Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: X. OTerica
On the other hand, it would be inappropriate simply to refuse to issue them if their job requires them to.

Really? Allow me to present the following case which may illustrate the situation a bit more clearly. You are an officer in the German army in WWII. Orders come down that you are to round up all the civilians in your sector, kill them, and bury them in a mass grave. Do you resign your commission and let someone else do the dirty work? Or do you use your authority to prevent the atrocity from taking place, risking death for insubordination?

WWJD?
25 posted on 04/22/2005 10:48:59 AM PDT by Antoninus (Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini, Hosanna in excelsis!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies ]


To: Antoninus

You represent the Catholic Church doctrine as authoritative; I submit to you, however, that the Bible is the ultimate authority.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” [2 Timothy 3:16-17]

Where man’s law is in conflict with God’s law, God’s law should be obeyed. The Church is composed on Godly men, but men nevertheless. Where the Church’s doctrine is in conflict with Scripture, God’s word should be obeyed. As long as there is no conflict with Scripture, Church doctrine may be followed. Where there is no applicable Scripture or Church doctrine, then a Christian should follow their conscience.

Specifically, the Bible states that homosexuality is a sin; it does not say that issuing a marriage license to homosexuals is a sin. If the law required me to be a homosexual, I would refuse (clear conflict with God’s law). If I were a license clerk and the law required me to issue a marriage license to homosexuals, I would have to resign in protest (matter of conscience).

The Holocaust example puts a very fine point on this issue. Being commanded by superior officers to commit premeditated murder is a direct conflict with God’s law. Truly, your question WWJD is an interesting one. We know that Jesus died on the cross as a sin offering for all of us, so that whoever believes in Him will not die but have life everlasting. I suspect Jesus would have resisted unto death.

On the other hand, what would Jesus have US do? I am not qualified to attempt to answer. I know He would not have us submit; whether to resign, refuse, or obstruct, however, is the hard part. Again, a matter of conscience.

I would like to think I would obstruct at risk of my own death, since there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. In truth, I cannot know what I would have done.


30 posted on 04/22/2005 11:19:10 AM PDT by X. OTerica
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson