Freedom and Democracy:

Law and OrderCivil authorities are a deterrent to

evil, not good

1 Peter 2:13-14

Relationship between freedom and democracy

in a democracy people have freedom of speech, worship, association, belief

if these freedoms are not preserved, democracy will fall into the hands of the undemocratic (page 104 Ideologies)

freedoms can not be preserved by destroying them

Need for order despite the need for freedom in a

democracy there is a need for restraint we are restricted by our social morals

and beliefs, government rules regulations

freedom to do what one wants does not mean one has the freedom to interfere with others

Obligation to obey the law violence in a democracy is not justified -

alternative solution is to solve problems through democratic means

citizens must obey laws because there is no guarantee that they will only disobey unjust laws - leads to anarchy

Right to disobey the law disobedience as a norm not condoned,

but justifiable sometimes when the law is wrong

Police Powers In A Democracy problem of striking a balance between

allowing individuals to have their freedom and giving the police the power to exercise state control

freedom - police have no right to break laws in order to catch criminals except in the case of the FLQ Crisis in 1976 (War Measures Act – martial law)

no one, including the police, is above the law

state control - crooks are getting off scott-free on technicalities

how can the police capture dirty rotten crooks unless they adopt dirty rotten tactics

Decision by lot has scriptural precedent

and, done in recognition of God’s

sovereignty, can indicate God’s will