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Pioneer and Bell Church of Christ

Is There a Wall Between Church and State?

Our present generation has been coerced to believe that religious folks, especially those of the "Christian" faith can be legally required to keep silent about their practice of religion. A good deal of this has been because of the so-called "wall between church and state." This is presently being interpreted as a concept that every single person in our nation can have absolute freedom from any religious influence. Our military has been targeted by Mikey Weinstein, head of the "Military Religious Freedom Foundation" who has declared war on religious freedom in the military. Interestingly, he openly declares that when one dons the uniform of our country the only religious symbol is the flag, and one religious scripture: the American Constitution, and only one religious faith: American patriotism. He and his organization with the support of the Obama administration, have intimidated the Pentagon into jumping to his wishes, removing God and all religious symbols from the lives of our military men and women, and generally making life difficult for those who express their Christian faith in any way. It should not surprise you to learn that he is an atheist; ironically some of his supporters are Jews and Muslims.

 

The first amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America simply states:

"Congressshall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" (underlining mine, ER).

 

Quite obviously, all the First Amendment forbids is a "state" or official religion, to the exclusion of all other religions! However the present administration seems to feel that they can at will prohibit the free exercise of religion in spite of the First Amendment! This writer believes that one of the reasons they have chosen to ban Christianity, is because of the teachings of the New Testament concerning Christian's responsibility toward the government under which they may live. Romans 13:1-7 makes very clear the Christian's duty toward government when it starts by saying, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1; see also 1 Peter 2:13-17). In Romans Paul explicitly tells Christians to pay taxes, obey the laws, and honor those who rule. The one exception to obeying, is when government attempts to require us to do something against God's instructions, or not do something God commands of us. "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

 

Ed Rodgers, Forney, TX