The Body vs. The Member

Which is more important in a polis, or political state? The individual or the state?

In socialist, communist, and other such systems, the state is more important. Each individual or citizen in the state is a member of the political or governmental body, and the body whole is more important than any one member. But, this principle seems to be applicable to other social groups, such as family and church. The good of the whole outweighs the good of the individual.

Some say "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one." It is the principle of Utilitarianism, where "each individual should act to serve the greatest good for the greatest number." It is also in keeping with the words "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" (a slogan of Karl Marx).

In American and Western democracy, on the contrary, it is the individual who was more important. The state existed to serve the individual, not the individual to serve the state. One is reminded of the words of President John Kennedy who said "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." 

People should serve others in their communities. This is a bible principle. But, communities also should help the individual. It is to be, ideally, a mutual reciprocal affair. However, when governmental leaders put too much importance on "the state," on the body politic, while lessening the importance of the individual, they have "crossed the line." This is also true with other bodies, or social organizations, such as church and family.

Too many churches have put too much importance on "the body" and forced individual members, "for the good of the church," to not teach or say anything against the traditions of the church.

Yes, the individual Christian should serve the entire body of believers, especially in local congregations, but those very assemblies exist for the good of the individual members. That is lost in hierarchical ecclesiastical structures. The church has best prospered when assemblies kept their membership to smaller groups (subdividing to form smaller churches). The best Christian fellowship and growth occurs best in small group study and discussion. This is often lacking in mega churches.