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Political guidelines
Does politics lead to well-being or disorder? The lessons of history are worth noting that the same mistakes are not repeated
This article discusses politics, its trends, and emphases. In what direction is morality in politics moving forward and does politics lead to well-being or does it put society in disarray? Does the policy take into account the Christian faith or is it based entirely on naturalistic values? Or how will foreigners be treated in the future? Among other things, these issues are being considered. We start with totalitarianism and the concentration of power.
CONCENTRATION OF POWER. If we should name one of the bloodiest and most brutal periods in history, the most likely option would be the last century. Tens of millions lost their lives in either wars or persecution by leaders. Well-known are e.g. the administrations of Stalin, Hitler, Mao and Pol Pot, as well as the numerous communist states where atheism has been an official doctrine. Indeed, communism based on atheism, and Nazism ideology have been the worst causes of destruction. If they had not come to power and influenced people’s minds, the development of many societies would have been different and more peaceful. These societies would have avoided the many sufferings that these ideologies led to. So why does totalitarianism appears time after time and dictators come to power? Several explanations can be found for this, but it seems that volatile conditions and economic crises are the main reason. This was also the case in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. When the stock market crash began in October 1929 on Wall Street, it shook Germany in particular as the country’s exports stalled and American banks began demanding repayment of the huge loans they had given to German businessmen. Support for the Nazis exploded as a result of the economic crisis. They promised the unemployed work and food, the middle class protection against the scourge of communism, and the veterans a new stronger Germany. In addition, Hitler loudly threatened to oppose unrest and violence, even though it was the Nazi SA forces that were responsible for most of the street violence. The consequence of the promises was that the gaze turned to a new leader, who assured that Germany would turn to a new rise. They wanted leadership and a leader who would lead, and they were were not so picky about what leadership should be like. Indeed, Hitler initially improved the economy, albeit with the help of debt money, as he borrowed billions from abroad. However, the Germans had to pay a terrible price for Hitler’s leadership. The result was the suffering of the German people and the destruction of the structure of society. Millions lost their lives when they gave their consent to the new leader:
What led Germany to this strange situation was strange in itself. After the war, many were happy to wipe out the old order and get rid of the emperor. But when the old monarch finally left the palace, those who demanded his departure were suddenly lost. They found themselves in a similar crazy situation as a dog who has caught a car by chasing it eagerly and then can’t figure out what to do with it - so it looks around furtively, looking guilty and creeps away. Germany had no history of democracy and had no idea how democracy works, so the country was torn apart by rioting by disputed factions; each faction blamed the others for everything that went wrong. This is what they knew: there had been law, order, and posture under the emperor; now there was chaos. The emperor had been a symbol of the nation; now there were only petty politicians… Germany wanted to restore its former glory, but the only means available was the language of democracy, which had lost its power. Thus, on January 30, 1933, the people elected in a democratic election a man who had vowed to destroy the democratic government they hated. Hitler's election to office destroyed the post. (1)
Economic crises can therefore be dangerous because they lead to a concentration of power. If rulers are prone to hatred, if they do not respect people, or if they think they are not responsible for what they do after this life, they can cause great harm. The atheist rulers Stalin, Mao, and Hitler who lived in the 20th century are examples of such rulers. What is the teaching of the Bible on this subject? On the Old Testament side, there is some mention of this subject. When the people request to the king, it was neither God's will nor a benefit to the nation. This is a good lesson also in modern times. Power easily corrupts man and perfect power can corrupt him completely. Ecclesiastical power can do the same. For example, the power of the pope, who ruled especially in the Middle Ages, is a deviation from the will of God. Decentralized power is a safer option for the development of society. It is also useful if the leaders have expertise in financial and other matters and they pursuit of good. This kind of society is best for people.
- (1 Sam 12:13,16-19) Now therefore behold the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have desired! and, behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call to the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18 So Samuel called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.
