| By Jillian - Aug 13th, 2007 at 9:48 am EDT |
Since ancient times people worried about demagoguery. Plato produced an indictment of rhetoric, Gorgias, and Socrates was sentenced to death for his inability to be swayed by the leaders of the time (on a trumped up charge of "corrupting the youth"). Today, we find demagoguery replacing facts, mainly in the form of religion. The war in Iraq is peddled to church groups as a fight against the Muslim faith (see Ann Coulter's intolerant attack on Muslims sprinkled throughout Godless: The Church of Liberalism) and spending on religion has seen a massive increase since Bush took office. Former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair, said, "I don't want to end up with an American-style of politics with us all going out there and beating our chests about our faith." It may be significant to note that Blair is considered one of the most religious leaders Britain elected in recent years.
After all the conflicts over government and religion since the Bush administration took over, what does the Bible say about the separation between church and state?
The following story can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke:
"The Pharisees went off and made a plan to trap Jesus with questions. Then they sent to him some of their disciples and some members of Herod's party. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we know that you tell the truth. You teach the truth about God's will for people, without worrying about what others think, because you pay no attention to anyone's status. Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor or not?' Jesus, however, was aware of their evil plan, and so he said, 'You hypocrites! Why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin for paying the tax!' They brought him the coin, and he asked them, 'Whose face and name are these?' 'The Emperor's,' they answered. So Jesus said to them, 'Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God.'
Matthew 22:15-22
If the Bible is to be taken as the literal truth, God wants a distinction between church and state. The role of religion should be in changing its followers. Churches could take over where the government has thus far been deficient. Instead of spending money on mega churches, lobbyists, and political campaigns direct finances to serving the community. Day-care for single mothers, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, shelter for the homeless and food for the hungry. If so-called religious demagogues took time to read the Bible and think about the views they are espousing they could realize the most pronounced feature of Jesus' character is his sacrifice for the people. Jesus was in the business of helping people, not legislating for them. He didn't want to impose a faith on the unbelievers, he wanted to help them. One thinks now of how Mary Magdalene would be received by the "followers of Christ". She would probably be told to get lost and to not expect federal funding for STD testing nor a subsidy on birth control pills. True believers, step up. For the rest of you, see the passages on the Pharisees.
For further reading:
American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips
Jesus is Not a Republican: The Religious Right's War on America by Clint Willis
Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction by David Kuo
!
Comments are closed for this post.
If the bible says separation of church and state is verboten, would we care? I'd certainly hope not. If we're not going to run our country according to the bible or the supposed word of somebody's supposed god, we shouldn't care what the bible says on the topic one way or another.
Consulting the bible when it suits you merely gives credence to those who will in turn consult the bible when it suits *them*.
I personally think Jillian offers insight into how people of faith should view their obligations as good citizens.
For myself, I try to apply the following logic:
As a Christian, I am Biblically sound in finding the words and deeds of some on the religious right sinful.
As a Christian AND a citizen (see Rom 13:1-7), I have the right if not the obligation to oppose them in the political arena.
But then again, as a Christian, I do not have the right to seek to deny or restrict their Constitutional guarantees as punishment for their iniquities. That would be meting out judgement reserved for God and, Lord knows, I can use some work myself.
So, in short, I can use man's law to navigate the public venue, but God's law is applied by Him and Him alone.
I hope that wasn't too convoluted.