A Godly Government

Politics gives me a headache. American politics give me a headache and an upset stomach. I have been open before about how I do not agree with the system of civil government chosen by our forefathers; it is not a secret. They were almost all protestants of one denomination or another, and so they did not have a solidly Catholic understanding of law, society, or ethics. Some of them were even fairly anti-christian in their thinking and behavior.

It would be misleading to say that we live in a "Christian nation". Are there principles in our founding documents that have a christian-like flavor? Yes, of course, that is obvious (and the pagans who want to deny that are fools). That does not mean, however, that we are a Catholic nation. We are, however, a protestant nation, and the generally rebellious attitude of "don't tell me what to do" can be found in almost everything our founding fathers said and did.

With that said, there are a couple quotes from our founding fathers that did get it right and I want to share them with you.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb.

Benjamin Franklin

Self protection is a good Catholic principle, and a cautious attitude about civil government is needed to help direct that principle. All too often Catholics think either the government is "great" or "awful", when in reality the best of governments need to be viewed cautiously. Democracy (a very protestant form of government--just look at the polity of every protestant denomination!) is on the top of the list of things to be cautious about.

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is freedom.

Thomas Jefferson

No, I do not want us to "storm the castle" (like some want to do, and other have done), but when the civil government takes more and more power to itself then we cannot be blinded by their claims of "it's for your own good" or references to "national security". Democracy does not work too well (because people vote selfishly) and it usually degenerates into various forms of totalitarianism, and then finally into anarchy.

In conclusion, let us be cautious about the civil government and not fall into the trap of "America can do no wrong". Let us be thankful for the freedoms we do have, and pray for wiser laws, wiser leaders, and (someday) a godly form of government that does not let wickedness become "enshrined" in constitutions. Let us pray that Jesus will show us how to organize godliness and holiness and seek to bring the fulness of the Kingdom of God to this world.