In the search for the safest model for the development of society, decentralized power is clearly the best option, as it takes into account human sinfulness. It is useful if the legislatures, the judiciary system and the executive power are separate entities. Then there is less room for corruption and abuse. In dictatorial countries, this usually does not happen. Switzerland once went even further. Power was not only divided into three branches, but in addition, each institution was placed in a different city. In addition, power was divided at the national level, i.e. the cantonal level (corresponding to the states and provinces) and the city level. Models like this protect against excessive concentration of power and large-scale abuses. The following comment continues on the subject, showing how important it is that the state does not control all aspects of life. This prevents totalitarianism:
Althius defended the autonomy of social blocks, which prevents the concentration of power in the hands of the state. Genuine pluralism arises when different social relations are organized according to their own laws. It is the tension between them that secures individual freedom. One of the best ways to protect the rights of the individual is to protect the rights of families, churches, schools, business enterprises, and voluntary associations – detached individuals are very vulnerable to totalitarian control, as Hannah Arendt shows in The Origins of Totalitarianism. Strong independent groups limit the power of the state: each social institution takes responsibility for its own sector of activity – the state does not control all aspects of life. (2)
Towards totalitarianism. As stated, it is not quite insignificant what kind of governance there is in society. The absence of laws, justice and civil liberties prevents society from developing in a positive way. There have been many such societies throughout history. The worst of them have been the totalitarian societies that emerged in the last century. In them millions of people were killed and human rights were in low level. What about the present and the future? Many think that the same cannot happen in our time as what happened in Nazi Germany or what happened when Communism came to power in many countries. However, this should not be considered too certain. History repeats itself and if economic conditions deteriorate, anything is possible. It is worth learning from past experiences. It is possible that, as a result of economic difficulties, we will once again go to a situation where power is concentrated and totalitarianism enters society. In general, it implies the following things that are its hallmarks:
• Political power is concentrated on a small group or just one person. In Nazi Germany it was concentrated on Hitler, in Italy on Mussolini, in China on Mao, or in Uganda in the 1970s on Idi Amin. Many have also predicted, based on biblical prophecies, that the same will happen in the territory of today's European Union. For some, this may be hard to believe, but in reality, the concentration of power and the idea of a federation has progressed year after year in the Union. The larger a conglomerate like the EU becomes, the more difficult it is to control, and the more likely it is to pave the way for dictatorship and small group control. Already, EU legislation goes beyond national laws, which can be considered a dangerous development. At some point, power may be even more concentrated, and may happen as it did in the time of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. Anything is possible, especially if the economy goes worse.
• Political opposition is suppressed. This was the case in all communist countries as well as in Nazi Germany, where the Gestapo police terror prevented the free operation of other parties.
• Restrictions on freedom of the press and expression are typical of totalitarian states. In the West, this good thing, freedom of speech, is being abused. It is used to spread evil through TV, such as violence, pornography and other injustices.
• Nationalism is common in totalitarian states. In a negative sense, it means not respecting and valuing other peoples and ethnic groups. Racism is an example of such behavior. Positive nationalism differs from the previous one. It values other ethnic groups as well, acknowledging that people in different nations may be different but still valued. It can also mean co-operation between nations, if necessary.
• Denial of religious freedom is common. The Christian faith in particular is being attacked. Jesus is considered evil, as he himself stated (Luke 6:22: Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as Evil, for the Son of man's sake.).
• Replacing the Christian faith with another, e.g., a leadership cult, is typical of a totalitarian society. So it was in Nazi Germany. Young people were taught to hate the Christian religion and world of values and to believe in the divine power of the Führer. In addition, they were taught the idea of race and how the Germans were superior to other races. The American correspondent, Howard K. Smithin, gives his review about the Hitler schools in 1941.
“In addition to reading, writing, counting, and fake German history, the boys are taught how a coal mine works and how to build bridges; in addition, they have to meet such physical demands that the youth of Sparta would be worse. ” This upbringing, Smith summed up, “is basically just brainwashing. The boys are reminded of the belief that Germans are superior to all other peoples, they are instilled with a ruthless idea of race, they learn to hate the Christian religion and world of values, and they believe in the divine power of the Führer. After leaving Adolf Hitler schools they are technically skilled, powerful, clean, and active young people, but they are only able to weigh moral values just a little better than an orangutan… The highest goal that lurks in their eyes is the death of a hero. ” (3)
The second comment continues on the same subject. God was replaced by fidelity to the homeland or the Führer, who were identified with each other. The former Hitler-young tells what kind of education he received:
God, and also the virtues of charity and truth-likeness, were cut off from ethics and replaced by allegiance to the fatherland — or to the Führer, which was identified with the former. It was, of course, false ethic. (Manfred Rommel, born in 1928) (4)
• Many totalitarian states are characterized by youth movements harnessed to the prevailing ideology of society. For example, in communism, the Soviet Union had a Komsomol organization for 14-26 year olds and a Young Pioneers organization for 9-14 year olds. They had a total of tens of millions of members. Similarly, in Nazi Germany, there was the Hitler-jugend organization, which in 1935 included half of the 10-18-year-olds and just before Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939, almost all young people. Young people were instilled with the notion that they are a new generation and better than their parents. In addition, this organization had such a feature that the patrols informed the police and the Gestapo of hostile attitudes as well as Nazi-critical speeches. A similar reporting system has been common in communist countries.
