Civic Notes - Feb. 19, 2010

Tuesday, 13 April 2010

• Civics' Class Notes from Feb. 19, 2010

  
  

  February 19^th Class Notes

  This class Dave had to work, so I taught the Civics’ class. We talked about the role of the state and watched one of the "Truth Project" tours. Can a state ever be guilty of stealing? The law of the state cannot be regarded as absolute – we must constantly re-evaluate it to the eternal truth and change it if it does not measure up to the higher ethical standard. The state cannot usurp the authority over the other social spheres, which are family, church, labor, God and man – in terms of their own specific purposes. We came to the obvious conclusion that the state IS overstepping their authority today! We had some good discussion. If you ever have a chance to go through "The Truth Project", please do. It is excellent!

  March 5^th class notes

  Dave is really busy with masonry jobs, which leaves me the full time Civics’ teacher for the rest of the year. This class we focused on The Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. I must admit, I am learning right along with the students, for when I was in school I really didn’t care about this stuff. Now, I wish I’d paid more attention. This is important and interesting information!
  We reviewed notes from all our classes, went over some of the inventions and discoveries from the founding of this nation to the present day. I asked the questions, "Why are our lives different than the majority of the people over the earth? Why don’t we go hungry?" The answer is primarily because of 2 documents and both of these documents are rooted in God’s law. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
  We discussed why the Declaration was written. To declare our independence from England.
  Then we went to the Constitution. One of the students, Aaron, gave a very good report on this document.
  Our gov’t has 3 branches, a balance of powers, and it was formed by the founding fathers.
  Legislative Branch
  

  • Congress – made up of 2 bodies or groups
  • House of Representatives,
  • Senate

  Executive Branch
  

  • President

  Judicial Branch
  

  • judges
  • court system

  The founding fathers based our government this way, because of scripture.
  -The Lord is our
  

  • King (executive branch)
  • Judge (judicial branch)
  • Law giver (legislative branch)

  The Constitution was immediately amended, for all the states had to ratify it. Yes, the states created the federal gov’t, not vica versa. Some of the states wanted things changed in the Constitution before they would ratify it. Those changes, or amendments, are called the Bill of Rights.
  Each student had 1 of the first 10 amendments to give a brief explanation on what it meant. We had some very interesting conversations about some of them.
  We then had an in-depth discussion on the Declaration. In the opening lines, Jefferson is saying that we are going to be a separate nation and out of respect for England, we will explain why.
  In one of our classes we discussed what it meant to be an American. We will find the answer in the rest of the Declaration…. All words in ( ) are my explanations.
  "We hold these truths (things) to be self-evident (don’t need to be explained), that all men are created equal (this is a biggy! What does equal mean? That we all look alike, act alike, and have the same interests? No! It means that we are equal in the sight of God, in the sight of law, and in the protection of our rights. Age, gender or political status does not effect this! This was not always true down through history), that they are endowed (given) by their Creator (God) with certain unalienable (can’t be taken away) rights, (It is VERY important to believe that our rights come from God, or our Creator, because gov’t can assume it has the responsibility to grant rights to the people and if they can grant rights they also can take them away. Is healthcare a right? Education? NO! God doesn’t give these things at birth, but you have the opportunity to get them) that among these are Life, (where does abortion fit in here?) Liberty (my free actions have limits according to the freedom of others. I can’t steal at the store, even though I have liberty), and the pursuit of Happiness (what makes you happy? You have the right to chose friends, career, whether you want to be married, how many children you want to have, etc.). That to secure (protect) these right, Governments are instituted among men, deriving (getting) their just powers from the consent of the governed (people – not Kings), - That whenever any form of Gov’t becomes destructive of these ends (not protecting or taking away), it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and Happiness." WOW! What do you think?
  We need to beware of Social Justice, which has infected our gov’t today. It is the belief that citizens are guaranteed equal outcomes and economic equality and it is the duty of gov’t to insure that happens. This is contrary to our founding documents and contrary to the Word of God, who directs the paths of men.
  We concluded class with some scenarios and question/answer time.
  We had a really fun and informative class!
  

  March 19th Class

  We watched a DVD with three 20 min. segments of the different branches of gov't.  I think that brings us up to date with the Civics' Class notes.

  Until next time.......