Interesting discussion. I�m reminded of something I learned several years
ago. In the U. S., we take the Constitution pretty much for granted. But
when it was written, it was charting very new territory. A government that
limited its own power and affirmed the rights of the people was unheard of.
I don�t remember the quote, but I was told that a Frenchman of the times
was asked, �How long will the United States of America last?� His response
was that the government will last as long as the values and beliefs of the
writers of the Constitution are the values and beliefs of the people of the
U.S.
It seems that the people were willing to affirm one�s right to free speech,
free assembly, a free press, the right to bear arms, etc, because of what
they believed about people. They trusted that people had an internal
control put on their actions by their own faith in and accountability to
God. So there was no need for intrusive government control. See, in the
late 1700�s most people still feared God�s judgement and respected his laws.
And they feared excessive government control more than their fellowman.
Today, the prevailing philosophy is �do whatever seems right to you�. God�s
very existence is debatable, and his law is scoffed daily. Some of us fear
and distrust our fellowman so much that we are willing to embrace government
control and give up some of our hard-earned freedoms. People are grappling
with the question of how to have a free society when the people seem to have
no conscience. I don�t know the political or legislative solution.
But I do know the ultimate answer. As always, it comes back to Jesus
Christ. Spread the Gospel. When the hearts and minds of the people are
turned to God, whom should we fear?
Reach, teach, and keep for Christ.
Kerry Weiser,
Vancouver, WA
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