Your child already belongs to us. What are you? You will die, but your offspring are already in the new camp. They will soon know of nothing else. (Adolf Hitler, 1933) (5)
Of course, young people are impressed when they are told that they are the future, they are decisive, the old ones will disappear one day anyway. (Hans-Jochen Vogel, born in 1926) (6)
“We felt we were a‘ new generation ’. We felt like we were ‘elected’, ”says Harald Scholtz, a former Adolf-Hitler schoolboy. "We are the ones who are bringing to Europe a reform that everyone must embrace." (7)
• The idea of a community or state more important than the family is important in a totalitarian society. For example, in communist states, parents were required not to teach anything that is contrary to the state and the party. In particular, religion was forbidden to be taught (even modern atheists demand a similar model as in the communist states, where the theory of evolution was taught as truth, and “scientific” Marxism-Leninism was taught). The words of communist Z.I. Lilina are famous . In them, he taught that children belong to the state and must be saved from the disgusting influence of the family:
We have to save these children from the disgusting influence that the family provides. In other words, we have to nationalize them. They must be taught the ABCs of communism so that they may later become real communists. Our task now is to obligate the mother to give her children to us – the state. (8)
The Hitler-jugend also had a similar goal of educating young people to a prevailing idea where there was no place for God. The community was considered the most important of all:
This overemphasis of the community, the fact that everything should have been sacrificed for the community, this overemphasis was quite self-evident in the Hitler-jugend. (Hans-Jochen Vogel, born in 1926) (9)
POLITICS AND RACISM. One area of policy is the relationship with foreign people and minorities. Racism and intolerance have gained more ground in the political arena. Xenophobia and selfishness have become widespread in many countries, and open racist groups have a lot of influence. It has also changed the politics of the ruling parties and affected society as a whole. Immigrants such as Muslims as well as Roma, Jews, homosexuals and other minority groups are at risk. The main reason for the xenophobia of politicians and other people is economic considerations. There are, of course, powerful racists who react negatively towards others mere by skin color, or some difference, but usually money means the greatest reason to xenophobia. We do not always want others to benefit from this well-being, from which we ourselves get enjoy. Many think that refugees and other groups just want to take advantage of comprehensive social security in the West. One does not think that refugees and foreigners can also be a resource that brings more jobs and workers as well as wealth to social interaction. It is also easy to forget that there has always been immigration. Nearly two million people have moved from northern Europe to America in search of bread and work. Similarly, from the rest of Europe people have moved to America in the hope of better circumstances. Luckily for them , they ended up among people who had just similar ethnic backgrounds. People do neither take into consideration the teaching of the Bible about hospitality and loving strangers. One indication of this was that tithe were collected, not only to help the Levites, but also the widows, orphans, and strangers. Foreigners had to be helped as well as own citizens:
- (Deut 14:28,29) At the end of three years you shall bring forth all the tithe of your increase the same year, and shall lay it up within your gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he has no part nor inheritance with you,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
- (Lev 19:33,34) And if a stranger sojourn with you in your land, you shall not vex him. 34 But the stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
As stated, are at high risk e.g. Muslims, Romani people, Jews and homosexuals. Of these, Muslims are the largest group of immigrants in Europe, so it contributes to explaining negative attitudes towards them. However, the Romani people have the weakest minority position in Europe. Their situation is difficult because they have unemployment, poverty and, in some countries, they are outside access to education and health services. Attempts have also been made to deport them from begging in many countries - as if poverty had been made a crime. In addition, anti-Roma rhetoric has become more common over the years. They are one of the most discriminated groups:
Discrimination, street violence against Muslims and increasingly angry voices in the European media have followed than on demand. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which surveyed the living conditions of Muslims in 14 EU countries, one third of Muslims have experienced discrimination. In addition, 11 percent of respondents had been victims of racist crime. The vast majority (79 per cent) of Muslims, as well as other minority groups in the FRA study, had failed to report their crimes and discrimination to the authorities. (10)
Today, Europe’s 10 million Roma are the most endangered minority on the continent, clearly discriminated against more than any other large minority group (such as Jews or Muslims). This was stated by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in its report in spring 2010. The most frequently mentioned figure, 10-12 million, is a rather conservative estimate. Probably the amount is much higher. (11)
What about the treatment of homosexuals? In some countries, they are subjected to violent treatment and desecration. This is what happens e.g. In Eastern European countries. From a biblical perspective, practicing this thing is a sin, but it is equally wrong to hate one’s neighbor. Indeed, the right approach is to warn our neighbor of wrong choices and sin, but we do not hate him. Here is a boundary between right and wrong. Everyone is a sinner in some areas of life. Others may have sex outside of marriage, others may have other reasons. All people should repent of their wrong doings:
- (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:
In this regard, it can be said that many far-right organizations may support conservative values. They may oppose abortion, homosexuality, advocate for family values, and speak out for law and order, but at the same time, they may hate some groups of people. They accept some values from the general moral law, but when anger is the impetus for what they do, they cause more destruction than positive things. A good example of such a person was Hitler. He made abortion illegal, homosexuals were hard-pressed and he promised to bring law and order, but at the same time he hated Jews and other groups of people. When people were asked afterwards why Hitler came to power, one reason was precisely that he promised to bring law and order.
