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In a representative democracy, people elect representatives to make political decisions and pass laws for them. In a direct democracy, people make all political decisions and pass laws themselves.

People can pay attention to the news in order to be aware of the most important issues of the day. They can contribute money to a campaign or attend a rally in support of a political candidate whose views they favor. They can write letters to members of Congress and to state and local politicians. They can vote.

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Romans 13:1–7. lesson 24. the christian and his government..

KeyNotes: Examples of OT and NT civil disobedience. Tertullian and the early Church. The Puritan covenant. The divine right of kings. Advantages of the democratic system. Legislating morality.

The topic of the citizen and his government is the subject of an enormous amount of literature and discussion. There is almost universal agreement that government is necessary for human life. This lesson will say what the Bible says about it. A little American history will help us apply Scripture to government.

13:1  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities.          There is no authority except from God and it exists by God’s institution. 13:2 Anyone who resists, resists what God has appointed. 3:3 Those who resist are under judgment for doing evil.          Do good and you will be approved. Do wrong and be afraid. 13:4 He is God’s servant, wearing the sword to execute God’s judgment on the wrong-doer. 13:5  Be subject to avoid wrath--God’s and the administrator's-- for the sake of your own conscience. 13:6  Pay taxes, revenues, respect, and honor as required.

The word "God’s servant" (Gr. diakonos; deacon in English) is used twice in 13:4. The Greek word for God’s minister in 13:5 is leitourgos in Greek; liturgist in English. That word was commonly used for those who did public service. So the governor is our deacon and our mayor is our liturgist, our public servant.

There is little doubt about what Paul says. Three other voices in the NT echo this teaching. “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, to speak evil of no one…” Titus 3:1–2

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme or to governors sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” I Peter 2:13–17

Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt. 22:21 God has instituted human government for our good. We must respect it because we respect Him.

We are also to give the government our prayer support. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.” I Tim. 2:1–2

The OT also advocates godly and just leadership in government.

“You shall not revile God nor curse a ruler of your people.” (Ex. 22:28) “I charged your judges at that time…judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien that is with him. You shall not be partial in judgment; you shall hear the small and great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man for the judgment is God’s....” Deut. 1:16-

The Psalmist admonishes Israel’s judges in Psa. 72 and 82. “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psa. 82:3–4 “By me (Wisdom) kings reign and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule and nobles govern the earth.” Prov. 8:15 Jeremiah exhorted the last king of Judah: “Do justice, and righteousness; and deliver from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless and the widow nor shed innocent blood in this place.” Jer. 22:3

Civil disobedience and revolt, however, were an inevitable part of OT life. The midwives refused Pharaoh’s order to kill the Hebrew boy babies. Ex. 1:17 Israel had seven or eight revolts against the neighboring countries that oppressed it, as described in the Judges. Twice in the OT, God authorized an uprising against the authority of an Israelite king. *Jeroboam was authorized by a prophet to revolt against Rehoboam. I Kings. 11:26–40 *Elisha commissioned Jehu to wipe out the house of Ahab. II Kings. 9:6–9 David, on the other hand, was not permitted to attack Saul or his kin.

The OT shows that God’s authorizes the powers in government. However, that does not imply that God exercises complete control over them or approves of whatever they do. *He let the Pharaoh of the Exodus defy Him so that His glory might be demonstrated. Rom. 9:17 *He authorized Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Jerusalem and the nations around with a threat to those who resisted (Jer. 27:6 -11). Isaiah prophetically denounced the King of Babylon’s “unrelenting persecution”: “the staff of the wicked that smote the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows….” (Isa. 14:5–6). Later God forced Nebuchadnezzar to his knees. Dan. 4:25–27 *He called Cyrus of Persia His “Anointed” to bring Israel back from captivity, although Cyrus did not know who his Master was. Isa. 45:1 *The Angel of God fought with the Prince of Greece and the Prince of Persia (Dan. 10:20), a contest we would love to know more about. The NT also has a few examples of civil disopedience. Peter and the other apostles withstood the Jerusalem authorities. Acts 4–7. The NT addresses other political problems. The Zealots were a sect of the Jews that refused any king but God. They refused to pay taxes and killed some of their countrymen whom they considered collaborators with Rome. They were terrorists and were instrumental in provoking the final destruction of Israel by the Romans, and the Second Diaspora. The Jews may have rioted in Rome, explaining why they were expelled by Claudius. (Acts18:2). Paul wanted to make sure that the Church stood clear of any rebellion.

