GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION

    In the Book of Revelation there is a chapter about the harlot that rides the beast. This was said to be about the pagan religions that supported Rome. In a visionary work like this there are other interpretations as well. I find that it is symbol of what happens whenever a religion allies itself with a government. A harlot was not a street walker. Harlots were wealthy, lived in the finest homes and wore the best clothing and jewelry. Kings went to harlots. They achieved this by being fantastically seductive. So we are talking about something that can look like a very good idea to people. The harlot is drunk with the blood of saints, which she has in a cup in her hand. The ten horns of the beast destroy her. To me this is a good picture of what happens when religion and government are joined. The religion ends up supporting evil that the government does. It becomes drunk with power and used like a whore. The government destroys its spirit. Is there a better way for spiritual people to to approach government? The example of Martin Luther King is a good one. His movement peacefully marched for a cause without enmeshing itself in government. Or perhaps the spiritual people should gather in the world’s capitols by the thousands and sit in contemplative prayer. Maybe the world can be brought closer to God’s silence.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK: ~THE APOCALYPSE WITHIN: THE INNER MEANING OF THE REVELATION~ By Vincent Justino Ditizio. Available on amazon.com