lunamoth
Episcopalian
A question sparked by Bananabrain's thread on non-violence in Islam, but this is for all religions having a law concerning obedience to one's government.
I know that in the NT Epistles there is a statement to the effect of obeying the laws of one's government, I know that Baha'i also have a law that they must obey, and also just learned that this is an Islamic law. I personally do not consider the NT statement a commandment from God (as I believe that Christians are under the law of Love), but it seems that most people who do consider this a law of God have the caveat that they must obey their government as long as it does not conflict with their religious obligations or laws.
The question then is...how do you decide which laws of government are OK to disobey because they go against your religious beliefs?
Could you hide a Jew in your attic if you were living in Nazi Germany?
Could you help a runaway slave on the Underground Railroad?
Could you protect a Baha'i in Iran if you are Muslim?
Can you refuse to go to war against a nation that has not provoked you if your government drafts you?
Can you give food and shelter to someone who is in need, but declared an enemy of your country?
This law about obedience to one's government seems like one that can't be treated rigidly as we must follow our conscience on matters like those above.
I know that in the NT Epistles there is a statement to the effect of obeying the laws of one's government, I know that Baha'i also have a law that they must obey, and also just learned that this is an Islamic law. I personally do not consider the NT statement a commandment from God (as I believe that Christians are under the law of Love), but it seems that most people who do consider this a law of God have the caveat that they must obey their government as long as it does not conflict with their religious obligations or laws.
The question then is...how do you decide which laws of government are OK to disobey because they go against your religious beliefs?
Could you hide a Jew in your attic if you were living in Nazi Germany?
Could you help a runaway slave on the Underground Railroad?
Could you protect a Baha'i in Iran if you are Muslim?
Can you refuse to go to war against a nation that has not provoked you if your government drafts you?
Can you give food and shelter to someone who is in need, but declared an enemy of your country?
This law about obedience to one's government seems like one that can't be treated rigidly as we must follow our conscience on matters like those above.