The Church was protected by the Romans in its early days because an edict of Gallio (Acts 18:14) made the Christians a sect of Judaism, which was a minority protected by the Romans. Paul suffered much more from the Jews than the Romans on his missionary journeys. He ultimately was carried off to Rome to escape persecution by the Jews. So the church was under pressure from multiple sources: the Jews, the Romans, and its own people.

The Roman Christians must not revolt and bring disrepute on the name of Christ. Even though He was crucified as a criminal, His followers must behave as saints to refute the prejudices of the pagans. The early Christians who had been freed from sin were tempted to think of themselves as freed from everything. A similar problem erupted after the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, when radical reformers acted out in scandalous ways that hurt the cause of the Reformation.

The Christians' perception of the Roman government changed remarkably by the time John wrote the Apocalypse. Rome was now The Great Whore of Babylon, “drunk with the blood of saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” (Rev. 17:6–18). The saints were instructed to “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues….” (Rev.‘:4). How much of this description of Rome is prophetic for the future as well as descriptive of New Testament times is a problem of interpretation.

The early Church nevertheless took Paul and Peter’s instruction to heart.

“We offer prayer for the safety of our princes to the eternal, the true, the living God, whose favor, beyond all other things, they must themselves desire…. Without ceasing, for all our emperors we offer prayer. We pray for life prolonged; for security to the empire; for protection for the imperial house; for brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, the world at rest—whatever, as man or Caesar, an emperor would wish.” –- a quotation from Tertullian, b. 160 AD. (The Letter to the Romans; W. Barclay; Westminster,’75; p.172.)

Paul’s command not to resist authority has not been universally appreciated. “These seven verses have caused more unhappiness and misery in the Christian East and West than any other seven verses in the NT.”  They are the basis of the Divine Right of Kings and have been used in the defense of many dictatorial regimes. The verses were used by southern pastors who opposed emancipation of the slaves. However we can see from the Scriptures that the command to submit is not absolute. Conscientious civil disobedience is also required.

The whole concept of government changed drastically in the 200 years after the Reformation. We owe much to the English struggles between the Crown and the Church and the impact of the French Revolution. There are two religious influences prominent in the development of our government, the Puritan and the Republican.

The Puritans are the evangelical church’s spiritual ancestors. They developed the concept that God made a covenant with Christian nations as an application of God’s covenant with Israel. The Puritans interpreted national prosperity and peace as God’s reward for righteousness. Conversely, they regarded wars and famine as evidence of God’s judgment. The Puritans tried and failed to purify the Church of England. They feared God’s wrath on England’s corrupt government and moved to “New England” where they hoped to form a just and godly society with Scripture as its basis. It was to be a theocratic state.

As the Colonies became wealthy and diverse, the prospects for a regenerate society faded and even a regenerate church membership became a disappointment. They tried to make the celebration of communion universal for the sake of unity of the society. This also failed. Jonathon Edwards came forward preaching a regenerate church membership. That sparked the first of several national revivals. The Puritans virtually disappeared after two generations in the New World, but traces of their influence on government remain, such as “one Nation, under God , indivisible…”

The other influence was Republican, a secularizing mind-set from Europe that emphasized freedom, basic human virtue, an emphasis on the common good (commonwealth), a faith in human reason, universal salvation, Jesus as a moral guide, and Unitarianism. In short, modern liberalism was showing itself in the early 1700’s. However, there was enough Christian influence among the Founding Fathers, that Republicanism did not win either. The two influences were melded using the deistic language of the Founding Fathers. America managed to combine the spirit of religion and the ideal of liberty.

The outcome of governmental struggle in the US is unique.

We have a written constitution so that we are not vulnerable to arbitrary laws or decrees. We have a separation of powers (executive, legislative, and judicial) which is intended to prevent one person or group from dominating the country. We do not try to compel moral or religious virtue, a policy which led other governments to great cruelty in the past. Our separation of church and state protects us from interference with our spiritual work. We have many voluntary institutions that do good all over the world. We are not the subjects of a king. We are citizens, voters, participants in democratically elected governments. We have the right of referendum on important financial, ethical and political issues. We have a voice in the choice of officials from the sheriff to the President. Our government is decentralized into cities, counties, and states. We can become public officials ourselves.

