.

And all this time i thought Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham were the bad guys...