Edward Gibbon wrote:
“In the end, more than freedom, they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life, and they lost it all – security, comfort, and freedom. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free and was never free again.”
Unlike a subject a citizen has freedoms and privileges. A citizen can own land and move about freely. A citizen can vote. There are several different types of citizens. The focus here will be on passive and active citizens.
A passive citizen is the citizen described by Gibbon above. A passive citizen looks for and expects the government to solve all problems. A passive citizen might vote but they probably don’t. Citizenship holds no particular value unless it is to receive a personal benefit at little to no cost.
An active citizen looks forward to voting and believes it is important to be informed. An active citizen believes that there are obligations that accompany citizenship. Active citizens are necessary to a thriving society. Active citizens allow the passive citizens to enjoy the benefits of citizenship without bearing any responsibility. When thinking of citizenship strive to be an active citizen.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
The Mount of Forty Springs, Zagros Mountains, Iran Saturday 11:30 PM
By the dim light of torches seven hooded figures made their ascent up the nearly invisible path. Thirty minutes had passed since they began hiking off the established trail. A person who had never traveled this path would not have been able to find it.
These men were not making their first journey. Each had traveled this path as part of a group and individually. Even without the torches each man would find the destination without difficulty. Some things could never be forgotten.
In silence they made their final steps. Amidst the juniper and oak trees stood a single cedar tree. They had arrived at their destination. Concealed amidst the undergrowth was a small cave. Sliding a large bolder away from the back of the cave revealed a secret stairwell.
The men could not be completely at ease yet, but the most physically demanding portion of their journey was over. From this point things would be more psychologically challenging and each man would handle those struggles...
