JCK-at-large SITE

I get a little nervous when people start treating political leaders as godsends. Even if the incumbents happen to have fallen into a kind of atrophy, and the alternatives are entirely off the rails, heaven knows how foolish this is.

Do they not realise that the emerging Adolf Hitler was blessed by a large swath of the German church?  That these good people espoused Nazism, and called themselves “storm troopers of Jesus Christ?”  That the storm troopers soon sought to claim a central place for Christianity in Nazi Germany?  That the German Christian movement wanted to combine Christianity and National Socialism into a movement “that would exclude all those deemed impure and embrace all true Germans in a spiritual homeland for the Third Reich?” That the notorious Ludwig Müller, appointed Bishop of the Third Reich in 1934, soon vowed to purge Protestant churches of all “Jewish influence?” 

The rest, of course, is history:   

“Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, around two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population. The murders were carried out primarily through mass shootings and poison gas in extermination camps, chiefly Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Belzec, Sobibor, and Chełmno in occupied Poland. Separate Nazi persecutions killed a similar or larger number of non-Jewish civilians and prisoners of war.”

All of which should restrain our excessive rhetoric about “a battle between good and evil”, and “the anointing” upon a political leader.  No matter how compelling his virtues, he is hardly “the new Moses” and definitely not a “saviour.”  When prominent spokesmen start declaring that he was “chosen by God for such a time,” it leaves all the people who feel otherwise wondering how they could be so benumbed as to miss the voice of God completely! Why not hold such opinions somewhat privately and deferentially, or at least express them without the divine endorsement, and see how it all plays out?  This preserves the vital separation between church and state.

Without the separation of church and state, we lose a fundamental core of any democratic society.  It defends against religious discrimination, preserves individual freedom and calls for governmental neutrality in a diverse, inclusive and harmonious nation.  According to the Baptist News Global, the separation of church and state preserves five major democratic blessings:

(1) It preserves religious freedom. One of the primary reasons for the separation of church and state is to safeguard religious freedom for all citizens. By ensuring government institutions do not promote or favor any particular religion, citizens are free to practice their faith or beliefs without fear of persecution or discrimination. This protects the rights of minorities and prevents the dominance of any one religious group, fostering an environment of tolerance and respect.

(2) It Prevents religious coercion. When church and state are entwined, there is a risk of religious coercion, where the government may impose religious beliefs or practices on its citizens. This undermines personal autonomy and can lead to the marginalization of those who hold different beliefs. By keeping religion separate from government, individuals can make their own choices about their faith, free from the influence of the state.

(3) It promotes respect and diversity. Separation of church and state fosters a society that embraces pluralism and diversity. By preventing the establishment of a state religion, it allows for the coexistence of different faith traditions, beliefs and practices. This creates an environment where individuals can engage in interfaith dialogue, learn from one another and celebrate the richness of diverse religious expressions. A society that values and respects diverse religious perspectives is more likely to cultivate respect, understanding and social harmony.

(4) It protects religious communities. Separation of church and state also safeguards the autonomy and integrity of religious organizations and spiritual communities. By keeping government interference at bay, religious communities can freely carry out their religious duties, practices, and teachings without external influences. They are better equipped to fulfill their spiritual mission and address the needs of their respective communities without being subject to political pressures or manipulation.

(5) It provides a path for rational decision-making. Government decisions should be based on reason, evidence and the common good of all citizens, not on the religious dogma of a specific group. Separation of church and state provides a path for policies and legislation to be formulated through a rational and democratic process, driven by the needs and objectives of the entire population. This strengthens the foundation of good governance and encourages leaders to make informed choices that benefit our nation.

In short, this is a great essential which we should all be respecting and defending staunchly.  As Thomas Jefferson said, in the foundational days of his great democracy: “Erecting a wall of separation between church and state is absolutely essential in a free society.”  

As for our own beleaguered times, so hungry for decisive leadership, so ready to sacrifice principles for expediency, so inclined to forcefully impose a personal vision of right and wrong over what someone else might think, Rick Warren calls us back to fundamentals: “A truly free society protects all faiths, and true faith protects a free society.”