 "Photo: N/A")
In light of certain events that have taken place in our country over the past few weeks, a cautionary note is in order.
In one of my classes recently, we discussed the impact that various right-wing radio and television programs have had (and continue to have) on the fringe of the conservative movement. By "fringe" I mean the people who bomb abortion clinics, fly planes into IRS buildings, and throw bricks through the windows of their representatives in Congress because they are angry over how they voted on this health care reform bill.
All of us, conservative or liberal, should have one message for these kinds of people: IT NEEDS TO STOP!
While everyone is free to express their disapproval over this health care reform bill, no one who is for smaller government should be this violently anti-government. There are proper means to express your discontent with your leaders in our system of government, and throwing bricks through their windows is not one of them.
Although I share some of their concerns, the “tea party” movement is just a little too anti-government for me. As a Christian, I believe God establishes governments on the earth for our good. While we may often disagree with our leaders, we should never resort to violence against them. According to Romans 13:1-7 in the Bible, we are to respect the governing authorities. Whether it is a Democrat or a Republican in power does not matter.
Interestingly, that same passage of Scripture also says something about taxes-- namely, that we should pay them. We may feel that they are unwise or even oppressive, but that does not change our duty to pay them.
Of course, one does not need to be a Christian to understand the need for resisting the urge to use violent means of protest against the government. We have fine examples of the use of peaceful means of protest from Martin Luther King, Jr. and the struggle for civil rights in our country.
This, of course, doesn't mean that our government is beyond criticism. Nor does it mean that there is never a time for civil disobedience when governments ask us to do what is unconscionable.
We've been blessed with a form of government that allows for us--the people--to choose who represents us. If you don't like what elected officials are doing, vote them out. Get involved in a campaign. Petition. Do whatever you feel you need to. Just please make sure to respect the rule of law.
Unfortunately, this uncivil climate and discourse in our country has effectively drowned out more moderate conservative voices--folks who might have very thoughtful ideas, and who are not given over to the kind of hyperbolic rhetoric that is often heard from political pundits on television and talk radio. This lack of civility is also sure to alienate many more people from politics and reinforce the perception that our country's political system is too flawed to warrant their involvement in the electoral process.
We will always have disagreements among us, but if our representative republic is to continue to thrive for another century, we must re-learn a lost art: peppering our public discourse with civility.
Be the first to comment on this article!