CHAPTER 20: Good Government and the Welfare of Soeciety
Besides general ethical teaching, the scriptures contain
specific guidance for building a peaceful and prosperous society. Individual
citizens have responsibilities beyond their private lives to
contribute to the public good. Rulers and governments are likewise
admonished to use their office and authority to promote justice
and the common welfare in accordance with divine law. Public
authority is not to be taken lightly; the scriptures testify to
God's providential hand which controls the destinies of nations and brings
them to judgment according to their ways.
The opening sections deal with four roles for the individual
citizen in fostering the weal of society. These are: the quiet
and unheralded work of a spiritual guide, an invisible
"pillar" of society who leavens the community by his
spirit and example; the prophet or reformer who confronts the
governing authorities with words of admonition and takes an
active role in correcting injustice; and the soldier who fights, risking
his life in order to defeat a tyrant and rescue the oppressed. In
addition, it is the duty of every citizen to respect and obey the
lawfully constituted authorities, who are worthy of support
because they preserve peace and order.
The next several sections discuss the standards of good
government. Although most of the world's religions were founded
in ancient times when the prevailing form of government was
monarchy, the principles of government enunciated in the
scriptures are still valid for today's democracies. These are universal
principles of good government which apply regardless of its form. Topics
include: government as subject to divine law and responsible to
honor the rule of law; the responsibility of government for the welfare
of the people and especially for the poor and defenseless among
them; honest government and the ruler's standard of conduct; and
the role of government to enforce the law and mete out fair punishments.
The last section discusses the providence of God which guides
the destinies of nations. Heaven gives prosperity to peoples and
nations which promote justice, righteousness, and religion, while
nations which oppress the poor and persecute religion are
inevitably destroyed. The destinies of nations may be understood
to be under the hand of God's providence, or influenced by the
blessings and judgments of gods and spirits of the land, or as
responding to the Mandate of Heaven.
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