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To: End The Hypocrisy
I wrote:
Between 1776 and 1955 we did not have a Theocracy. In fact we did not have a theocracy during the late 18th and early 19th century when some states had official churches.

ETH responded
Various states had STATE laws which made sure that the state and church were separate during that time. In Virginia, for example, Jefferson authored his state's religious independence bill.
Thank you for citing the exception, which proves the rule. MA and CT Congregationalist, NY NJ NC SC and GA were Anglican/Episcopalian. In these states, all citizens were taxed to pay for the Established STATE CHURCH. I'm not sure about the others. I certainly don't support State Churches, but the point remains that your fear is ahistorical.

The US DOES, indeed, have numerous religions. The idea that any churches could continue having tax-exempt status while potentially suggesting to their congregations that "God[s] told me we must vote for this politician" brings theocracies to mind, though, does it not?

Nope. A Theocracy is a place where the Established Church runs the government. Having various congregations get involved in political controversies or even endorsing candidates does no such thing.

12 posted on 10/08/2002 2:40:17 PM PDT by rmlew
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To: rmlew
I sed: >>>The US DOES, indeed, have numerous religions. The idea that any churches could continue having tax-exempt status while potentially suggesting to their congregations that "God[s] told me we must vote for this politician" brings theocracies to mind, though, does it not? <<<

You sez: >>>Nope. A Theocracy is a place where the Established Church runs the government. Having various congregations get involved in political controversies or even endorsing candidates does no such thing.<<<


Dictionary.com sez: "theocracy: 1: a political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought to be divinely guided) 2: the belief in government by divine guidance."


We respectfully disagree.


16 posted on 10/08/2002 3:18:31 PM PDT by End The Hypocrisy
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