Which direction are we going? As racism increases, one reason is undoubtedly the increase in immigration that some politicians are seizing. If the economic crisis deepens and youth unemployment increases, it will further increase xenophobia. Attitudes towards immigrants can turn negative if the economy does not pick up. How can immigrants and refugees be helped? At the very least, we must renounce all racism. We will not overcome this problem if we favor wrong attitudes. Otherwise, the world may soon go to similar chaos as in the 1930s. This is possible if we don't repel in time wrong attitudes towards other people. One option is to seek to support those people who are in the poorest countries and who are planning to move. If they receive financial assistance in their own country, they can continue living in a culture they are familiar with. This would avoid potential conflicts arising from massive moving. Most people want to live in their home country if there are good and stable conditions and jobs on offer. Emanuel Minos, who has experience from wartime, explains how it is possible to drift into the same situation as it was in Germany in the 1930s. He sees signs of danger in current developments, as anti-foreign politicians can take advantage of it:
In Eastern Europe, Jews faced persecution, pogroms, religious prejudice, and poverty, and they sought relatively tolerant cities such as Vienna, Berlin, Munich, and Nuremberg. As their troops grew, so did anti-Semitism. Everything happened in about 70 years… Our memory is often short. In our time, new immigrants come to Scandinavia every day, a people who are more foreign than Jews or Roma. And we can see that prejudices are increasing at the pace of immigration… The question is whether Europe should take significant steps over time to stem the uncontrolled flow to rich countries. This could include significant industrial, economic and humanitarian aid to the third world. If we do not provide substantial support, the consequences could be fatal. I am afraid that extreme conservative politicians will gradually come to power in the National Parliaments of European countries, even in Scandinavia. Are we aware of how people’s opinions are changing? Are we aware that even the speeches of reform-minded politicians during election campaigns get a tone that follows prejudiced attitudes because they are otherwise afraid of losing voters? … As sincere Christians, we must resist such developments. Let us not give help to politicians who exploit people’s fear of foreigners. We need to learn from the past. It all started from so small and ended in a horrible way. As for anti-Semitism and racism, the third ringing has really been heard. (12)
PROPHECIES. What does the future hold? Is the world better or worse tomorrow? These are things that interest many and because of that they may study horoscopes or otherwise try to figure out what they have in front of them. They may be very interested to know in which direction their own life or the situation in society is moving. However, few take into account that many things have been predicted in advance. This may even include our own behavior. We may consider ourselves wise and progressive, but be ignorant of how we fulfill the prophecies uttered decades or even centuries ago. Next we are going to bring up some prophecies by David Wilkerson from his book Näky (The Vision, 1973). This book contain prophecies of the development of society and the various currents that will occur. When the subject of this writing is politics, many of the prophecies relate to this very area. It means that when there are different currents in society, they influence political decisions at some point. Politicians read gallup polls and usually make decisions based on them. However, they do not take into account that their actions have been known to God all along and have been foretold. There are a few such prophecies in Wilkerson’s book Vision, which we will examine next. He brought up e.g. issues such as economic tightening, attitudes toward environmentalists, moral collapse, general acceptance of homosexual behavior in church and society, and how marijuana will be legalized. It is difficult to deny that many of these things have already taken place or are taking place. We live in remarkable times.
Economic tightening. Wilkerson predicted that the years since 1973 will be the luckiest times in history, and that people will consume more than ever. However, many would become indebted and credit institutions would run into great trouble. Such a development has indeed taken place. When, for example, the Lehman Brothers investment bank in the US collapsed in September 2008 as a result of the financial crisis, it led to an increase in government debt by more than a third over the next 19 months. That means more than $ 10,000 in additional debt per inhabitant.
Despite all the signs of imminent economic destruction, the coming years (since 1973) are the luckiest times in human history. They will be lucrative and thriving years. Despite tight monetary policy, people are constantly spending a lot of their money. Sales are at an all-time high, and people are consuming more than ever before in recent history. Credit debt is growing to almost impossible proportions. … I think we see some of America’s largest and best known companies going bankrupt. Credit institutions are facing enormous difficulties. There are a lot of people who are unable to pay large debts to large credit institutions; this causes almost chaos. (13)
Accusations against environmentalists. Wilkerson predicted in 1973 that environmentalists would not be very popular in the years to come. Progress in this direction has already taken place. Before, these people were admired, but negativity towards their actions has increasedI see a terrible accusation against ecologists and environmentalists. Experts appear who question the work of environmental protection agencies. There is opposition to those who are in favor of environmental control in speeches, magazine articles and general debates. It will be popular to despise the findings of these committees and to oppose the programs proposed by state and local environmentalists. (13)
The moral collapse has really come true. This can be noticed if you follow the developments on TV and the internet. Even young children are exposed to material that was rare in past decades.
