The Founding Fathers talked a lot about natural law. Natural Law could actually be the subject of a future blog or even a series of books. Nevertheless, the Founders believed we had certain rights given to us by natural law. If one believes in the idea of natural law and natural rights, then you may be interested in what some have suggested are natural responsibilities. I would like to go over a few and get your thoughts on if they are valid, and why or why not.
It is suggested the first duty is to honor the supremacy of the Creator and his
laws.
Some are easy and we will breeze through them. The duty not to kill, not to steal, duty to follow the law, not to trespass on private property and the duty to support public/private standards of decency and the duty to care for the sick, crippled, injured and poverty–stricken.
Others are more interesting given our current time in history. I will list some of these. If you would like a complete list, I am taking these directly from a book called The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen, pages 134-135.
- The duty of children to honor & obey their parents and elders.
- The duty to support law and order and keep the peace.
- The duty to honorably perform contracts and covenants both with God & Man.
- The duty to be temperate.
- The duty to become economically self-sufficient.
- The duty to maintain the integrity of the family structure.
- The duty to perpetuate the race.
- The duty not to promote or participate in the vices, which destroy personal and community life.
- The duty to perform civic responsibilities—vote, assist public officials, serve in official capacities when called upon, stay informed on public issues, and volunteer where needed.
- The duty to support personal and public standards of common decency.
- The duty to follow rules of moral rectitude.
In an earlier blog talking about the Constitution, a commenter mentioned it was an old document written a long time ago. I believe it was also mentioned that the Founders were not aware of the things which would evolve a few hundred years later.
My question: Are these responsibilities also out of date? Are there some responsibilities we should not be expected to follow in these times in which we live? Rule 10 above talks about standards. Who sets the standards and what are the rules for changing the standards?
I see room for some lively discussion here, what do you think?
