03-07-2008, 11:17 AM
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| Puritanboard Doctor | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saintfield, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Puritan Sailor  Quote:
Originally Posted by JBaldwin Quote:
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.) | Thank you. This is a much a more constructive approach to the discussion.
Perhaps the magistrate should also use their influence to invite foreign humanitarian aid too. Or invite the Church from foreign lands to come and help. | The last point about petitioning the church in foreign lands to help would certainly be valid. But this is not the same thing as compulsion. 
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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)
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