Understood. I am not suggesting that we should refrain from all participation in government. I am simply pointing out that we have no obligation to consider the government the legitimate authority in any matter that directly contradicts Christian moral teachings. If one is faced with the choice of breaking a civil law or breaking God's laws, then the appropriate choice is obvious.
Absolutely correct. But I am just amazed at the number of Christians who actually think it is a 'sin' to vote or be involved politically in any manner. What they do not seem to grasp is that, if Christians don't get involved and try to pull the reins on this downward moral spiral, we have committed a sin of omission. It's the same as walking by a starving man and doing nothing to help him.
"Understood. I am not suggesting that we should refrain from all participation in government. I am simply pointing out that we have no obligation to consider the government the legitimate authority in any matter that directly contradicts Christian moral teachings. If one is faced with the choice of breaking a civil law or breaking God's laws, then the appropriate choice is obvious."
I see. As far as government not being considered the legitimate authority, I would agree. It's not unlike toying with the idea that morality is derived from government. You would have the same problems. Basically it becomes merely what government says it is, not what God says; or what thousands of years of cultural evolution say; or whatever one's religion might be says.