A group of students discussed this question: Shall we impose our religious beliefs on our society?

They said “no” and gave five reasons:

A. We cannot legislate morality. B. We have a separation of Church and State. C. People should not be denied their civil rights (e.g. homosexuals). D. We have no right to impose our beliefs on others. E. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world.

I offered some rebuttal:

A. We certainly can and do legislate morality. The Civil Rights Acts of’60 changed the minds of many people about African-Americans. Sales of cigarettes and liquor are heavily taxed in order to curtail their use. Prostitution is prohibited. Laws against rape, murder and theft are partially effective. Graft and corruption in government are prosecuted.

B. The separation of church and state is intended to prevent the State from establishing a religion, or a religion from dominating the government. It does not prevent religious people from participating in government. Congressmen meet in their offices for Bible study. The President quotes Scripture. The Senate opens with prayer.

C. Civil rights are not the same for everyone. People who endanger others by their practices must be restrained. It is necessary to quarantine people with certain infectious diseases. People who have committed a felony cannot vote and cannot be employed in sensitive intelligence work. We cannot have pedophiles working with children. People who drive while intoxicated lose their drivers' licenses.

D. Every group tries to impose its beliefs on others. The philosophy of liberalism is worked out in the political life of the Country. Marxism influences social legislation. Atheists try to privatize religion. Evolutionists have prevented discussion of intelligent design in the public schools. Christian groups oppose abortion.

E. Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, but our government is in the hands of its citizens. We are admonished by our government to get involved, vote, join a party, work on city committees, write to our representatives, and speak to public issues. We must monitor the education of our children.

There are plenty of political issues for us to confront:          Abortion, embryonic life, euthanasia          Promiscuity, homosexuality, pornography          Poverty, homelessness, medical economics          Racism, justice, immigration          Education, family life, divorce          Terrorism, war, diplomacy, climate change

These cannot be solved by government alone or by our participation in it.

A revival of spiritual life is a crying need.

© A. MacKinney

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US government and civics

Course: us government and civics   >   unit 4.

• Personal rights
• Political rights
• Economic rights of citizenship
• Responsibilities of citizenship
• Obligations of citizenship
• Why do some citizens have to register for the draft?
• The rights and responsibilities of citizenship: level 1

The rights and responsibilities of citizenship: level 2

• (Choice A)   freedom of press A freedom of press
• (Choice B)   freedom of assembly B freedom of assembly
• (Choice C)   right to join professional organizations C right to join professional organizations
• (Choice D)   right to join a political party D right to join a political party

• whatsaap us: +254716214439
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This paper is on PROJECT: THE CITIZEN AND HIS GOVERNMENT. Is a picture really worth a thousand words? When is a speech more effective than a written article?

PROJECT: THE CITIZEN AND HIS GOVERNMENT

PROJECT: THE CITIZEN AND HIS GOVERNMENT Is a picture really worth a thousand words? When is a speech more effective than a written article? When is a brochure more powerful than a research paper? Why has visual media become so entrenched in our culture? Research shows that visually presented information is far more powerful than sound or text alone. And, the combination of images, text, and tactile media, via brochures or pamphlets, is still the most effective method for persuading an audience to become more involved with a product or group.

Recently, citizens have felt more isolated and disconnected from the government. Public trust in the government has dropped to near historic lows. However, public involvement has also faced the exact same downward trend over time. So, which came first? We will probably never know if the lack of involvement is a result of public distrust. But, we do know that the correlation exists. Disconnected citizens lead to disempowered governments.

For today’s project, you will be creating a pamphlet to encourage people in your neighborhood to become more involved in local government. The images and graphics you use will have a profound impact on the effectiveness of your message. So, your communication needs to be quick and meaningful. Your images must be captivating, while your message both persuades and informs your audience towards taking the next step in becoming more involved.

Examine the Prompt

Before you begin any written assignment, look closely at the prompt to determine what information you have been asked to find. You may want to make a checklist that includes the subject, a list of requirements, and any open-ended questions the prompt expects you to answer.

Take Notes Plan plenty of time for your research.

When you start your investigation, relax and jot down all the sources you find along the way. You never know which source you may need more information from.