Oh, all residents of the earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in his great anger to deceive, if possible, even the elect of God. And how does Satan try to tease and deceive even the elect of God? I believe that Satan will try to tempt mankind by bringing about a collapse in morality. He will open the floodgates of hell and try to sink the world under erotic dirt, indecency, and sensuality. This collapse in morality can be won by nothing the human mind can conjure. Already, the demonic spirit of lust sweeps over many nations bringing about nakedness, perversity, and the flood of dirt. (...) (13)
Accepting homosexuality. Wilkerson predicted that homosexuality would be accepted in both society and the church. This prophecy has also come true, as the secular media has sided with this issue as have the liberal clergy. This turnaround has taken place in just over ten years.
There are two forces that prevent gays from dedicating themselves completely to their sin: society does not accept them and the church's teachings are against them. But these barriers will disappear, when society no longer resists their sin and deems it abnormal, but on the contrary encourages them to continue, and when the church no longer preaches about their sin, but supports them in their sexual activities. The floodgates will open, and the gays will be encouraged to continue in their sin. I have seen in my vision that these two obstacles will be wiped away and when they are taken away, chaos will follow. (13)
Legalization of marijuana. One particular prophecy of Wilkerson relates to the legalization of marijuana. This prophecy, made just over 40 years ago, is topical in many countries. Many political circles want to change drug legislation and legalize mild drugs.
Marijuana will be legalized. Everything is legalized, which causes us problems. But legalized marijuana leads to boredom. In the future, there will be more dissatisfied adults than teenagers looking for excitement. Drug burning becomes a problem for adults. The popularity of LSD and other psychoactive substances is declining. I predict that students will seek to develop themselves mentally instead of seeking satisfaction through drugs. We always have a drug problem among us, but it is nowhere near as serious as anger in homes. (13)
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. Many politicians want to abandon the Christian faith. They think it has no practical significance for people’s lives and society. They see it as an outdated and false notion not to be believed. Modern man seeks the building blocks of his life from other worldviews and views. However, the Christian faith, if genuine, is relevant in several areas, including economic affairs. If the principles of the Ten Commandments are followed, it will affect the economic sector and other areas. Politicians often want to keep social spending under control, but a very large proportion of it is due to wrong lifestyles. Without them, society's social spending would be greatly reduced. Here are a few examples.
Home and family. The breakdown of families is one of the scourges of our time. Until a hundred years ago, divorces were very rare (for example, in Finland, between 1901 and 1910, there were about 125 divorces a year), but now more and more families are breaking up as a result of the divorces. The Bible's teaching on the permanence of marriage is not followed. Activities are needed in this area to strengthen homes.
- (Hebr 13:4) Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
- (Mal 2:14-16) Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And why one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, said that he hates putting away: for one covers violence with his garment, said the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that you deal not treacherously.
So what is the consequence of the breakdown of families? At least they become financially expensive (eg Etelä-Suomen Sanomat reports on 25 January 2011: “Divorce is costly for many”) in the following ways:
• The more families break up, the more the costs to society increase in the form of subsidies. For example, in Finland in 2009, there were about 70,700 children and young people as clients of child welfare social work and within the scope of outpatient support measures. Of these, more than 16,000 children were placed outside the home. Single parents are also in an awkward position because they have to take care of rent and other expenses alone when before there were two. They often have to make a choice between children and work.
• Fatherlessness is a serious consequence of divorces. It can manifest in children’s lives in many ways, including in the school world as a small example shows. An increasing proportion of teachers ’time is spent on disciplinary action, law enforcement or special education. The trend has continued the same for a few decades. The big reason for this is certainly the diminishing importance of the Christian faith in society, the disintegration of families, and that respect for authorities has diminished. If development has taken place, at least it has not increased the overall happiness and well-being of society. The situation has deteriorated and children in particular are suffering from development.
When I was speaking at a certain men's camp in Hume Lake in California, I mentioned that the average father spends only three minutes of quality time with his child a day. After the meeting, one man questioned my information. He scolded, "You preachers only say things. According to the latest research, the average father doesn't spend even three minutes daily with his children, but 35 seconds." I believe him because he worked as a school inspector in central California. Actually, he gave me another startling statistic. In a certain school district in California there were 483 students in special education. None of those students had a father at home. In a certain area on the outskirts of Seattle, 61% of children live without a father. The absence of a father is a curse nowadays. (14)
• Crime is related this subject because most criminals come from broken families or have spent some time in institutional care. It shows how important the support and presence of both parents is for children.
