The Definition Of Democracy

Main Entry: de·moc·ra·cy
Pronunciation: di-'mä-kr&-sE
Etymology: Middle French democratie, from Late Latin democratia, from Greek dEmokratia, from dEmos + -kratia -cracy1
a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority
b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections
2 : a political unit that has a democratic government
3 capitalized : the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the U.S.
4 : the common people especially when constituting the source of political authority
5 : the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges


Lately the Bush administration has been obsessed with one word, Democracy. Bush believes the cure to terrorism is democracy. He believes the cure for the Iraqi people is democracy. It's almost as if the Bush administration has a copyright on the word. All this talk about democracy got me curious to look up the acutal definition of democracy as defined by the Webster dictionary. Many in America believe that this nation is the greatest democracy ever to exist. But a closer look at the definition of democracy raises many doubts to whether we are even living in a democracy in 21 century America. More Importantly, should a Christian want to live in a democracy?

First, are we living in a democracy in 21st century America? Definition #5 is the most convicting of the definitions of democracy. It says democracy is, "the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges". In a time of obscene and sinful wealth, can anyone honestly say that we live in a democracy that is free of hereditary distinction or class privilege? If you come from a family with the last name Kennedy, Rockefeller or Bush, then you will automatically be born with a head start. The only reason we know of George W. Bush is because he was born into the wealth of Texas oil and not in the South Bronx. Can anyone deny the unfair role of privilege in 21st century America? Maybe Webster's Definition #1 needs to be clarified when it says, "government by the people." A definition for 21st century American democracy should read, "government by the (rich) people."

Second, so if we are not living in a democracy, then what are we living in? A better term to describe 21 century American government is the word called Plutocracy. Webster's defines Plutocracy as...

Main Entry: plu·toc·ra·cy
Pronunciation: plü-'tä-kr&-sE
Function: nounInflected
Form(s): plural -cies
Etymology: Greek ploutokratia, from ploutos wealth; akin to Greek plein to sail, float -- more at FLOW
1 : government by the wealthy
2 : a controlling class of the wealthy- plu·to·crat /'plü-t&-"krat/ noun- plu·to·crat·ic /"plü-t&-'kra-tik/ adjective- plu·to·crat·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Plutocracy fits nicely with Bush's tax cut for the upper crust, but cut education programs out of his budget. I would like to believe every vote is of equal value, but in a time of million dollar special interest groups the idea that every vote counts is fantasy. If a energy corporation donates millions to your campaign and i have no money to donate, who are you going to listen to more? Some will say that in life you have to play the cards you are dealt. In American plutocracy, however, it is hard to succeed when the deck is sacked against you.

Third, should a Christian even want to live in a democracy? Another common definition for democracy is, "a government ruled by the will of the people." Does a Christian want to live a life dictated by the will of the people? Shouldn't a Christian's life be dictated by the will of God? Let the pagans and ungodly live by the will of the people. We as disciples of Christ, however, are called to live according to the will of God. The will of the people and the will of God are so polar opposite from each other. Christianity is the furthest thing from a democracy. Though we make the choice to follow him, we lose our will once we decide to put on Christ as Lord. He or she is no longer free to live as he or she chooses. A Christian dies to themselves and surrenders their will to God. The Christian was bought at a price and it was paid by the blood of Christ.

So this coming week all I ask is that you reconcile 21st century American plutocracy and the definition of democracy. The definition of democracy claims, "the supreme power is vested in the people." As disciples of Christ we must not vest our power in the people. We must vest our supreme power in the supreme God. We are simple and finite creatures who are but a mist in the span of time. Let us finally give all power and authority to the infinite and supreme God who transcends time and space. Where does the power for the Christian reside? It does not reside in the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill or in the White House. The power for the Christian resides in weakness. It resides in Christ crucified.


CJE

Coming Next Week: Once and For All

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I Apologize

“I Apologize”, probably the hardest two words in the English language to say together. How many friendships and marriages end because someone refuses to say these two words? Why is it so hard? Is it our false sense that we can achieve perfection? Is it our prideful ego? Maybe we believe our sin is not as grievous as those who live as pagans. It becomes ever more difficult when you realize that in order to apologize; you must also be able to forgive.

First, when is an apology most effective? An apology is most effective when it is offered by the one who committed the error or wrong. In recent times universities in the South have issued apologies for its practice of segregation. Many times the government has apologized for its practice of slavery. These apologies are all well and good, but with the passing of time they have lost their ability to heal. They would have been so much more powerful if the apologies would have come straight from the slave owners or university presidents at the time. My desire to apologize for someone else’s actions is well intentioned, but in the end there is little value. The most valuable apology I can offer is to those I have wronged or offended.

Second, when is an apology called for? So many times we feel no need to apologize because either we believe it’s not our fault or believe we did nothing wrong. Children have the hardest time apologizing because they are still learning how to behave and most times are unaware that their wrong actions have caused harm or hurt. But for those of us who are grown adults, we are fully aware of when our actions cause harm or hurt. We need to apologize when we put our pride before our family and friends. We need to apologize when neglect those strangers at church or work for the sake of our comfort zone. We need to apologize when we try to be funny at somebody else’s expense. We need to apologize when we so easily gossip about those we supposedly call our “friend”. As you can see there is always a time to apologize. Waiting for an apology is like waiting for rain in the desert. Let us always be the first to apologize.

Third, is forgiveness essential? Absolutely. The whole point of apologizing is the hope that we can be forgiven and reconciliation can take place. If we don’t forgive others, how can we expect to be forgiven? We must always remember the warning of the gospel in that the measure you use will be measured back to you. The spirit of an apology is nothing without the spirit of forgiveness. If we are the first to apologize, then let us also be the first to forgive. It is much easier to apologize and forgive when you realize what you have been saved from when Christ offered an apology to God on your behalf.

So this week I encourage you to put your pride aside so that you may be able to be the first to apologize and the first to forgive. Ask yourself; is there any friendship or marriage worth losing so that your ego can stay intact? The answer may seem like an obvious NO, but a 50% divorce rate tells me many people are answering YES. At times I too have answered YES and for that I apologize.

CJE

Coming Next Week: The Definition of Democracy

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