government

      I have noticed that a great many Americans seem to think God and national government are two things that cannot possibly go together. There are several reasons behind this: 1) the seperation of church & state rule 2) the humanist foundations of the republic and 3) the fact that most politicians seem to have all of the ethics of an alley cat, with a similar amount of intelligence. Under such conditions it is no wonder that voter apathy is such a problem. In the last election, Al Gore was the popular favorite and yet even his supporters lacked the motivation to punch their ballot cards all the way through. The media says, "The American people deserve better", however I sometimes wonder if we are really getting exactly what we deserve. Americans tend to be extremely selective about their nation image. It is an unsavory fact that the "Land of Opportunity" is also the Land of Pornography, a multi-billion dollar industry. Our foreign policy over the years has also made us extremely unpopular in many parts of the world. Not like US!? Who could not like us? I know, it's shocking isn't it.
       Instead of our motto being "In God We Trust" it should be, "In Abstract Ideals We Trust" and rather than Christianity, our dominant religion is "I believe in something but don't really go to church" faith.Considering that our Founding Fathers were mostly Deists and Freemasons, this does not surprise me (in case you havn't heard George Washington could tell a lie, was not a god and has not been declared a saint by any church). Nevertheless, the United States of America has championed some exceptional and praisworthy principles in her history. However, countries everywhere have always run into problems when they leave God out of government. We in America have tried to deny God's existence in the law of the land, though in Washington they still keep up the charade, which is only hypocritical. Psalm 14:1 applies to many in control of this nation, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." So what does the Bible say about authority on earth? Take a look:

But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Psalm 63:11

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.
St Paul's Epistle to Titus 3:1

Shall even he that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is most just? Is it fit to say to a king, thou art wicked? And to princes, ye are ungodly?
Job 34:17-18

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Proverbs of Wisdom 25:5

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:20

And Samuel said unto all the people, See ye whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted and said, God save the King!
I Samuel 10:24

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. Servants be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
I Epistle of St Peter 2:17-18

By me kings reign and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Proverbs of Wisdom 8:15-16

I counsel thee to keep the kings commandment and that in regard of the oath of God.
Ecclesiastes 8:2

       That's pretty black & white -- not much grey area in that one. God has given to every nation their ruler and commands us to obey and respect them. When we do not do this, we are rejecting God's plan for our country. Proverbs 24:21 says, "My Son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change". I guess George Washington must have missed that one. But isn't monarchy out of date you ask? Is Christianity? The Bible says, "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it that men should fear before Him." St Timothy went beyond simple loyalty and exhorted us to also pray for our monarchs, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour". The same apostle also said that all scripture is inspired by God and "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness". What is holy never goes out of date and we must work to end this arrogant mentality that they way we do things now is the best and only way to run a government and no alternatives should even be considered. That is a dangerous and foolish way to think.