Let's start with the premise that the Bible contains instruction from God how people should behave in a Godly society. Secular laws contain instruction about how people should behave in modern society. Many Christians believe that laws should reflect, to an extent, Biblical teaching because a) such teaching is better for society and b) it allows them to practice and share their faith without persecution. On the other hand, secular society, and some Christians, believe that the law should reflect the current morals of society, and that a religious group shouldn't impose their beliefs on others.
The dynamic of these counter opinions has led to an ongoing struggle between the two camps, and a situation where many Christians are made to feel they are being unreasonable, and are even attacked, for suggesting certain aspects of our faith should be reflected in legislation. In some countries, in Europe in particular, governments are even creating legislation that could make some aspects of living a Christian life, Biblical parenting for example, open to prosecution.
So let's run this thought experiment (a thought experiment for now at least):
Let's say we have a zone, a bare plot of land where no one currently lives. The intention would be to develop this empty land so it will have houses and businesses etc., but even before that happens it will have political autonomy: the developers/managers could make their own rules before they even start.
So these zone developers could make rules and laws that reflect Bible teachings. There could be no argument that such rules would be imposed on the unwilling, there is no existing population, and new arrivals know exactly what they are getting into from the start: they would be 'voting with their feet' to show they are at least tolerant of such rules.
So there would be a mandate for everything that is too much, or would cause outrage, in modern societies. So all the great controversial things could be enshrined in law: marriage would be between a man and women, school prayer could not be simply be allowed, it could be mandatory.
We could go further: public officials, judges, police and school principals would have to demonstrate a Christian faith, Christian organisations incentivized to come, ISP's obliged to filter pornography etc. New residents would be asked to sign a declaration that they understand that are coming to a Christian zone, with all that entails (as they would do when enrolling a child in a Christian private school). And if people don't want any of that, well they don't have to come and live there.
The purpose of this relatively small zone would be to demonstrate that Biblical instruction works for society, and if anyone objects to that, well we say to them that we will grow and prosper if it is right, or fold and fail if it is not.
It could also be a place where World-weary or persecuted Christians could come and stay for a season, to re-charge before returning to their home countries.
Now, the questions to you are, if this were possible, would it be right to create such a zone? Would you support it? Would you move there? Would you help create it?
The dynamic of these counter opinions has led to an ongoing struggle between the two camps, and a situation where many Christians are made to feel they are being unreasonable, and are even attacked, for suggesting certain aspects of our faith should be reflected in legislation. In some countries, in Europe in particular, governments are even creating legislation that could make some aspects of living a Christian life, Biblical parenting for example, open to prosecution.
So let's run this thought experiment (a thought experiment for now at least):
Let's say we have a zone, a bare plot of land where no one currently lives. The intention would be to develop this empty land so it will have houses and businesses etc., but even before that happens it will have political autonomy: the developers/managers could make their own rules before they even start.
So these zone developers could make rules and laws that reflect Bible teachings. There could be no argument that such rules would be imposed on the unwilling, there is no existing population, and new arrivals know exactly what they are getting into from the start: they would be 'voting with their feet' to show they are at least tolerant of such rules.
So there would be a mandate for everything that is too much, or would cause outrage, in modern societies. So all the great controversial things could be enshrined in law: marriage would be between a man and women, school prayer could not be simply be allowed, it could be mandatory.
We could go further: public officials, judges, police and school principals would have to demonstrate a Christian faith, Christian organisations incentivized to come, ISP's obliged to filter pornography etc. New residents would be asked to sign a declaration that they understand that are coming to a Christian zone, with all that entails (as they would do when enrolling a child in a Christian private school). And if people don't want any of that, well they don't have to come and live there.
The purpose of this relatively small zone would be to demonstrate that Biblical instruction works for society, and if anyone objects to that, well we say to them that we will grow and prosper if it is right, or fold and fail if it is not.
It could also be a place where World-weary or persecuted Christians could come and stay for a season, to re-charge before returning to their home countries.
Now, the questions to you are, if this were possible, would it be right to create such a zone? Would you support it? Would you move there? Would you help create it?
