Separation of Church and State Part I

On a news paper forum I heard a very interesting remark coming from someone in support of Gay marriage. This persons statement has been implied before by many other people throughout the interwebs. I now find it necessary to address the issue directly. The poster on the other news board said, "If a church wants tax exempt status they should expect some government oversight." This position, which to some may seem reasonable, is one that should never be propagate by those of sound reasoning. Now you may ask why? The answer is simple. Once the government can gain access to a group that holds a power over the eternal destiny of people then you can guarantee tyranny and despotism. The proof of this is in history.

One has to look at any totalitarian regime. One of the methods and philosophies of totalitarianism is to control the thoughts of the people through any means necessary. Sometimes they use physical means. This is of course what most people see when they think of a totalitarian state. Mass executions, beatings, attacks, things like that. However what is more powerful than the threat of violence is the control of the soul. The Nazis did this well by co-opting the power away from the churches and into the Nazi government. Once the churches were in line the likelihood of people revolting diminished.

So, what if the government gains control of churches through oversight? I can say that a relatively short time after this oversight is granted then the government will perverse the doctrine of the churches forcing them to declare the near absolute power of the government.

Now you may say but Scott that won't happen in America the churches would surely be given a choice. You know at first you would be right. The churches would be given a choice. Let's look a little farther down the road. Looking down the path of governmental oversight over churches you will see that the government in a time of necessity will bring all churches into its power. The churches that won't concede to that kind of control will be deemed enemies of the state, non-compliant, and will be broken. Thus leaving all power in the hands of the government to corrupt the teachings of all churches and thus control the thoughts and actions of many of the people within the nation's borders.

That is one reason for the Separation of Church and State. There is a second and that is when the reverse happens. That though will be discussed later. Hopefully tomorrow.