Church and State

The New York Times has an article about a planned protest by 33 churches in which the ministers plan to endorse a Presidential candidate from the pulpit this weekend.

I am a firm believer that they should lose their tax exempt status. We have reasons for the separation of church and state in this country, and if you're going to participate in state, you should not be considered a church, simple as that. Anything less is a slippery slope to theocracy.

This is not, as those who disagree with me will likely say, an attack on Christianity. Our rules are set up that way because we are a nation in which people are free to be whatever religion they choose to be, and that freedom becomes ashes on the tongue if that freedom comes along with rules and customs from another religion being made law. If that happens, this country becomes no better than the Taliban era Afghanistan or than Iran.

And who decides WHICH biblical rules become laws? Is it just the reasonable ones, like not stealing, not killing, etc? Or does someone try to mandate Christianity? Keeping the Sabbath holy? Honoring our parents? And what is the punishment if we don't? Who decides what is and isn't a violation of "honoring" your parents?

Or to step away from the "Big 10", who is to say someone doesn't decide to enforce the rule against wearing clothing made of different fibers? Or not being near a woman during her cycle? Or stoning to death those who cheat on a spouse, or are a witch (another religion, by the way), or a number of other crimes?

And I'm sure the next question is "Liam, do you really see no difference between letting religious leaders endorse candidates and the total theocratic nightmare you describe?" Well, sure. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and small steps. Starting down the path, every little step seems reasonable until you're too close to the end to turn back, and then it's too late.

The rules are there for a reason. Violate them, and we take away your tax exempt status.

Liam.