God and Government
The heritage revealed in the development of our national government indicates that which the founders believed to be the glue that holds us together.
The founders especially emphasized the role of religion in moral formation. The belief in a “God All Powerful wise and good,” claimed James Madison, is “essential to the moral order of the world.” George Washington declared that “reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
The quote reputedly by John Adams, one of our founders, further reveals their belief that faith resulting in a moral constituency is essential for good government, “Our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” His statement gives profound meaning and holds great importance in understanding the foundation of our republic. Are we now a moral and religious people? Washington declared his conviction that apart from such there is no reason to believe we “can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.”
Today in America the church is in decline and carrying with it the profound impact it has had is shaping modern faith and morality.
“If angels were to govern men,” wrote James Madison, “neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.” Angelic leaders are no longer the norm in America. Could it be that they are chosen from among a culture devoid of leaders committed to God fearing government? Or, is it that they do exist, but our society is not inclined to support them?
A quote attributed to a variety of sources is this: ”The best government is that which governs least.” Our government is tending to be too big and is usurping authority from smaller governing bodies, like the church and families.
When the government oversteps its bounds and begins to assume more authority, it weakens other important social institutions, including those like the family and religious congregations, that are particularly capable of encouraging moral virtue among citizens. Big government programs and policies also tend to confuse the lines between citizen responsibility and government responsibility
In the forthcoming election for President we need to vote for the party that is for less government. As you evaluate the candidates, which do you think is for bigger government and more controlling government policies?
From my perspective the choice is easy.