I recently saw where a preacher argued that the ideal form of government for Christians would be a Christian authoritarian. His reasoning was that in a democracy non-Christians (or bad Christians, I suppose) would vote for un-Christian or immoral laws and the country would fail to live up to God’s standards. Therefore, the ideal government would be one where these people would not have a say, and better, it would be one where a benevolent ruler would impose moral austerity on the citizens.

 

I thought this was interesting. So, my question is what is the purpose of government for Christians? Is it to achieve some sort of perfection on earth, as much as it is possible? Why should Christians care about the form of government?

 

I have a few thoughts, but I’m holding off for now.

I recently saw where a preacher argued that the ideal form of government for Christians would be a Christian authoritarian. His reasoning was that in a democracy non-Christians (or bad Christians, I suppose) would vote for un-Christian or immoral laws and the country would fail to live up to God’s standards. Therefore, the ideal government would be one where these people would not have a say, and better, it would be one where a benevolent ruler would impose moral austerity on the citizens.

 

I thought this was interesting. So, my question is what is the purpose of government for Christians? Is it to achieve some sort of perfection on earth, as much as it is possible? Why should Christians care about the form of government?

 

I have a few thoughts, but I’m holding off for now.

 

As I consider this topic, Jonestown comes to mind.

As I consider this topic, Jonestown comes to mind.

 

Or Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Salem anyone? Pequot Wars?)

I recently saw where a preacher argued that the ideal form of government for Christians would be a Christian authoritarian. His reasoning was that in a democracy non-Christians (or bad Christians, I suppose) would vote for un-Christian or immoral laws and the country would fail to live up to God’s standards. Therefore, the ideal government would be one where these people would not have a say, and better, it would be one where a benevolent ruler would impose moral austerity on the citizens.

 

I thought this was interesting. So, my question is what is the purpose of government for Christians? Is it to achieve some sort of perfection on earth, as much as it is possible? Why should Christians care about the form of government?

 

I have a few thoughts, but I’m holding off for now.

The purpose of government for christians is the same as non-christians. Religon should have ZERO to do with government.

Religon should have ZERO to do with government.

 

Will never happen because majority of people who make up our government will decide on issues based on their moral beliefs.....moral beliefs that come from their religion.

Will never happen because majority of people who make up our government will decide on issues based on their moral beliefs.....moral beliefs that come from their religion.

 

That's a good one. Politians and morals in the same sentence.

The purpose of government for christians is the same as non-christians. Religon should have ZERO to do with government.

 

You can't tour Washington, DC without seeing the influence religion had on the founding of our country.

You can't tour Washington, DC without seeing the influence religion had on the founding of our country.

Religion had everything to do with the founding of our country. We weren't talking about the founding of our country. We were talking about the government. I think the founding fathers of our country made sure they had nothing to do with each other.

Religion had everything to do with the founding of our country. We weren't talking about the founding of our country. We were talking about the government. I think the founding fathers of our country made sure they had nothing to do with each other.

 

 

 

I disagree. I believe our Founding Fathers believed that religious (most were Christians) values would guide decisions, but not allow them to dominate others, as they clearly intended religious freedom.

The 1st amendment says that all were free to worship as they please and that there would not be a state backed religion. It did not say everyone had to leave their beliefs at the door when they walked intothe halls of government.

Religion had everything to do with the founding of our country. We weren't talking about the founding of our country. We were talking about the government. I think the founding fathers of our country made sure they had nothing to do with each other.

 

You are sadly mistaken. Congress first official act after the Bill of Rights was to vote to hire chaplains to guide the spiritual needs of Congressmen. Congress opens every session since day one with a prayer. The Supreme Court has over 20 depictions of Moses and the 10 commandments on it. It's one of the biggest lies the left has pushed to say our founding fathers didn't include God in to our government. A few weren't Christians, Ben Franklin for example. But most of them were.

The Bible was written for everyone. As Christians its our Guide line. God hasn't changed, man has.

"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

 

--John Jay, 1st Chief Justice of U.S. & founding father

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity."

-- John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States

You are sadly mistaken. Congress first official act after the Bill of Rights was to vote to hire chaplains to guide the spiritual needs of Congressmen. Congress opens every session since day one with a prayer. The Supreme Court has over 20 depictions of Moses and the 10 commandments on it. It's one of the biggest lies the left has pushed to say our founding fathers didn't include God in to our government. A few weren't Christians, Ben Franklin for example. But most of them were.

 

By the same token, you could argue that the right's efforts to paint the US as a Christian theocracy is just as disingenuous. If the Founders intended this to be a Christian nation, why didn't they outlaw other religions in the constitution?

While the discussion of the founding is always interesting (maybe a new thread?), the original question still remains. If you were creating a government, as the Founders did, and you wanted it to be a Christian government, then what would you create and why? Conversely, should Christians be concerned with the matters of government?