It reads as follows:
"1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
The United States Constitution is, like it or not, the highest law of the land as far as our worldly legal system is concerned. Within the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights, we have the Fifth Amendment.
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Pay close attention to the specific clause of "due process of law", and then read the First Amendment. It reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Our founding fathers recognized that those who first migrated to America from their native England did so out of a desire to escape religious persecution. Not for a disbelief in Christ, but for failing to believe in Christ as those in government said they should. As such, they installed a freedom of religion as the very first amendment to the United States Constitution.
Now let's revisit the idea of suggesting that "someone" should do "something" to stop the building of a mosque a few blocks away from the former site of the World Trade Center towers. Honestly, what do you think is going to happen, if you can't convince the planners of this mosque to move elsewhere?
Will you sign petitions and forward them to your congressman, in hopes that they will violate the constitution and prohibit the building of a Muslim community center on private property, knowing that doing so violates the commandments of the bible?
Like it or not, we DO live in America. You may disagree with the Muslim religion. You may think it's "insensitive" to build such a thing within a few blocks of "9/11 ground zero"...and three strip joints and a Burger King. You may think that an Islamic community center shouldn't be allowed because that particular religion preaches as much violence as the Old Testament.
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING can be lawfully done to stop it, and demanding that something actually be legally done to stop it is in direct conflict with both the United States Constitution and the Judeo-Christian bible.
Welcome to America. Love it, leave it, or attempt to change it through a constitutional amendment.
That being said, please allow me to leave you with another piece of scripture, from Matthews 7, as it also happens to be one of the many passages often quoted by my cousin.
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
While some may refer to verse 6, and suggest that the bible commands us not to discuss things with those who are incapable of understanding, I prefer to invoke verses 7-11. Feel free to read them on your own, and come to your own conclusions.
If you cannot stand the mere thought of cops then don't think about them.....there must be some form of order in the world and this is clearly outlined in the Bible as you have posted above. You can like it or not like it, but it is the word of God and he instructs us on how to do it. Now, the discussion of people who abuse power and do not do the God honoring thing when put in positions of authority is a whole different discussion. As a Christian the whole mosque deal is not ideal; however it is thier right to build it in America on their own land with their own money. I would be interested in a blog from you discussing how the Obama Administration continues to attempt to violate the Constitution; expanding on your statement above. Matthew 6 is providing guidance about ceasing time/effort with people who repeatedly "choose" not to understand or acknowledge the truth of God's word and what is right in his eyes.
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