Interesting discussion.
As a Christian, I believe that God calls us to obey the governing authorities unless they call us to disobey a direct commandment of God Himself.
However, I also believe that God allows people to be saddled with a monarchy when they are not up to keeping a better form of government.
Anarchy In Your Head » Archive » Anarchism, the New Atheism
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2 comments:
Not the Anarchists! They are as nutty as the communists.
Er... your statements are rather oddly put. I think I can better phrase your sentiments.
"I believe that a democracy is the best form of government, as long as they follow God's will.
However, I am okay with a despotism if the people are not capable of sustaining a democracy."
Most people would replace God's will with will of the people, moral, etc.
Any way, your position is a common one in the West- democracy is the best form of governmet, but people may need a benevolent dictatorship to get them there.
If I am mistating your view, correct me, but aside from arguing and world building I like fixing things up.
Thanks for your comment, Mr. Skinner.
The Bible passage I was quoting was God speaking through the apostle, Paul, saying,
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience."
Actually, I believe the form of government we started with, a limited Constitutional republic, is a very good one for preserving liberty.
However, others have written, and I agree, that for limited government to work, most citizens must be able and willing to govern their own lives.
The less they are willing and able to govern their own lives well, and to be zealous for their liberties, the more the government will slouch toward democracy (mob rule), despotism, socialism.
I see that as the trend, going back at least a century, with a good deal of imperialism thrown in as well, especially since the late 1800s.
I am not okay with these lower forms of government and try to find the most effective forum I can for education and persuasion of my fellow citizens back toward responsible self-rule and limited government.
I'm not sure that is an adequate summary, but it is a good first try. Hope it helps to clarify.
Thanks again for calling me to be more clear.
Bill Starr
Sat, 30 Aug 2008, 9:06 am EDT
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