It is sad that the placement of unsafe children in institutions where it is difficult for them to establish close human contact has increased and that placement in private homes has decreased. Here, too, we can see the cooling of love for children. When you don't have children of your own, you don't want to take a stranger either. People's desire for comfort has grown... All the killers described in this book have spent some time in institutional care. It already provides some evidence of what institutional children become. They are common customers in courts of justice. The most major reason behind the crimes seems to be the lack of a father and mother, the lack of love. (15)
Drug and alcohol addictions are a major reason for the rising costs to society. The more drug addicts and alcoholics there are, the more families break up, people are marginalized, forced out of work and the number of illnesses increases. All of these things become financially expensive. It has been estimated that in Finland, for example, alcohol costs a billion euros a year directly to society and indirectly up to five billion euros (Kauppalehti 16 September 2011). Hundreds of thousands are dependent on alcohol. How does the Christian faith relate to this topic? In short, when a person encounters God, he or she usually gets rid of his or her alcohol or drug addiction at some point. Thousands can testify how this has happened to them. Social programs without the gospel are much less effective in these areas. The best results are achieved when people have spiritual motivation and support staff around them. Even the worst addictions can end. David Wilkerson, who worked with drug addicts in New York and thought he had met more drug users than anyone else in the world, says:
We simply believe in God's power of breaking the Shackles of habit and also making the Victory thus achieved last through faith. I'm not interested in whether other professional organizations fighting drug addiction accept my method or not. I know that drug addicts accept it. I challenge anyone in the world to bring a hundred people cured from drug addiction to the same event, as we have done. As of yet, nobody has responded to this challenge. We can present to you thousands of former drug addicts who were completely freed from drugs and filled with the power of God. (16)
Abortion and the economy. One of the problems in modern society is the debt problem. It would be possible to stop it if taxes were raised in time to a level where expenditure would be covered. The longer current developments and indebtedness are allowed to continue, the more difficult it will be to stop later. At some point there will be a sudden stop. One reason for the current debt problem is also the skew of the population pyramid due to abortion. Failure to keep God’s commandment “You shall not kill” (Ex 20:13) has led to an economic problem. For example, it is estimated that 0.5 million people (10% of the population) are missing in Finland due to abortion. Probably there would be no pension problem or it would be much milder if these people were still alive. There would be more young working taxpayers and more tax revenue. Pension expenditure and other social expenditure would be easier to manage if there were more taxpayers.
Violence in society can become financially costly. One assault can cost tens of thousands of euros or more, so it is not a question of small sums. What causes the violence? The biggest reason is a lack of respect and a lack of love for fellow human beings. Neighbors are not valued as they should be. Just following Jesus' teachings would eliminate violence:
- (Matt 7:12) Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
- (Matt 22:39,40) And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Mental problems and illnesses often arise on the same basis and can lead to the exclusion of people. They are usually based on physical violence, sexual abuse, or mental rejection such as school bullying. Man feels himself rejected, and it makes him sick. Mental problems and illnesses can also stem from drug use or occultism, but the most common cause is still difficult interpersonal experiences. We need more compassion for people to be healed mentally.
- (1 John 3:11) For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
- (1 John 4:21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
Greed, corruption and injustice are the causes of poverty in society. The more greedy, corrupt and injustice people are in society, the less it is possible for society to develop economically. The money goes to those who are already rich, but the poor remain in poverty. There have been such societies especially in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, where wealth disparities have been great and where the Christian faith has not had much of an impact in the past. However, Western societies have also drifted into ever-increasing wealth disparities. There were similar differences in wealth just before the recession of the 1930s in America. Loren Cunningham, who has visited every country in the world, shares his observations on this topic:
For over fifty years in my travels I have paid attention to three things that drive the country onto the brink of poverty and make it impossible for people to reach their full potential. These three things make up the “trinity of evil”, that is greed, corruption and injustice, which I mention in chapter 18. All three things are opposites of both God's nature and the way he originally created people, and our responsibility to live according to the truth. The impact of these three evil things can easily be seen in the majority of poor countries. I don’t mean that in these countires every person is greedy, corrupted or unfair, but those characteristics dominate in society. If big enough of a crowd in powerful positions acts blatantly greedy, it is followed by corruption, blackmail and giving and accepting bribes. Injustice inevitably is the consequence of all this. How big of a portion of the population do we need for this? There is no clear percentage, but I would estimate that around 25-35 per cent of the population is enough. It doesn’t even need to be the majority. You know that a sufficient amount has been reached, when you start to notice a change in the tone of the culture… The same principle goes the other way. Any nation can hold greed in check by practicing generosity. Any country that has a righteous government, can experience economic growth and freedom of the citizens. (17)
What is Bible's counsel on this subject? It is talked about in numerous places. If we followed these guidelines, it would make society more equal and fairer. Giving up greed could also increase jobs. The problem is in the selfish nature of man. Bonuses to executive, high salaries, unnecessary dismissal of employees, or ongoing salary demands by employees are examples of greed. The more everyone demands for themselves, the more there is unemployment and the state of society is deteriorating. Greed, corruption and injustice lead to it.
