Jefferson Review

"Your Liberty is Our Interest"

Home /  Archives / Search / Links / Quotes / Book Reviews / Advertise /Contact us / Subscribe / Calendar

Divine right or age of reason

(the recent shooting incident in Louisville)

George Baumler

  The recent incident in which Louisville policemen shot a handcuffed man illustrates why it is important to question the origin of government authority.  Some religious people argue that the power of government descends directly from almighty God.  This theory of government is also known as the divine right of kings.  The divine right of kings was the way of the world until the Age of Enlightenment and still holds a powerful influence even today.  The notion that the infinite power and wisdom of God are somehow delegated to kings or government officials is as ridiculous as it sounds.  The divine right of kings or elected governments to rule over us can easily lead to the conclusion that the king/government can do no wrong, a notion easily dispelled by history.

  In a free society, the power of government is supposed to flow from the people to the government, not vice versa.  The rights of the people do not flow from the constitution; they are merely guaranteed by that document; nor do rights flow from the government, since the government obtains its authority from the citizens.  Logically, the power of government and its police forces are limited to the powers legitimately possessed by individual citizens.  In other words, if it is unlawful for an ordinary citizen to shoot a handcuffed man brandishing a knife, then it would follow that it would also be unlawful for any representative of citizen-empowered authority to do so.  If it would be unlawful for a private citizen to storm a compound of religious fanatics, it would be equally unlawful for any citizen-empowered arm of the government as well.  Individuals institute governments, armies and police forces in order to protect themselves, giving those agents powers that were originally held by the individuals.  Therefore, these organizations cannot possess rights superior to those of the individuals that created them.  Exceeding individual rights is a step backward toward the “divine right of kings” theory of government, or in other words, a step toward tyranny.   

Weather (Louisville) / Mapquest / Search / White Pages / Business Search / CNN / Dictionary / E-card / MSN