1. The Duty of Citizens to Serve Their Country
World Scripture
There is not one of us but has his appointed position, and we are verily ranged in ranks [for service].
Qur’an 37.164-65
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Isaiah 58.12
Among the actions and good deeds for which a believer will continue to receive reward after his death are knowledge which he taught and spread, a good son whom he left behind, or a copy of the Qur’an which he left as a legacy, or a mosque which he built, or a house which he built for the traveler, or a stream which he caused to flow, or a contribution which he gave from his property when he was alive and well, for which he will continue to receive reward after his death.
Hadith of Ibn Majah (Islam)
Strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal in life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind… The ignorant work for their own profit, Arjuna; the wise work for the welfare of the world, without thought to themselves.
Bhagavad Gita 3.23-25 (Hinduism)
If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.
Aristotle, Politics (Hellenism)
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die. Eleanor Roosevelt And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy5
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
When you belong to a nation, you must know how to love all its citizens.
(1:336, December 30, 1956)
What kind of person is a patriot? A patriot wants his country only to flourish. He would rather that his country not have any problems to be concerned about. But since he has a loving mind towards his country, when he sees a problem he takes full responsibility in dealing with it.
(161:133, January 18, 1987)
People who silently do public duties and serve their community and nation become its owners, wherever they may go.
(5:16, November 9, 1958)
Be ready to do the most painful, unpleasant work. When you see the filthiest place in your neighborhood, think, “I should be cleaning it up.”
(284:154, August 1, 1993)
Take on the most difficult task for your nation; take on the most difficult task for your church; and take on the most difficult task for the world: If you don’t go this way willingly, you remain as a servant and cannot reach the realm of an adopted son. You have to be willing to digest all these tasks with joy.
(113:111, May 1, 1981)
Individuals should not take advantage of their nation; on the contrary, individuals should willingly let their nation take advantage of them, offering themselves for their nation’s benefit. That is our duty as citizens. We should encourage all the people of our nation to take this direction.
(24:20-21, June 22, 1969)
We must eliminate the basis of evil—including greed, decadence, distrust and false love—from society at every level—family, community, nation, world and universe—through practicing sacrifice, service, honesty, and true love centering on God.
(167:100, June 30, 1987)