"The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles?"
"Indeed, Mr. Jefferson, what could be invented to debase the ancient Christianism which Greeks, Romans, Hebrews and Christian factions, above all the Catholics, have not fraudulently imposed upon the public? Miracles after miracles have rolled down in torrents."
"The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature; and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. Although the detail of the formation of the American governments is at present little known or regarded either in Europe or in America, it may hereafter become an object of curiosity. It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of Heaven, more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture; it will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses."
The issue is whether or not Christians really need the endorsement of government to be able to do their jobs. Just like businesses compete in the free marketplace, religions should compete in the free marketplace of ideas. The old adage that “the cream always rises to the top” would apply here. Christianity when truly lived, not just proclaimed, would be attractive. Christ said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Myself.” Christ can draw us with the power of His love - He doesn’t require the Empire to push Him upon unbelievers.
If the government can’t handle health care, why would it be able to handle religion? Would our Christian nation be closer to Catholicism, Protestantism, or Pentacostals? Would Jim Wallis or James Dobson’s ideas predominate? What about Jeremiah Wright?
If we all sat down in a room together, we would disagree about things that we consider basic beliefs. What kind of consensus would it take to run a Christian country? Again, I think the most powerful would push their way forward and those who held a quieter faith would be shuffled aside regardless of whether they were Christians or not.
Practically speaking, it’s a bad idea.
Somebody above said I must be a Marxist or something - far from it. I’m a true conservative - somebody who doesn’t want somebody else’s beliefs shoved down my throat by the government. The government needs to stay out of the business of indoctrination whether it is Christianity or Communism. Let the church do it’s job which is to lift high the cross as an alternative to the way of the world.
Michael Peabody
Michael Peabody