Church of the USA
To whom do we owe our primary allegiance? And aren't the Baptist's the original 'separation of church and state' denomination?
Leave a comment, please.
posted by Robin at 7:58 PM
Saturday, May 14, 2005
To whom do we owe our primary allegiance? And aren't the Baptist's the original 'separation of church and state' denomination?
Previous Posts
4 Comments:
THIS is one of the things that galls me the most. How many churches, of all denominations, do you see flying the US flag, but not the Christian flag? Or even worse, flying the US flag over the Christian flag? They're stating to the world, "Our allegiance is to our Federal Government; Christ has no part in it!"
(Churches also say the same thing when they incorporate as 501(c)3 organisations. They then belong no longer to Christ, but to the State.)
The fundamentalist current in Baptist thought has some worrying undercurrents to it. Ever so gradually, they seem to be turning AGAINST separation of church and state, in the belief that ours was a Godly nation from the start; it WAS a Godly enterprise that our Founding Fathers entered on, but (and here's their mistake) it was never a specifically and exclusively Christian one. When these people say "One Nation Under God" you know darn well which God they have in mind.
Yes, our primary allegiance is to Christ, but we also recognize that God puts authority over us for our benefit--no political leader is in power in this country unless God ordained him/her to that position. Therefore, submission to our government is scriptural--allegiance is nothing more than submission to the authority over us. Furthermore, separation of church and state is a concept proposed by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists in Massachusetts which he wrote because the Baptists there were being imprisoned and persecuted for their beliefs--they could not vote, they could not hold office, their shops were boycotted...the principle of separation of church and state is not to keep the church from being involved in political affairs, but to keep the government from establishing one religion which must be followed by all. That does not mean that religion has no place in politics--it is imperative that we place Christian men and women in leadership in this country, and more churches should help members become informed on the issues at stake in this country--not during the Sunday morning service, but certainly there is a place for churches to inform members about current political climates that demand our attention. Is it not a good thing that Christians should be politically active and that churches should support that? We will be judged by our nation. It is absolutely critical that we put people into office who will uphold our beliefs. This sign is not saying that our primary allegiance to the nation. Stop being so critical--it's like you are searching for fault in other people/churches. Don't worry about the speck in your brother's eye until you get the plank out of your own.
Hey anonymous, what part of Humor don't you understand? I am not trying to find fault with other churches - I am trying to be funny and make people think.
This sign specifically says "We Pledge Allegiance to One Nation" when, in my view, it's allegiance should be to Christ and His church. True, a believer will always be a good citizen and in a Republic that means being informed and electing godly leaders. But a believer should also be a good citizen in China, Iraq, or North Korea according to Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul.
Why put mixed messages on your church sign? Why not be clear about what you believe.
Post a Comment
<< Home