Political correctness has gone mad. We are systematically spoon fed from an early age the ideology that to lie down and let ourselves be walked over is somehow right!
Sermons and references to sacred scripture are used to back this up. (Except obviously when our country is invading another country for oil, diamonds, gold or whatever, then it’s seemingly perfectly OK, but for some reason this doesn’t seem to translate to our own lives on a personal level)
As a lawyer, with regard to the supposedly religious and moral basis of our laws, I’ve read some very interesting research carried out by a Christian writer. I myself am Catholic and this author is of the Protestant persuasion, but what I read crossed denominational boundaries and indeed is well worthy of consideration by non religious members and I agree with his conclusions to a great extent.
When Christ was on Earth, Judea was a hotbed (no change there then) with an oppressed and taxed population and an occupying oman force. It’s interesting to note that amongst the 12 Apostles Jesus chose along with Peter, James and John who were fishermen, Matthew who was a tax collector for the Romans, was also a man, “Simon the Zealot”.
Now the “Zealots” were essentially an Israeli guerrilla group of
freedom fighters who attacked the occupying Roman forces at any opportunity; a sort of Judean equivalent of the Provisional IRA.
The local people were oppressed and on one ocassion, the Pharisees, the ruling class, who wanted to keep peace with Rome at all costs, asked
Christ if they should pay their taxes to Caesar or not. The Bible states they thought they’d catch Him out. If He said “yes”, the
people would disapprove. if He said “No”, the Pharisees would have something to pin on Him and tell tales about.
But instead He requested a coin and when given one asked those around Him whose head was on it? He was told “Caesar’s” Then Christ replied, “So give to Caesar what he’s due, and give to God what he’s due” This was a truly brilliant answer leaving the Pharisees dumbfounded.
However it has since been taken as proof that people should give in, be submissive, pay your taxes to any government, Hitler … who-ever, basically do what you are told!!!
But bear in mind, Jesus knew what the Pharisees were up to. Plus He knew His audience comprised people these hypocrites wouldn’t even
touch. The poor, the oppressed, the sick, the lame, the protitutes, the downtrodden, the ordinary people, including fishermen and also
(as was one of his disciples) members of the Zealots.
So, did He say, “Yes, pay your taxes to this tyrant like good people should?” No! He did not! Instead he told them clearly, but cleverly to “Give Caesar what he’s due!”
Now, what d’you think the ordinary people thought Caesar Augustus was really due? This disgusting cruel, sexual deviant and pervert; this meglomaniac who claimed divinity, who killed his family, invaded Judea, killed and taxed the poor people in evry country he could? Certainly not their hard earned cash.
Christ’s reply was not meek and mild submission, but instead very carefully worded to play the pharisees, who he called snakes, at
their own game!
