"The best government is that which governs least." Or is it? Should the American people be free to rebel against laws they consider unjust? Henry David Thoreau addresses these issues in his essay Civil Disobedience. Thoreau wholeheartedly accepts the statement that the best government is that which governs least, and would like to see it implemented. One day, he hopes, we will be able to get to the point where men can have a government that does not govern at all. The government “has never favored any business per se.” He claims that the character of the American people, more than the government, kept the country free, colonized the West, and educated the people. If the government had not intervened, the people would have achieved even more. Thoreau goes on to say that we should not decide what is “right” by majority vote, but rather by individual conscience. If an individual believes that a law is unjust, he should not obey it. Thoreau had some good, high-sounding ideas, but it seems he didn't understand the reasoning behind some of the government's actions. His views do not match those found in the Constitution and the Bible. Thoreau states that we should not decide by majority, but by conscience. The majority is not necessarily right; they are only in power because they are the strongest group of people. Any government in which the majority rules in all cases cannot be based on justice. Thoreau asks why there cannot be "a government in which majorities do not decide virtually right and wrong, but conscience? ... Must the citizen ... resign his conscience to the legislator? Why does every man have a conscience, then? I think we should be men first and subjects second." One should cultivate a res... middle of paper... what is morally right and wrong will have complete power, which can easily lead to a tyrannical ruler. Thoreau says we shouldn't obey unjust laws - however, if everyone did that, people would start calling laws they don't particularly like or that are difficult to follow "unjust." Furthermore, this exhortation is completely contrary to biblical teaching. We must obey government authorities unless their laws go against God's law. Minorities can influence the government, but not in the way Thoreau suggests. Instead, we should be an influence as Peter counsels us to be an influence: "For it is the will of God that by doing good you should silence the ignorant speeches of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as coverage". inclined to evil; live as servants of God. Show due respect to all: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."