Church and State

The majority of people do not find any conflict between being a patriotic American and a faithful Christian. There are, however, two groups who do. Their reasons are as different as night and day.

One group, which I will call “secular-progressives”, see a long history of too close a relationship between the
Federal Government and the Christian Faith. They have been among those offended by outward signs of religion in government-supported institutions; such as public schools, the congress and the military. An example is their opposition to prayers in the official acts of these institutions. The “secular-progressive is offended by the imposition of a faith based reasoning in the discussion of same-sex marriage; life issues like abortion and physician assisted suicide; and in the demand that creationism be taught in the public schools. For the secular- progressive the separation of church and state is near absolute. The wall is wide and high.

The other group having a conflict between being a Christian and a flag-waving American are some who see a need to choose. Either you place the United States Constitution above everything else; or you accept unconditional discipleship to the Jesus of the Bible. This group can also be offended as outward signs of the Christian faith are used by government institutions.
Prayers and benedictions, would be reserved for the Church to use within the community of faith alone. Not assuming, for a moment, that God will is being done in and through the government. For these disciples of Jesus, the separation of Church and state protects the people of God. Allowing them to challenge the policies of the state. And not assuming that any action or policy for children, the poor, the ill and the elderly among us is automatically in accordance to discipleship to Jesus.

Both of these groups support a strong wall between the Church and state. One wants to protect the state from the Church. The other wants to protect the Church from the state.

Question: Where should an individual disciple of Jesus position him or herself?

What should be the ultimate truth for my life; the constitution of the United States, or the words and deeds of the Jesus found in the Scriptures? When it comes to the expending of our common wealth (for instruments of war, for feeding hungry people, for offering health care, for educating our youth) what will guide our dicisions?