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Should we defy the government as Christians?


Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10
            The decree set up by the Persian officials was meant to trap Daniel, scare him and discredit his position as adviser to the Persian king.  This was not a law that supported the government, kept the peace or served any moral purpose.
            Just because Daniel defied this law doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay taxes, we can riot against the government or jaywalk.  The government, in Daniel's case, set itself up above God.  Only in those specific instances can we defy the government.
            Peter and John refused to listen to religious leaders telling them not to evangelize.  The source was religious leaders (not the government) and the action of telling others about Christ can never be silenced.
            If the government tells you to stop praying, talking about God or to worship a gold idol, then by all means defy them.