August 31, 2004

Privileged Obligation?

Since we have lived in this county, R has been called to jury duty twice. Both times he was released due to a settlement. Guess who now has been called? That's right, in two days times, unless there is an agreement between the parties, I will be presenting myself before the prosecuting and defending attorneys as part of a jury pool at the county courthouse.

When my girls asked me why I had to do this (or face fines and jail time), I explained to them my privilege and duty as a citizen in this great country. They questioned the relationship between privilege and obligation. I had to take a moment to think. We go into American history next year, although through our reading and their personal perusal, they are familiar with the context of the Revolutionary War. I told them of King George III, of taxation without representation, of false accusations supported and people executed or punished simply by word of another without evidence.

Typically it isn't hard for me to come up with comparative explanations, but I am struggling to do so with this one. Any ideas?

Posted by Rae at August 31, 2004 10:02 AM
Comments

I'm not scholarly enough to be of much assistance, I'm afraid -- however, I saw bits and pieces of a show on The History Channel around the 4th of July that explained that the whole "Taxation Without Representation" was pretty much bunk.

I told my boys that a "Government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people" sometimes means that you have to do things like jury duty to make sure it still IS "OF the people."

Sorry, I'm not much help. But I'm a hella good researcher. If you'd like, I can see what I might be able to dig up!

Posted by: Emma at August 31, 2004 10:27 AM

While the example is not precisely flawless, I think a good idea (and a good lesson, too) would be to explain an activity that is both a duty and a privilege by comparing it to our commitment as Christians to financially support our church (be it by offerings, tithes, whatever).

We, as God's people, are called to support our churches, as Paul states so well in his letters (especially 2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians). It is clearly our duty as a Christians, since it is the will of God that we might do so. But then, how could a church, which is the Body of He who owns everything including the wealth of the world, need our support? That is, because God granted us this duty not as a burden, but as a privilege. Is by way of this privilege, that our humblest monies will never become a pittance in God's kingdom, and that's why the offering is, or should be, part of the Christian worship.

Posted by: Eduardo at August 31, 2004 12:26 PM

When my girls asked me why I had to do this (or face fines and jail time), I explained to them my privilege and duty as a citizen in this great country. They questioned the relationship between privilege and obligation.

Posted by: LarryConley at August 31, 2004 04:59 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?