"That to secure these rights [a.k.a. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, 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."
Firstly, how eloquently our founding fathers wrote! What words of wisdom for founding a country! But more importantly, I was struck by the spirit of service that's imbibed in these words. Governments should serve the people and uphold the rights of the people. If only all of those who govern this country were to work through a spirit of service grounded in these noble principles. And if only all of us were to hold our governments to upholding these principles!
This quote reminded me of a saying in the Baha'i writings, which is that if religion becomes the source of antagonism and strife, the absence of religion is to be preferred. The sayings are not exactly the same, but I think they both wisely point to the purpose of each and that government and religion are both meant for a higher purpose, and that they should not merely perpetuate their own self interest.
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