SHOULD A PRIEST GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS? In many occasions people have made efforts to justify their political activities and have associated politics with human nature by quoting 4 B.C Aristotle who said “Man is a political animal”. However, this is not a complete quotation. The full quote states, “Hence it is evident that the state is a creation of nature, and that man is by nature a political animal. And he who by nature and not by mere accident is without a state, is either above humanity or below it; he is the ‘Tribeless, lawless, heartless one,’ whom Homera denounces – the outcast who is a lover of war; he may be compared to a bird which flies alone” This philosophical quotation was simplified in The Portable Library of Liberty: “Aristotle’s statement that man is a “political animal” can be taken in a number of ways. One reading is to say that man is naturally sociable (the Pufendorf-Grotius line) and that they are naturally drawn to various political associations in order to satisfy their social needs. Another reading, which sees the word “political” in a less charitable light, might state that, since politics is based upon violence and threats of violence, the phrase emphasizes the “animal” side of human nature rather than its rational and cooperative side. Those who turn their back on the violence inherent in politics, in Aristotle’s view, also turn their back on society - they declare themselves to be outlaws, without a “tribe”, and without a heart.” In order to answer this question correctly, there is need to ask the questions, WHAT IS POLITIC? And WHO IS A PRIEST? “But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.” (Hosea 4:4) Be Blessed Shalom TO BE CONTINUED.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 07:23:15 +0000
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