[X. OTerica]

Well, there may be a distinction here between the teachings of the Church and Holy Scripture. While there are a number of examples, I offer two:

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” [Titus 3:1]

“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” [Matthew 22:21]

It is certainly up to the individual to determine when and how to resist wrong things. For example, I would agree that a Christian may choose to resign rather than issue marriage licenses to homosexuals. On the other hand, it would be inappropriate simply to refuse to issue them if their job requires them to.

For what it is worth, the sixth commandment is “Thou shalt not murder”; there are circumstances where killing is both legal and moral (war, self-defense, etc.)

The only place that I recall where the Bible offers explicit guidance to disobey civil authority is in the book of Revelation, where believers are instructed to refuse to take the mark of the anti-Christ, even to the point of death if necessary.

Church teachings should be Biblical; otherwise they constitute “interpretation” of Scripture, much as liberal judges “interpret” the Constitution to discover hidden separation of “Church and State” meaning.

Words mean what they say – or should.

[Antoninus]

Church teachings should be Biblical; otherwise they constitute “interpretation” of Scripture, much as liberal judges “interpret” the Constitution to discover hidden separation of “Church and State” meaning.

The teachings of the Catholic Church are biblical and authoritative. The Church tolerates very little YOPIOS, and none where defined explicitly. When civil law clashes with Church doctrine, Catholics are obliged to obey Church Law.

[Antoninus]

On the other hand, it would be inappropriate simply to refuse to issue them if their job requires them to.

Really? Allow me to present the following case which may illustrate the situation a bit more clearly. You are an officer in the German army in WWII. Orders come down that you are to round up all the civilians in your sector, kill them, and bury them in a mass grave. Do you resign your commission and let someone else do the dirty work? Or do you use your authority to prevent the atrocity from taking place, risking death for insubordination?

WWJD?

[Rutles4Ever]

Words mean what they say – or should.

I agree - like "eat my flesh, drink my blood".

[Aquinasfan]

On the other hand, it would be inappropriate simply to refuse to issue them if their job requires them to.

Why?

[Cronos]

This is not quite the same. I get what you're trying to say -- separation of Church and state. But, when the state asks you to do what you CANNOT do, that is something else. IF the state (say China) mandates that a doctor MUST perform abortions for parents with more than 1 kid, then is that to be resisted or not?