- (James 5:1-4) Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come on you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver is corroded; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, cries: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
- (Luke 3:12-14) Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Master, what shall we do? 13 And he said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
- (Luke 12:15) And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
Diseases. Diseases have an impact on the economy. They are the result of the Fall or our own Mistakes (e.g., AIDS is due in large part to the rejection of the Biblical instructions that sex is right only between husband and wife). Everyone can experience them in their lifetime. They restrict everyday life and work. Many are even completely excluded from working life because illness and physical limitations prevent them from moving and functioning. It is a matter that affects thousands of people. The Christian faith has or should have an impact in this area. In addition to eternal life being offered to everyone, we have the opportunity for physical health. There is hope for the sick and they can expect healing through the Atonement of Jesus. It doesn't come automatically, but it can be sought and prayed for. This area was an important part of the activities of the early church. They preached the gospel, urging people to change their minds, and prayed for them to be healed, as Jesus had taught. Many secularized Churches have not followed these instructions of Jesus:
- (Matt 10:1,8) And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.
- (Luke 9:1,2,6) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
RIGHT AND WRONG IN POLICY. Acts committed by humans can be classified into two categories. These moral-related options, which also emerge in politics, are:
• Everything people do is right • There are acts that are clearly wrong
Which of the above options is true? Those who do not believe the teachings of the Bible, such as the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, may initially lean toward the first option. However, when asked if they accept torture, the sexual exploitation of children, or theft from themselves, they usually answer in the negative. It shows that they practically believe in the existence of universal and objective values. They may not have thought deeper about it, but consider some acts, such as thefts and murders, clearly wrong. The same things are also defined as wrong and reprehensible in the courts and universally. These people may not believe that morality is from God, but in practice generally agree with the basic principles of the Ten Commandments (You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor…). It means that there is a lot in common in the realm of morality and coexistence on ethical issues is natural. There are only a few exceptions. The only exceptions are a few topics that we will list and study. Opinions are divided in them. Many of these things used to be considered wrong, but now many claim them to be good, by defending them e.g. in the name of compassion.
• Extramarital relationships (You shall not commit adultery!)
• Practicing homosexuality. Many defend this issue in the name of equality and human rights and because they believe it is a congenital matter (although several homosexuals themselves deny it). They do not believe that it is a matter of sin and lust and that it effects on eternity.
• Abortion (You shall not kill) is the third issue on which people disagree (a similar ethical problem is embryonic stem cell research). Those advocating for this have been less likely to have seen photographs or videos of aborted fetuses. From them can be seen the hands, feet, eyes, mouth, and exactly the same body members as adults or newborns have. Only the size is smaller. There is some contradiction in the fact that the same people who speak out for homosexuality also support abortion. Have they forgotten the human rights of children and the right to live? Why do they defend the killing of children? For when it is known that a child in the womb has the same body members as a newborn, conclusions should be drawn from this. Murder is murder, whether it targets to a child outside or inside the womb. This was also stated in a declaration by the World Medical Association in Geneva in 1948 when the unethical behavior of Nazi doctors had exposed. The declaration stated: "I hold human life in the highest esteem since conception, and I do not use my medical skills against the laws of humanity, even if I’m threatened." The politicians of the current generation are thus different from the politicians of the past in these two matters. Their view is quite the opposite. What is the reason?
• Euthanasia (You shall not kill). When comparing modernity with the time before Nazism in Germany, both are characterized by increasing support for euthanasia. This idea was by no means invented by the Nazis, but was first supported in university circles and among the intelligentsia. The Nazis merely brought this matter into force when they came to power. They also used compassion and love as a basis for euthanasia in their propaganda films. The same is being done now when defending euthanasia and abortion. Nowadays, support for euthanasia is strange because it is possible now to alleviate human pain better than ever. The conditions for good hospice care exist if there are enough resources.
Were our grandparents wrong? When we want to change morality today, an accusation is directed at the generation of our grandparents. Were they wrong in considering abortion, homosexuality, or extramarital affairs wrong? Were they worse than those who now defend these things? Hardly. If you compare, for example, old movies with current programs, they were somehow harmless. In them there was less ugly language, violence, or blatant sexuality. They were healthy compared to the current programs. Developments in this sector have not, at least not, improved in moral terms. Another measure is the well-being of children, which has deteriorated significantly during the current generation. Newspapers and the media have referred to it several times (Etelä-Suomen sanomat reported on 31 October 2010: A billion soon for institutional care for children and young people. Children's problems have escalated drastically since the beginning of the 1990s... Institutional care for one child costs up to 100,000 euros per year. ... and 20.11.2013: Child violence becomes more common… The aggression of young children has increased in Finland.). Developments have steadily deteriorated, showing that the morale and lifestyles of the current generation are far from the level our grandparents had. It happenede also like this in Israel centuries ago: children behaved worse than their fathers.
