Jun 13, 2009

Perfect Democracy?

Breaking news reads:

Supporters of the main election challenger to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad clashed with police and set up barricades of burning tires Saturday as authorities claimed the hard-line president was re-elected in a landslide. The rival candidate said the vote was tainted by widespread fraud and his followers responded with the most serious unrest in the capital in a decade.

So what's the big deal? Why can't these people pull off an election without childish
"You cheated!"
"DID NOT! YOU DID!"
"UH-UH! YOU DID!"

Actually, why can't the US pull that off anymore?

Two reasons:
1. Some people aren't strong enough to lose, but mainly
2. No one trusts anyone, because few are trust-worthy.

Mainstream media tries to guide us to believe that
democracy is perfection,
democracy is our goal,
and perfect democracy will solve our problems.

Meanwhile, when the people are blind enough to think they are in control, they take more power under the guise of provision.
BUT this is not (or was not intended to be, anyways) a post on the role of government.

FIRST, we were not founded as a democracy.
We are a democratic republic.
Which basically means
-among other things-
that there is a check on the people as well as on the other branches.

Second, if the people have "power," they will do as they see fit.
They will make laws as they see fit.
They will prosecute as they see fit.

How will they do this? Will they do it well?

The answer is fairly cut and dry.

Blackstone's Commentary on the Laws of England make mention of two types of law.
I'm paraphrasing, but here they are:
Man's law: usually written. You know, 45 mph or "No spitting on the sidewalks!"

Moral (GOD'S) Law: Don't murder, commit adultery,
or slip wages under the table to avoid taxes.
ETHICS.

ALL of mankind is under the former law, no matter what governmental system he is under.
If the government is godly, it's laws will match up.
If it's not...
people have bonfires with tires, buildings, (God forbid) human bodies.

Which begs the question: How do bad governments come about?

The people are bad. Rocket science, isn't it?

God instituted government from the beginning. He gives power to every authority.
So...
If the people are unlawful, they will require heavier-handed government
(where America is headed, by the way...ever heard of socialism?)
Yes, if the people are unlawful, they also have unlawful government.
WAIT! Would God give power to an evil government?

Remember the Israelites? God would hand them over to their ungodly enemies for a while. They would get tired of their wickedness, repent of their ways,
and God would restore Himself as their DIRECT government.
(Of course, He governed through prophets, judges, and kings--some Godly, some not.)

Good relations require trust, which requires morality.

Godly people who persevere in affecting their countrymen and government will have a less-involved, less-restrictive ruling body.

Bad people
(or Christians who bury their heads in the proverbial sand, not doing more than voting
--if that at all--
and never voicing opposition to unethical behavior in their workplace)
will have over-involved, Marxist, and probably corrupt tyrants to deal with.

Bottom Line:

Morality is VITAL to Freedom.

Jun 10, 2009

Weed Eater, Anyone?

I had full intentions of finding that special place. True, I missed it the first time I passed, but only because I failed to watch for it. I was more careful the second time--but the path eluded me again.

I knew that place very well...once. Once, I frequented the cool but welcoming shadows, the quiet stream, the incredible serenity. Yes, it existed.

But now it is lost to me! Has it left? Or have I simply lost the path?

I suppose it was a subtle thing, this hiding of my path. (Plants rarely explode into a forest overnight!) But sly nature has a way of filling deserted places with her own visitors.

Deserted? Why, I never deserted the place! I held it near to my heart! Of course, the other distractions may have kept me away for, oh, 2 or 3 months--but it was not intentional, my friends!

Now, if I am to find my way again, I must crash through the underbrush and dodge branches. Hm, sounds violent...maybe painful. I may get scratched. I wonder--is it worth it?

It's been so long. SO long. The memory is nearly hazy...was it a dream? Did it happen?

Does it exist?

"Where is your faith?"

The quiet place of prayer grows sweeter with visitation.
You can fool yourself with hypocrisy...you may call yourself a Christian,
But if your path is getting weedy, you are in grave danger.

Your attitude will show it.
Your priorities will show it.
Your life will be empty, though you stuff the gaping cavern with all you can get your hands on:
Excuses, anger, materialism, hate, and always--Selfishness.

How can we?
We've know the sweetness of intimacy with the Power of the Universe!

But, when distractions are closer to our hearts than that quiet place,
our path will become overgrown.

How do Christians become Atheists?

The path "disappeared."
It takes too much energy, too much effort, to crash back through.
They forgot how important it is, and now it's not worth it.

Keep your hedge trimmer handy.