| Origins of Nationhood and Government | | | | Many forms of government have existed and continue |
| All life emanates from the single source (God, Spirit...). | | | | to exist, ranging from the jungle-like dictatorship where |
| On taking physical form we become distant from that | | | | the strongest holds dominion over all else, through to |
| unity and adopt a distinct individuality. The purpose of | | | | democracy in which everyone has a say on who |
| physical incarnation is to experience that disconnection | | | | leads, can lobby the leadership, and even run for the |
| from source and those things that can only be | | | | job themselves. Though democracy appears, and |
| experienced through interaction with other incarnate | | | | probably is, the most agreeable form of government, |
| entities. As such the knowledge of our origin is hidden. | | | | consider that most democratic governments enjoy |
| In the beginning, incarnate entities existed independently. | | | | (sometimes substantially) less than 50% of the possible |
| However, the mechanics of evolution demonstrated | | | | votes, and are not the choice of the majority. |
| the benefits of co-operation. Working together each | | | | Furthermore, even their supporters probably don't |
| member achieves more than it could in isolation. Thus | | | | support every single policy and detail. |
| groups, tribes, nations, societies... were formed. To be | | | | Politics and Spirituality |
| effective each group needs rules, and a means of | | | | Politics is the process of proposing governmental |
| enforcing those rules (laws). Hence the need for | | | | policies and arguing the merits of those policies over |
| leadership (government). At essence laws encourage | | | | others. That wild differences of political opinion have |
| selflessness by curtailing selfish behavior. | | | | always existed and continue to do so proves only that |
| Governments have enabled enormous human | | | | there is no single best way. Indeed there is not even |
| progress on the material plane by providing the | | | | common agreement as to the role of government, |
| infrastructures that promote enterprise and creativity, | | | | never mind how it should be achieved. |
| eg who would bother to make an effort if his neighbor | | | | Elections are a barometer of the current state of |
| could simply come along and snatch the fruits of his | | | | society's Spiritual progress. If one happens to live in a |
| labor? Government-provided health, education and | | | | democracy should one participate, and if so, how? |
| welfare services underline the sanctity of life, a very | | | | While on earth our Spiritual duty is to engage with |
| Spiritual ideal. Without the benefits of formal | | | | earthly affairs (else we wouldn't be here). As election |
| government humanity probably couldn't have reached | | | | time approaches we ought to familiarize ourselves |
| its current heights. | | | | with the available options. You might find one choice |
| But there is a negative side to government. Most | | | | better for you personally, while another favors society |
| notably the wars perpetrated in "national" interest. Such | | | | as a whole. If so, it becomes a question of degree, eg |
| behavior indicates Spiritual immaturity. Unfortunately the | | | | can you sacrifice a little extra tax in return for vastly |
| technological progress that created a whole a host of | | | | improved public health services? Remember, |
| weapons of mass destruction outstrips our Spiritual | | | | abstention is also a valid option, though ideally it should |
| growth, hence the tragic devastation caused by | | | | come from a considered decision rather than apathy. |
| warfare. More subtly, all governments curtail individual | | | | In the final reckoning, be guided by your inner instinct. |
| liberty and freedom of expression to some degree. | | | | |