Section 134

So, yesterday’s Sunday School lesson was on ‘Being Good Citizens‘ and we discussed Section 134 a lot. I had some questions that I thought were interesting:

1. Informing

Verse 8 says that “all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.”

Does that mean that we have a religious duty to inform the police when we become aware of people breaking the law?

2. Gun Control

Verse 11 says that “all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.”

Does that mean that we should be allowed to have guns? If not, then what kind of ‘defending’ are we talking about — Kung fu? Bread knives?

3. Sedition and Rebellion

This one wasn’t noticed by myself, but a friend of mine — Finnish Dancer.

Verse 5 says “men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected.”

Does that mean that sedition and rebellion aren’t unbecoming in countries where civil rights are not protected?

Politics and religion — always a fun mix…