[Thenamir]

Kalessin:

Re: punching a rich man versus a beggar -- the rich man and the beggar, though very different in social stature, are on equal footing before the law. In an ideal society, a rich man has no authority over the poor man, and no right to force or coerce obedience from him -- they are equals in the eyes of the law, and that is certainly how it should be, and how Tolkien's world was written.

The difference is not one of social standing, but of lawful authority. Thus, the crime committed is not against the person, (else the punishments would be equal) but against the authority represented by that person. That authority is usually granted by a greater authority to a lesser one. In the case of a policeman, it is the authority granted by all the people of the locality which that policeman represents. Thus, punching a peer is a crime committed against one person, while punching a policeman is a crime committed against all the law-abiding persons of that city who have placed their combined will in the office of that policeman to protect them from criminals.

It follows, therefore, that punching a policeman is actually two crimes, first of harming the man, and second, of rebelling against the authority represented by the fact that that person is in uniform. Ergo, punching a policeman is a more serious act than punching a peer.

It follows, therefore, that if the authority being resisted or rejected is greater, then the seriousness and consequences increase in proportion to the level of authority of the entity being resisted or rejected. In the case of the President, it is the authority granted by all the people of the United States via the vehicle of the U.S. Constitution. In the case of resisting or rebelling against Eru (or God), it is the authority of the creator, owner and sustainer of the entire universe, the benvolent almighty being who represents the greatest good for every created thing. Now *that's* Authority!

Trying to overthrow the school board might be local news, and might not even be a crime. Trying to overthrow the government of the United States (whether you think it's a good idea or not) is a much more serious crime. Trying to overthrow the Almighty Creator Eru so that you can take his place...that's a crime of infinite magnitude.

And if you think about it, every time anyone rejects the law of God and does something contrary to His principles, isn't that an attempt to overthrow the rightful authority of Eru/God over that life?

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: Thenamir ]