Question: Pastor Brooks, what do you think about the FBI’s request to obtain Apple’s keys to access the phones of suspected terrorists? Genesis 9 says . . .
Answer:
You are correct about Genesis 9 being the foundation of government.
But, all government, including Biblical ones, are ones of limited and enumerated powers. There is nothing more scary than an all-powerful, unlimited police force. Pol Pot and Stalin come to mind.
The constitution endowed the government with 18 enumerated powers, and the Bill of Rights told the government what they could not do; that is, it erected a wall between government and the rights of the people. The founders knew that government was a force and when controlled by sinners is prone to evil. They wanted to slow the efficiency of government down and this is why they created three branches of government–to prevent an efficient, smooth operating fast government.
“The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” — James Madison, speech in the House of Representatives, January 10, 1794
What the government is saying in regards to Apple phones is we want you “to give up more of your rights and we will protect you.”
We the People want the government to catch bad guys, but not at the expense of destroying the peace and security of innocent people. We demand WARRANTS to be issued based upon “probable cause” supported “by oath” before “searches and seizures” are conducted (See the 4th Amendment).
WE THE PEOPLE cannot give up more rights because our rights are unalienable. This is why we require warrants before the police break down our doors and rumble through our drawers.
“It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government. ”
— Thomas Paine
What the FBI is demanding is warrantless searches of your phone, house, and effects . . . and the FOUNDERS SAID “NO, NO, NO!” Not without probable cause and a warrant.
Yes, its damn inconvenient for the FBI to have to go to Apple with a warrant to obtain the keys to a “suspect’s” phone, but that’s what the Bill of Rights is all about.
WE THE PEOPLE do not consent for zealous cops to come into our houses or to search our phones any time they want because they have a sneaky suspicion.
Good Americans want the police to catch real criminals, but not at the expense of giving up freedoms and empowering warrantless searches.
This is why Jefferson said, “Resistance to tyranny is service to God.”
If the FBI wants to search a suspect’s phone, follow the supreme law of the land, go get a warrant, go to Apple, and have them open up the phone records.
FBI, follow the damn law; that’s all we want! We the People are not your “subjects.” You are subject to our law!
No, Apple should not give the government the keys and produce an inferior product permitting government to access anyone’s private information. There is a 4th Amendment prohibition against such searches.
Having said this, the US government is a big 900 pound bully that usually gets what he wants. Apple will be forced to cave.
All governments are ones of limited powers: family, church, and state. A dad can discipline a son, but he doesn’t have the power of capital punishment. The church is a holy institution, but it can’t tell a man how to run his family or dictate to government their business.
Likewise, the state is god’s hangman, but it must provide the accused with due process of law. Warrantless searches violate God-given rights and due process of law.
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence — it is force. Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action. George Washington
Hope this is helpful.
Pastor Storm Brooks
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