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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The issue of the separation of church and state is one that has prompted much debate. In spite of the rhetoric common to revisionist historians, our founding fathers did not seek to eradicate relig...
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Emo Tenorio
As one of the greatest lies and con jobs in our history, for this fallacy only appeared in the twentieth century. To drive out and replace God's precepts, morals from the public square and setup in the void new pet idols of the state. The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of America, that people have unalienable rights granted from their Creator. This declaration of personal rights not granted by earthly mortal kings or governments was revolutionary and puts the Creator front and center for all to see. That's why the secularists don't refer to this document much, as Jefferson wrote it as a promise to be read and understood by all unborn generations. The U.S. Constitution which came much later after the war of Independence had been won and was the fulfillment of the promise. The Constitutional convention opened May 25 1787 with a quorum of seven states and prayers for the Creator's guidance. These opening prayers would continue as they knew well the true nature of a man with power. The Constitution was enacted to secure the rights, the liberties of the people, their states and setup a system of checks and balances, small federal government that is restricted in it's powers as they feared fallible man. There was great debate as to add amendments to further clarify and protect the rights of citizens, it was argued at the time that no one could be that ill informed as not to know the meaning of what was written. The vision to see that at some far distance future time there would be such a people in the land, and thus the bill of rights was added, thank you Lord. At the time each state had it's own religious denominational majority the first amendment's purpose was that the federal authority could not pick a favorite! At the conclusion of the Constitutional convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked, "What have you wrought?" He answered, "a Republic, if you can keep it." The form of government chosen by founders Representative Constitutional Republic, they were well aware that this form, could only work if the citizens were a moral, honest God fearing people. In a democracy there are many dangers and no safe guards for the minority as the majority can change anything at anytime and for any reason. History proves that a democracy is just semi controlled mob rule for a season, that leads to a revolt, that is why this form was rejected by the founders. Massachusetts congress 1774 Acts 25:11 Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual, to defend the rights heaven gave and no man ought to take from us. C.S. Lewis "Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victims may be the most oppressive." The crumb of freedom men grant you today, they will return for tomorrow. In the Lord's true freedom there's no separation........warrior on
Vin Smith
...Technically speaking, the greatest majority of our founding fathers were actually deists, as opposed to what we might recognize today as conventional Christians. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... This, of course, is not specifically a statement that proclaims a separation of church and state, but it has the same effect. The problem is, first and foremost, our Creator and Redeemer has instituted Free will as a major plank in Christianity, and for good reason. God wishes us to love Him willingly, and to surrender our lives to His direction--which is perfection personified. He has encouraged the United States to be the hub for proclaiming the individual's free choice to follow His teachings. That would not be possible if our founding fathers--under His guidance--had made a law respecting the establishment of a religion.
Joe cattani
I agree with Mr. Houdmann. Separation (as it was intended) of church and state is a good thing. I don't believe it was meant to keep Godly people from government, but to protect you from government. Democracy and religion, if I may be permitted to use that word, is like oil and water, they don't mix. Democracy by definition is to compromise. In a democracy we freely give up a certain amount of personnel freedoms for the benefit of society, Worship of God requires absolute freedom. Religion knows no compromise. There can be no law infringing on my right to worship God as I see fit. Our founding fathers realized this, as they lived without absolute freedom to worship God as they saw fit.We as Americans don't appreciate a lot of our freedoms because they are all we know. Man, by his nature, will seek power over others. It is what he does. We see this in our own churches today. Why are there so many denominations of christian churches if we all believe the same things? All churches have whats called a belief statement. If you happen not to agree with one, say speaking in tongues, then you are told to find another church. Which I guess is OK, they shouldn't compromise there beliefs. The founding fathers though the constitution didn't even want to crack the door open to let a government "belief statement" to come into being. They knew how dangerous it was because they lived under one. Finally, we must understand that we are not a reflection of the government,the government is a reflection of us.
Aurel Gheorghe
The state symbolizes force and power, power to fine or to put people in jail if they don't obey the law. It’s the duty of the state to use force in order to keep the peace, safety and stability of a nation. Most people obey laws out of fear, knowing that the state has the power to punish if laws are disobeyed. However, the biblical faith works differently. The first and most important commandment is to love God (Mat 22:37). The essence of true biblical faith is love, not force. Love out of fear isn’t really love. The Founding Fathers, in their wisdom wrote the First Amendment starting with these words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”. God doesn’t force us to obey Him; instead He wants us to obey Him freely, out of a heart of love (1 John 5:3). The principle behind religious freedom, or separation of church and state, is to try to keep these two realms separate, or else we wind up with the government using force to compel things that should be done only out of love. When a state start mixing religion with its power and compels religious observance, always bad things happen. Those who practices differed from what the state wanted to enforce would often face persecution simply because they wanted to be faithful to their understanding of what God asked them to do. During the Middle Ages, the power of state united with the power of Roman Catholic Church which resulted in horrendous persecution of anyone who did not worship the way the Church wanted to worship. If God doesn’t force us to obey Him, what makes the state think it should? When it comes to matters of faith, how one worship, what day worship on, how one pray, and many other things that involve religious belief and practice, the safest course is for the government to stay as far away as possible. Christians who get involved in politics and invite the government into religious affairs are asking for trouble. At some point, we all probably fantasized about getting our denomination leader/s elected to some powerful state office. Now think about the prospect of a deeply religious candidate, who you deeply disagree with and contradicts your religious beliefs. What if that person, after being elected to a position of state power, tries to compel everybody else to worship exactly like he/she does. That would not be a good or profitable outcome regardless how sincere and well intended that political leader might be. Some things belong to force, some only to love, and we need the wisdom to know the difference between the two.
Vincent Mercado
Supporter
The Jewish understanding is that the King and High Priest are both paternal figures. Noah, Abraham, and later, David, are all seen as both legal and spiritual head of the community. Jesus is portrayed as both King and High Priest. It is foolish to think that Jesus is simply a spiritual leader. The early Christians were in danger of death for proclaiming "Iesous Kyrios" (Jesus is King) as compared to the watch word of that era, "Kaiser Kyrios" (Ceasar is King) The separation of Church and State is an attempt to separate "legality" from "morality". Because of this, it has become possible for abortion, which is immoral to the highest degree because it is the killing of innocent child, to be legal. As a parent, I find it difficult to explain to my children why prostitution, an immoral act that breaks marriages, is legal.
Robert Hibbard
The phrase "separation of church and state" has a false understanding by some, which makes it a negative thing. But properly understood there is a positive aspect to it. For some, separation of church and state means religion has no place in the public square. This is a common perception, and referred to as the "constitutional separation of church and state." But the phrase is not in the Constitution, but from a letter by Thomas Jefferson which in its context called for government to stay out of religion. This view is, of course, foolish, as the 1st Amendment to that same Constitution gives one the right not only to believe the faith one chooses, but to practice it. Practicing one's faith may put one in the public square. A proper understanding of church and state separation acknowledges what Abraham Kuyper called "sphere sovereignty" within Christianity, i.e. a sovereign God has allowed for different authorities over different aspects of creation, e.g. parents over children. Government has its role of ruling, while the church has a different role, which, dare I add, includes influencing government to rule in a righteous and just way. But the church, for example, doesn't dictate foreign policy, and the government doesn't conduct worship of God. They have their "separate" roles. The phrase separation of church and state can be a foolish statement or valid concept, depending upon how one understands it.
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