Write down interesting information and facts that support your answers to the prompt questions. Remember, every bit of evidence in your notes may not make it into your final draft. However, when writing your first draft, too much information is better than too little.

Notes do not need to be perfect, but they need to withstand the test of time. Would you still be able to read and understand your notes if you had to stop researching for a few days? Could you relocate the original source if you needed extra information for your final draft? If not, slow down, write neatly, and add more details to your notes.

Make sure your notes are in your own words. This will help you to avoid plagiarism when you begin writing. If you do like a quote, make sure you include quotation marks in your notes, or else you might accidentally claim those words as your own.

THE DRAFTING PROCESS

Make Brochures to Hold Onto The power of the pamphlet is that your prospects (in this case, your neighbors) will keep the information with them. You must offer important information and dates. If you include the following items, you will have a better chance of creating a successful brochure:

Carefully pick the opportunities available.

Give a reason to act “now” instead of procrastinating.

Detail exactly how to take action and get involved.

Craft Your Titles

After you have a clear understanding of the prompt and have completed the majority of your research, you are ready to create the titles and subheadings. Each section of text must have a title or a subheading. This will make your information easy to find. Make sure your titles directly answer the questions asked within the prompt and present the subject of your text. Your pamphlet must be clear, attractive, and brief.

Write with Your Audience in Mind

All writers must consider the reason they are writing and the audience for whom they are writing. Each time you write for school, your audience is ultimately your instructor; so make sure you address the entire prompt.

Sometimes the prompt will ask you to focus on a certain audience. For example, today’s prompt suggests you address your neighbors. Because of your assigned audience, you may need to explain exactly how to become involved. However, let’s imagine you were creating pamphlets for a group of professional volunteers. In the latter scenario, you would not have to explain how to become involved. As you plan your brochure, remember your purpose and audience; both can change the type of information you include.

Look at the hands in this picture. The photographer was using the Rule of Thirds vertically. When creating your brochure, a professional appearance is important. Graphic designers often use the Rule of Thirds. The Rule of Thirds is a guideline based on a human tendency to be drawn to images, design, and graphics that are easily divided into three parts. The trifold brochure is already divided into three equal parts vertically, but it can be divided into three parts horizontally, too. Consider the balance of threes when placing text, pictures, and graphics. Even within images, the Rule of Thirds applies. A photographer might purposely place objects in the foreground, middle ground, and background. When placing text boxes, keep in mind the Rule of Thirds for balance, especially on a trifold brochure.

Today, you will use research, graphics, and images to create a brochure to persuade and inform a neighbor. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting only the most significant and relevant facts, definitions, quotations, or other information. Use details from your investigation to support a central idea of involvement. Carefully choose your graphics and determine your placement of text based on the Rule of Thirds. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, and rewriting. You will need to follow the rules of grammar by using correct punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. Before uploading your final draft, make sure you have included several transitions, words, or phrases that will link sections of the text one to another.

Before completing your final draft, please look at the brochure rubric.

Prompt: Create a “Get Involved with Politics” brochure to be distributed in your neighborhood. The leaflet should outline three ways for the citizens of your community to become involved with issues you select. Your research should explore opportunities available to work as a volunteer or part-time in order to help improve the local government within your town or city. For each opportunity, please answer the following questions:

Who would they be helping? What is the service? When does the organization need help? Where is the organization located? Why should your neighbors help that particular cause? How can your neighbors contact those in charge in order to sign up? You may choose to start your investigation by attending school board meetings, as well as town or city hall meetings. You may also choose to research local election campaigns and/or organizations supporting a cause you admire. Your pamphlet must be visually appealing and informative. Provide a concluding section that supports your claim that the prospects need to become more involved. Be sure your concluding section flows from the information given.

QUESTIONS 1. Start your research: Find one program or grant offered through your local city government. List two concerns of your local school district. Also, List one local group that is attempting to raise money for their cause. List one upcoming event being celebrated in your town. Please use complete sentences and identify your source.

2.Which of the following is the best definition for The Rule of Thirds? The placement of sentences into three parts. The placement of images into groups of three. A trifold brochure. A guideline based on a human tendency to be drawn to images, design, and graphics that are easily divided into three parts

3.After carefully editing, please upload the final draft of your brochure. Remember to upload both sides of the brochure.

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