- (Jer 16:12) And you have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, you walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not listen to me
Consequences. What happens when defending extramarital or homosexual relationships in the name of love as often happens in the media and what are some politicians advocating? The direct answer is that it weakens the position of children. It leads to sex experiments between selfish adults and the breakdown of ordinary relationships and families, which means increased costs for society. It may not be the intention of the people or politicians who defend these things in the name of love, but it is a direct consequence. The more these issues are brought up in the media, the more it breaks up families and relationships. Children become victims of adult selfishness, which they call love. Freedom and love are used as a veil of evil. A few quotes show how important it is for children to have both a father and a mother in the family. They thrive best in families where the parents have a lasting relationship like marriage. It is the best situation emotionally for children and the most socially economical way to care for children. Other options are more expensive and worse. It has also been found that criminals most often come from orphanages or single-parent families (usually the father is missing). This is an unfortunate fact, which the statistics prove to be true.
It has been cogently showcased that children do not flourish, despite good physical care if they are being held in impersonal institutions, and that separation from the mother – especially during certain periods – is very damaging to the child. Typical implications of institution care are mental retardation, indifference, regressing and even death, when a sufficient surrogate mother is not available. (19)
When I was speaking at a certain men's camp in Hume Lake in California, I mentioned that the average father spends only three minutes of quality time with his child a day. After the meeting, one man questioned my information. He scolded, "You preachers only say things. According to the latest research, the average father doesn't spend even three minutes daily with his children, but 35 seconds." I believe him because he worked as a school inspector in central California. Actually, he gave me another startling statistic. In a certain school district in California there were 483 students in special education. None of those students had a father at home. In a certain area on the outskirts of Seattle, 61% of children live without a father. The absence of a father is a curse nowadays. (20)
References:
1. Eric Metaxas: Bonhoeffer, pastori, marttyyri, näkijä, vakooja (Bonhoeffer), p. 156 2. Tapio Puolimatka: Viisauden ja tiedon aarteet Kristuksessa, p. 346 3. Guido Knopp: Hitlerin lapset (Hitlers Kinder), p. 211 4. Guido Knopp: Hitlerin lapset (Hitlers Kinder), p. 244 5. Guido Knopp: Hitlerin lapset (Hitlers Kinder), p. 17 6. Guido Knopp: Hitlerin lapset (Hitlers Kinder), p. 17 7. Guido Knopp: Hitlerin lapset (Hitlers Kinder), p. 185 8. H. Kent Geiger: The Family in Soviet Russia. Cambridge, Mass., 1968. 9. Guido Knopp: Hitlerin lapset (Hitlers Kinder), p. 17 10. Lisa Bjurwald: Euroopan häpeä, Rasistien voittokulku (Europas skam: Rasister på frammarsch), p. 34,35 11. Lisa Bjurwald: Euroopan häpeä, Rasistien voittokulku (Europas skam: Rasister på frammarsch), p. 93 12. Emanuel Minos: Ovet suljetaan (Det har ringt for tredje gang), p. 27,33-35 13. David Wilkerson: Näky (The Vision) 14. Edwin Louis Cole: Miehuuden haaste, p. 104 15. Paavo Hiltunen: Ja maa tuli täyteen väkivaltaa, p. 20, 72,73 16. David Wilkerson: Kukkaislapsia löytöretkellä (Purple-violet Squish), p. 9 17. Loren Cunningham / Janice Rogers: Kirja joka muuttaa kansat (The Book that Transforms Nations), p. 144,145 18. Sara McLanahan & Gary Sandefur: Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps, p. 38 19. Margaret Mead: Some Theoretical Considerations on the Problem of Mother-Child Separation, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, vol. 24, 1954, p. 474
Read how the Christian faith has improved human rights and conditions of people
Impact of the Bible on economy. Wrong lifestyles increase society's unnecessary costs by millions of euros, but adherence to biblical principles reduces them
The Ten Commandments under analysis. The Ten Commandments are a good foundation for conduct. By following them, crime and most of the problems will remove from society
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Read how the Christian faith has improved human rights and conditions of people
Impact of the Bible on economy. Wrong lifestyles increase society's unnecessary costs by millions of euros, but adherence to biblical principles reduces them
The Ten Commandments under analysis. The Ten Commandments are a good foundation for conduct. By following them, crime and most of the problems will remove from society
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