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Originally Posted by Puritan Sailor  Again, to clarify for the knee-jerk conservatives, I'm talking about the magistrates role to help truly afflicted people, not lazy people. And I'm not talking about cradle to grave socialism either. Just asking what is the magistrate to do to better the life-threatening conditions of his citizens?
In a crisis situation, like Hurricane Katrina for example, or a famine, or pestilence, what would the magistrates role be? How is he to care for his citizens and provide for their welfare, based upon biblical principles?
And to clarify the principles even further, what is he to do if there is no Church in his land to help? Or at least not one sizable enough to help significantly? |
I believe for one thing that local magistrates are responsible to know the risks of natural disaster in their jurisdictions. For instance, the city of New Orleans knows there is a possibility of flooding. Some areas of the country risk snow and ice that will take cities down for long periods of time, etc. Most local magistrates do a good job preparing for these things. That's why cities have snow removal equipment. In our area, the electric co-op works tirelessly during the warm months of the year to keep the power lines clear so we don't loose power in the winter.
If [i]all[i] has been done to avert disaster, and I don't think that necessarily tax payer dollars should pay for all of this. It would be best to solicit local volunteers to help do this work of preparation. I still remember the days when volunteers did a lot of work to prepare for disasters with the help of local magistrates. (It kept our taxes down and made people good about their communities.)
When all has been done to prepare, and a disaster strikes, and folks need help, rather than funding huge amounts of money into relief effort, the magistrates, should be organizing local volunteers to help.
Frankly, in the western world, we have become lazy about looking after our needs. We have ceased to "go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise." Ants spend time preparing and working hard to avert starvation in the winter. Magistrates should find ways to avert potential disasters, not running to the rescue because people haven't prepared. When disasters do happen, magistrates should work to mobilize the citizens to pitch in and help. (Frankly, I'm tired of seeing magistrates paying agencies to come in and do things when a lot of work could be done by those who've survived the disaster.)
As far as churches go, what we've seen with the relief that happened after Hurricane Katrina, I think that is a good example of what should happen. We have one church who is still sending helpers down to rebuild.