Real Revolution — Page 65
$5 the other current interpretations it appears rather forced: and in any case they are interpretations which seem to hang on some further explanations. . BASIS OF CIVILIZATION. Evidently, too, civilization means just this that certain kinds of clash and bloodshed are legalized and sanctified. Murder is culpable, but when the offender is apprehended and executed by the government, the state is not looked upon as having become guilty of murder. Rather, in fact, its action is considered fully sanctified. Similarly for anyone to take forcible possession of another person's house, or land, is reprehensible; but in cases of national requirements when a government takes such possession, it is held fully entitled to do so. . Unlawful detention of anybody, too, is oppression; but when duly constituted authority takes this action it is held to be perfectly justified. . Therefore, when God said that He was about to civilize the world, that He was going to appoint one individual as khaleefa who would enforce a law, under which he would punish those guilty of murder, would sometimes take possession of the property of some people, and interfere with individual liberty, the angels were amazed, because they had never known anything of the kind beforė. . For the people of that early period this point