http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/following the way of Jesus in the land of our captivityenSat, 06 Sep 2008 09:49:00 -0000http://www.jesusmanifesto.com/2008/09/03/democracy-matters-discourse-practice-reality/#comment-2182630This is why I think it's important we not use the word democracy, as it describes not so much a process by which people govern themselves, but rather a type of state arrangement and exercise of state power (particularly the industrial capitalist/welfare state), based in the fictitious (and unrealizable notion) that someone "sovereignty" resides with "the people." When we mean self-government, we should use the phrase "self-government," and not democracy. People have always governed themselves, sometimes better than others, in times and places we would consider "undemocratic." I will not argue that we have or will ever have "true democracy" (whatever that means, I'm not sure its desirable), we have always governed ourselves.<br><br>My problem with thinkers like West are his equation of the welfare state and of popular sovereignty with, if not the Kingdom of God, then a form of government that God prefers for human beings above other forms of government, a form of government worth struggling for as part of God's struggle in redeeming and reconciling humanity. (This is the problem with George Bush an the America-worshiping right as well.) That God's prophetic promises for God's people can, should and must be reflected in the policies and actions of nation-states and governments. Indeed, I do not believe God speaks to nations or governments, but rather only to God's called out people (we make the mistake of thinking speaking to God's people is the same as speaking to Americans). <br><br>Finally, I have to argue with the statement that "we are building" the Kingdom of God. This is nonsense. Better is Holsclaw's statement that we are "being built into" the Kingdom. Jesus is always the actor, and we are always acted upon. When we saw ourselves as architects, authors and builders, then we privilege ourselves and the outcome we desire, our intentions and our actions above those of others, and it is my contention that attitude ALWAYS leads to coercion, compulsion and violence (usually state violence). Not our will, but God's. Not our outcome, but God's.C.H.FeatherstoneSat, 06 Sep 2008 09:49:00 -0000http://www.jesusmanifesto.com/2008/09/03/democracy-matters-discourse-practice-reality/#comment-2145122gyakusetsu, <br><br>When viewed as a <b>form</b> of government, democracy becomes an institutional tyranny; but when viewed as the <b>action</b> of a people (often against/in spite of the government) then it may not be.geoffhFri, 05 Sep 2008 12:08:31 -0000http://www.jesusmanifesto.com/2008/09/03/democracy-matters-discourse-practice-reality/#comment-2134275Democracy is simply the tyranny of the majority. It should not be venerated any more than other tyrannies.gyakusetsuThu, 04 Sep 2008 20:18:43 -0000http://www.jesusmanifesto.com/2008/09/03/democracy-matters-discourse-practice-reality/#comment-2111619Love this post. Very succinct and cogent.reibwoThu, 04 Sep 2008 14:49:36 -0000