*Separation of church and state government

[Reynolds]

So,what is your definition of "Separation of church and state"

Does that mean that Christians should not vote
Does that mean that Christians should not run for office
Does that mean that pastors should not run for office
Does that mean that a pastor should not preach any message about a political issue
a) would that include policies such as abortion and hom0se/ual
b) are there other political issues that are ok
Should a church invite a politician to speak in his church

?????

Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

 

[JonC]

Threats to Tax exempt status is how the State controls the Church, so that the Church does not become political.

That is why Churches should forgo Tax Exempt Status. The Apostles did not have Tax Exempt Status, and were not made mute for loss of it.

But the greedy little pigs across all the churches have made Tax Exempt Status their deep and comfortable wallow, at the expense of the Gospel and the good of the Kingdom.

I do not care about tax exempt statuses. I guess if it keeps churches from becoming political that would be a good thing, but it seems churches are too political even with tax exemptions in place.

I would not fault a church from taking advantage of a tax exemption, as long as they do not operate to take advantage of the exemption.

Why should a church not be exempted when other non-profits are?

 

[Cathode]

I do not care about tax exempt statuses. I guess if it keeps churches from becoming political that would be a good thing, but it seems churches are too political even with tax exemptions in place.

I would not fault a church from taking advantage of a tax exemption, as long as they do not operate to take advantage of the exemption.

Religions should be able to influence politics because they are part society and culture, but not dominate politics.

Why should a church not be exempted when other non-profits are?

If Tax Status prevents the Church from preaching the Gospel and causes the church to ignore blatant wrongs in society, then it should be abandoned.

 

[Cathode]

Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

A sign of a highly advanced civilisation along with the right to bear arms.

 

[JonC]

Religions should be able to influence politics because they are part society and culture, but not dominate politics.



If Tax Status prevents the Church from preaching the Gospel and causes the church to ignore blatant wrongs in society, then it should be abandoned.

Religions in general, I agree. But Christianity, I disagree. We are called out of the World (in but not of, sojourners, a "city on a hill"). We cannot influence society from within.

But that's just my 2¢.

I agree with the second part of your post.

 

[JonC]

Threats to Tax exempt status is how the State controls the Church, so that the Church does not become political.

That is why Churches should forgo Tax Exempt Status. The Apostles did not have Tax Exempt Status, and were not made mute for loss of it.

But the greedy little pigs across all the churches have made Tax Exempt Status their deep and comfortable wallow, at the expense of the Gospel and the good of the Kingdom.

What I am saying is churches do not have to be silent to biblical issues in order to be tax exempt. Churches are pretty vocal about being anti-abortion, anti-sexual immorality, anti-greed...and they are tax exempt.

A time may come when this changes.....but why volunteer to fund an immoral government?

 

[Salty]

Congress shall (not) or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Does that mean that the govt is not allowed to close churches during a medical emergency.
Does that mean that the govt is not allowed to force a church to have handicap parking spaces

how about kitchen inspections, bldg codes, ect, ect

 

[JonC]

Does that mean that the govt is not allowed to close churches during a medical emergency.
Does that mean that the govt is not allowed to force a church to have handicap parking spaces

how about kitchen inspections, bldg codes, ect, ect

Originally it only applies to the federal government (Congress).

Some states maintained state religions until the mid 1800's.

The SCOTUS applied it to states in the mid 1900's.

 

[Reynolds]

Does that mean that the govt is not allowed to close churches during a medical emergency.
Does that mean that the govt is not allowed to force a church to have handicap parking spaces

how about kitchen inspections, bldg codes, ect, ect

That is exactly what that means.
Shall make no law means exactly that. Without law, or court application of a law, how do you propose Congress to do that?

 

[Cathode]

Religions in general, I agree. But Christianity, I disagree. We are called out of the World (in but not of, sojourners, a "city on a hill"). We cannot influence society from within.

But that's just my 2¢.

I agree with the second part of your post.

Tolerating injustice to ourselves might be a virtue, but tolerating injustice done to others is not.
Being Christian requires us at times to work to change situations for the love of others.
We do live in this world, we cannot neglect to do all we can to help others.

 

[JonC]

Tolerating injustice to ourselves might be a virtue, but tolerating injustice done to others is not.
Being Christian requires us at times to work to change situations for the love of others.
We do live in this world, we cannot neglect to do all we can to help others.

I'd say it depends on what you mean by helping others. The Church is called to care for people and to evangelize. Some take this to mean yoking oneself to the World in order to change policies. I am not one of those. I believe we are called to help people by being the church of Jesus Christ.

 

[Salty]

Guess its time for me to answer my own questions

So,what is your definition of "Separation of church and state"

Generally, The State should not meddle in the affairs of the Church
The church should not demand the State impose non- moral issues.
But the problem is who decides moral issue - suppose 7th day Baptists and 7th day Adventists come together to insist
that stores should not be open on the Sabbath (Saturday)

Does that mean that Christians should not vote

Christians Should vote!

Does that mean that Christians should not run for office

A Christian should consider running for office and be upfront with everything.
For example, Gov Huckabee was asked are Mormons Christians
His answer: Huckabee Won't Say Mormonism Is "Legitimate" Christianity

He should have said A) If they have not reprented of their sins - they are not born again, and thus not A christian.
Or B) when you tell me the relevance of that question -as a pre-resquite to be POTUS - I then will answer!

(this discussion was due to the fact that Gov Romney, a Mormon, was also running for POTUS.


Does that mean that pastors should not run for office [/QUOTE]
Local office is not a problem - but State/Commonwealth and/or Federal - then those duties would be too
much while still a pastor.- I would find great comfort in a man of God in a position of authority.

Does that mean that a pastor should not preach any message about a political issue

a) would that include policies such as abortion and hom0se/ual
b) are there other political issues that are [/QUOTE]
A pastor should preach about moral issues -
Many states/commonwealths are permitting certain drugs to be legal
I would be preaching against that - encouraging people to take action.


Huckabee Won't Say Mormonism Is "Legitimate" Christianity
Should a church invite a politician to speak in his church [/QUOTE]
Not for a worship service - a debate would be find -
but never just one candidate - but all who are on the ballot.
Show no favoritism.