Excel I haven't spoken up on you and Ricks post because,
I'm not an expert in this area but I do know a lot. (A lot for me)
First of all I have a Baptist background. Baptist are for separation of church and state. The argument is? they don't want to be forced by the Gov. to pray to what ever the Gov. forces upon them to pray to.
Then when you live on a mission field, here in the U.S. or at least where I lived and served, you aren't allowed to talk about politics. Never Ever....have I heard a Missionary speak their views in or out of the pulpit on any type of Dem. or Rep. or party practices. The subject is asked to be dropped if anyone talks politics. fwiw I asked one of the missionaries why none of them who served at our church talked about politics. It was obvious over the years it was one of their headquarters rules to me.
I was told they were there to be ministers of the Gospel. What if they offended someone, like let's say a Dem/Rep.
Now the Dem/Rep. who isn't saved, might get mad at them, and reject them for what ever they said about politics, and not listen to them if they share the Gospel with that person. It isn't worth it. So I, have learned to keep my mouth shut on political stuff. Not unless the political stuff violates Gods laws. Like abortion, homosexuality, etc.
Then when I joined the Baptist church the separation of church and state seemed like a good thing to me. (This was not on their statement of faith.)
Not any more. My church is very active. My preacher was invited to watch the signing of the partial birth abortion ban.
At this very moment I type this post ,my preacher is in Washington D.C. He's been invited to teach at the Pentagon and Congress. (pray) my notes say. They said from the pulpit Sun. we got a call from him. He's been invited along with 100 others to have breakfast with the President. Then he had to go and preach/teach at a near by church. He said, "This missionary is tired." LOL
Before he left he said his heart is with us teaching and preaching but he is willing to go where he is called. He would rather be with us.
We just took on a radio station that will reach 50k people in the community. He prayed and the staff prayed. They said for him to go for it. His heart convicted him of the 50k people we would now be reaching with the Gospel. This is costing us big bucks. Some in the congregation have stepped forward to help pay for it. He had the breakdown of the 50k he would now be preaching to in my churches surrounding area. I forgot the stats off the top of my head of the churched and non churched and non saved etc.
As far as taxation I'm against it. They tax us then they can dictate what we can preach and do.
For two of the years I've been at my church we've had Wall Builders come minister to us during Mission Month.
Switching over to non Separation of Church and State if I can call it that has been a growth process for me. I had to change the way I thought. A confusing journey for me.
You and tenac when you get some time should visit wallbuilders.com
I encourage you both to do so. You will like it. :)
(I hope I got that right)
AI
