Author: Curtis L. Harris

 ISBN: 0595268412

Genre Religion/politics

The following review was contributed by:  Paul Lappen & CLICK TO VIEW Paul Lappen's Reviews

Entrenched power is when people in authority, in
business, government or religion, serve themselves
instead of those they are supposed to represent.

In the beginning, God created the Universe and Natural
Law. The author is not talking about any particular
conception of God, but means "God" as a more general
term. People discovered many of these Laws (Known Law)
through spiritual reflection and scientific
experimentation. Among the major Natural Laws are
basic morality, individual freedom, change and the
progress and consequences that result from that
change. As time went on, leadership and social
organization came about. Religions developed to help
explain man's place in the overall scheme of things.

The major religions were established using the same
general concepts of morality, like right and wrong,
good and evil, etc. The author advocates the creation
of a society based on these spiritual concepts, which
are common to everyone, instead of basing it on any
particular God.

How can entrenched power happen in present-day
religion? They are part of the social fabric that
organizes people into effective societies. On the
local level, they teach moral and ethical values. They
support the development of good character in children.
They provide understanding and comfort in times of
loss. As one goes up the hierarchy (a feature of most
organized religions), leaders are more interested in
the organization and holding on to power than in
serving the faithful. An example of entrenched power
is the Catholic Church molestation scandals. It would
have been painful to deal with the problem years ago,
but sweeping it under the rug, as the Catholic
hierarchy did, has made the problem many times worse.

On the subject of entrenched power in politics, need
we say more than "term limits?" A major flaw in the
system as designed by the Founding Fathers was not
setting a limit on terms in Congress. The author
advocates a system where average citizens can actually
run for Congress (currently impossible), serve two
terms, then make way for someone else. It would go a
long way toward helping America to lead the world
toward the fulfillment of "God's" destiny for Man.

This is quite a book. It's a really interesting read
for people of any political or religious viewpoint.
The reader may not agree with all of it, but it is
still well worth reading.