Most often we hear irreligious folks accuse Christianity of intolerance, Christians of being bigots and hateful. So the question we are forced to ask is how true is this statement?
OPENING STATEMENT
In Old Testament times, most nations operated a theocracy including Israel, their failures or successes' depended on their degree of Obedience to God's Word.
Fast Forward to the New Testament, the concept of Separation of Church and State was firmly established with the government limited to rewarding good deeds, dispensing justice, collecting taxes and punishing wrongs. The establishment of a state religion WAS NOT PART of the duties of the government Biblically Speaking (Romans 13:1-7). This is NOT to say the US Constitution contains the phrase "Separation of Church and State", instead the 1st amendment PROHIBITED Congress from Establishing a State Religion.
"Congress shall 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" {emphasis mine}.
SALIENT VERIFIABLE FACTS
A) Nations established upon Judeo-Christian principles are the MOST TOLERANT of opposing beliefs e.g. United States, Israel, Denmark etc.
B) Nations established upon Arabic-Islamic principles are the LEAST TOLERANT to opposing beliefs e.g. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Iran etc.
C) Nations established upon other religious beliefs like Hindu or Buddhism are NOT EXACTLY TOLERANT of other beliefs e.g. India, Tibet.
D) Communist Atheist governments past and present are HOSTILE OF ANY religious beliefs' aside government sanctioned religion e.g. former USSR, China etc.
E) Secular Humanism DOES NOT GUARANTEE Freedom of Religion, instead it ENFORCES Freedom FROM Religion.
COMMENTARY
Freedom of Religion is a biblical principle and directly in line with God's perfect will that ALL will come to repentance(freely). Christianity remains the ONLY religion that truly and wholly ensures freedom, tranquility, tolerance and liberty for all and sundry.
Why Freedom of Religion is Biblical?
1) God never forces anyone to accept Him. Man can be punished for sins, just like a lawbreaker is punished for breaking the law but God will not force people to come to him. Several instances in the Bible can attest to this, Jesus did not force the Pharisees and Sadducees' to convert, likewise he didn’t stop the Rich young ruler from turning his back(Matt 19:16-23), also we see Jesus's disciples leaving him after a tough teaching, He never forced them to stay even strangely asked if others wanted to leave(John 6:66-67).
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
2) Man being created in the Image of God(Gen 1:26) has "free will" to choose. Man has the inalienable and natural rights to choose whichever religion he/she deems fit(Joshua 24:15) but man is not excused from the consequences of his/her choice, just as one can choose to run the red light 🚥 such a one is not exempted from paying the necessary fine or punishment.
Josh 24: 15a And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;
Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
3) The government doesn't change hearts only the Holy Spirit does. To take away Freedom of Religion would mean God is placing our hopes in the hands of government and it's officials. Jesus Christ(Yeshua) didn't come to establish a government here, in-fact he had to run 🏃🏾 away because the Jews forcefully wanted to make Him king 👑( John 6:15) and confirmed this at the Praetorium before Pontius Pilate(John 18:36).
John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
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| Government Sanctioned Religion leads to the Pollution of the Gospel of Christ |
4) Freedom of Religion confirms the Biblical Position that The call to salvation IS NOT a call to RELIGION, but IS a call to PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with God(Matt 15:7-8). A government sanctioned religion cannot provide a personal relationship as evident by ancient Israel theocracy where only the High Priest had the opportunity and rights to go into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the nation(Levi 16:2, Hebrew 9:7), New testament Christians can go directly to the Father through the ONLY MEDIATOR Jesus Christ({Heb 9:15}, NOT MARY or ANYONE) and have unparalleled access to the Holy of Holies(Heb 10:19).
Matt 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Irrespective of what people may say or write the fact remains the Framers of the United States Constitution were enlightened men(heavily influenced by the Bible and theists) in the biblical principles of Justice, Liberty and Equity for all.
The US was established upon Biblical principles hence the freedom perceived and enjoyed there HOWEVER the US was not established as a Judeo-Christian Theocracy. Since the US decided to do away with Judeo-Christian principles and ethics what is observed? Less and less freedom for her citizens and it's gonna get worse.
Separation of Church and State is good unless you prefer to be ruled under Sharia Law. N.B: All bible Verses quoted are from the King James Version(KJV).
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