Seperation of Church and State

I opened up the Internet Today and to my suprise there was an article about Pat Robertson. It seems that good ole Pat decided to say we should "take out" the president of Venezuela. A day later he claimed that he didn't necessairly mean that we should kill him, and that there were more ways than one of taking a guy out. Whatever he meant, it was taken to totally mean we should pop a cap in this guy's head, and move on with life.

While this proposition may not be a bad idea, since when do we get the idea that we're going to go shoot another president of another country. Heck, since when do we get the idea that we're going to abduct another president. While it may be talked about, behind closed doors, it's just not an option; that's how wars are started. So even the suggestion of such an action is maybe the dumbest thing that a person can do!

Teddy Roosevelt's idea that the United States is a policeman for the rest of the world is a far outdated policy. Sure we need to stick up for the lost and the dying, but the idea that we're superior to other countries is a joke. While the French people obviously hate Americans, they have a reason: we've treated them like crap for years. We've taken the mentality that just being American means we can do what we want; and other countries despise us for it.

The idea that as Christians loving everybody unconditionally is one of the important themes of the Gospel. This means that Christianity is not politically propelled. Running nations is not something that the Christian 'religion' (I hate calling it that) should be about. The business of the state and business of the church should be seperate! This has been the downfall of many countries and many churches. I know you probably don't like what I just said but keep reading and don't think I am a heretic just yet.

A State Church only does one thing, and that is take the realness of the Christian faith away. Yes the attendence and the membership levels are higher, but common logic shows that when the church becomes 'the cool thing to do,' the principles we base our faith on become erroded. No longer are our objectives being to help people find their Savior, but it becomes being a social club.

On the other side of the issue, the Church should not dictate the State's agenda either. Why? Because the mission of the Church is not to run a government, but to be about restoring people. Now before I get too far down that path, I think I need to clarify an issuse; this issuse being our impact on our society. I do believe that Christians should be active in our government, I do believe that Christians should strive to have godly laws, and I do believe Christians should fight to keep laws from being made that are countrary to our faith; but that's not the primary mission of the Church. When Christians live in a country they should make the country a better place to live. Plain and simple, the Gospel message does make the world a better place!

Now as for this whole issue, I think that Pat Robertson needs to flat out fess up for his mistakes. I do not think that a place like the 700 Club is a venue that he needs to be declaring political judgement upon other nations. I do not think that any church is a place for a minister to be making political declarations. Yes, I believe that talking about certain laws and supporting the good in government is proper; but day-to-day policy is too much.

Shame on Christians who think that Pat is right for his comments. If being a Christian is all about Love, where do we have room to 'take out' another person? If being a Christian has anything to do with political policy, then we've missed the point of Jesus message, the Gospel of Jesus becomes only a religion. I think we've seen enough of those.

Thoughts from the Press Box part 12

Check me if I'm wrong, but was Jesus ever offensive to sinners? I only remember Jesus talking about forgiveness and love when he was talking to those who were lost and in sin. If I'm wrong please let me know. Honestly, I have been thinking about this issue for my own life.
I noticed when I was in New York this summer at a music festival, how many times we as Christians are very negative and emphasize the sin in people's lives. Many people were walking around with shirts that said "Abortion is homicide." or shirts with other messages that may have come off to people as offensive.

I feel that this is the reason that we as a family of God get a bad rap. I know that yes not everybody has this mentality and that many times it's a small minority of people giving the rest of us a bad name.

But lets be honest, when I'm looking at people, I expect my own morality and the standard that I have set for myself to be the best. I mentally condem people who do not hold the line that I do. So don't think that I'm saying in a judgemental way, I'm just saying that it's something I struggle with too; something I think is a cancer to Christ's church.

This isn't the complete conversation that I'm having in my head but it's all I want to write about now. I'll finish later. But if you disagree maybe leave me a line or two. Or just talk to me about it if you see me.