Posted on 08/15/2008 9:06:35 AM PDT by jazusamo
I'm not saying I'd admire him, but these weakness and vices would not nullify his ability to govern rightly.
However, one virtue which is essential, definitive, for good governance is the virtue of justice. If a man (or woman) lacks a strong commitment to justice, he or she simply cannot govern rightly.
Here's where abortion comes in. To deliberately and intentionally kill an innocent human being is the most primorial and fundamental offense against justice that a human being can commit.
To carry out such a killing is an act of outrageous injustice; to be an accomplice is to be corrupted by collusion in injustice; to justify it is to betray a dangerous deficiency in justice; and even to tolerate it shows a basic unfitness to exercise political power, since the power to govern others --- if it is not to be tyranny --- must embody the strictest principles of justice.
Much as I value virtues such as sobriety, humility, chastity, diligence, thrift, and even truthfulness and the rest, they are of secondary importance in the political realm, while justice is supreme.
If a man knowingly tolerates the ongoing deliberate killing of innocent human beings for whatever reason, he is intrinsically unfit to govern.
My God, that was beautiful. I would seriously rank that up with the most poignant statements I have ever read. Bravo.
Very well said, Mrs. D. Not only is he unfit to govern but as a professed Christian he seems to have forgotten that one day he will be judged.
That statement really cuts to the heart of the matter. There are many now, among those who describe themselves as "religious," who have convinced themselves that abortion is somehow a minor issue compared to "social justice" for those they see as poor and oppressed, nationally or internationally.
But who are the most deserving, the most needing, of justice? Who are, in Christ's words, "the least of my brethren?" Wouldn't that be those who cannot defend themselves, those who have no advocacy groups, or organizations, or political structures to defend them? Those whose very existence depends on the whim of one person or organization -- such as the unborn child, and those at the end of life? Those who die anonymously, for the sake of someone's convenience, with none to mourn the passing of their souls?
Let us insure justice for the "least," before we insist on justice for others.
--- and literally identifies with the child (as He does with the poor in Matthew 25) when He says, "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me; and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.