Many are on easy about the church speaking about politics

Many are on easy about the church speaking about politics
Many are on easy about the church speaking about politics. And while churches should not politically endorse a specific candidate, not extending influence into the realm of politics is absurd.

Do evangelism, not politics
Many are on easy about the church speaking about politics. And while churches should not politically endorse a specific candidate, not extending influence into the realm of politics is absurd.

We Can All agree to this God Saves people to be Holy and to do good works Ephesians 2:10 – created in Christ Jesus for good works Matthew 15:16 let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven Galatians 6:10 as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone 2 Timothy 1:9 God has saved us and called us to a holy life

Feeling uneasy about the church influencing politics
Should the church/gospel/pastor influence: individual? marriage? family? realm of education? work place? realm of government? Ephesians 2:10. We are created to do good works. Matthew 15:16 says let your light shine so that men may see your good works. Galatians 6:10 says that as we have the opportunity to do good to others. If the pastor teaches his people how to raise their children, that is good works. If he teaches them how to have good marriages, that is good works. If he teaches them how to love their neighbors. That is good works. If he teaches them how to be light in the workplace that is good works. Should churches teach their people how to do “good works” in families, hospitals and schools and businesses and in neighborhoods but not in government? Why should the area of life be excluded from the influence of Christian good works?

Won’t political involvement distract from the main task of preaching the gospel?
If Mike Gil places much of his attention on the sound system, won’t that distract the church from the main task of preaching the gospel? No, not at all. That is what God is called Mike to emphasize The whole ministry of the church will include many emphasis I want to remind you that this passage that we just read was written under the inspiration the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. There are various views of the inspiration Scripture. Properly view is called the verbal plenary view. That process in which the Holy Spirit superintended over the writing of the Scriptures extends to the actual words and extends to all of the words. God did not dictate to the people that have been recorded by the Holy Spirit work through the writing styles, personality and temperament of God's chosen people to record Scripture Just the Way, God intended. Now of course all of us who are orthodox evangelical Christians believe this… At least mentally but functionally sometimes we don't. In other words, there are many passages of Scripture that we read about we just blur past chunks of it because we are in a hurry, we understand it or we simply don't give thought to the words

if you’re younger than 58 In 1954 the U.S. Congress amended (without debate or analysis) §501 (C) (3) to restrict the speech of nonprofit tax exempt entities, including churches, requiring that they refrain from any advocacy of or opposition to any specific political candidates by name.

if you’re younger than 58 This amendment was pushed by then Sen. Lyndon Johnson to get back at two nonprofit organizations that vocally oppose his candidacy for Senate The penalty is revocation of the tax-exempt status of the church A bit of a hollow threat because the IRS has never actually revoked the tax-exempt status of any church for violating this policy

The Johnson amendment §501 (C) (3) to
Prior to the passing of the “Johnson amendment” [1954] there were NO restrictions what churches could or could not do with regard to speech about government and voting Prior to the passing of “Johnson amendment” [1954] there were no restrictions what churches could or could not do with regard to speech about government and voting with the exception of a 1934 law preventing nonprofit organizations spending substantial amounts of the resources lobbying for legislation

Christian Legal Association
Does not argue that “pastors should routinely endorse or oppose various candidates. Rather, it contends that there are times when the moral and religious issues on which candidates differ are so blatant so clearly supported or opposed by biblical principles that pastors should have the freedom to speak out on various candidates when they think it is wise to do so”

Pastors and politics historically
Historically, churches had frequently and fervently spoken for and against candidates for government offices Sermons date back to the founding of America including sermons against Thomas Jefferson for being a deist, opposing William Howard Taft as a Unitarian, etc… Taft -27th president 27th President of the United States (1909–1913)

U.S. Constitution and religious freedoms
1. Historically 2. Biblically Thomas Jefferson once claimed, “A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free.” This was the commonly held attitude of the “enlightened” men who settled the United States. The framers of the Constitution believed that if the new U.S. citizens failed to take care to share information completely among themselves, they would be worse off than they had been as subjects of the British monarchy they fled. The new American settlers brought with them a desire for democracy and openness. They left behind a history of tyranny and official control of information. Using this experience as their guide, the constitutional fathers wrote into their new Constitution a Bill of Rights, which contained the First Amendment. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments, which contain procedural and substantive guarantees of individual liberties and limits upon government control and intervention. The First Amendment, perhaps the best known of these freedoms and protections, prohibits the establishment of a state-supported church, requires the separation of church and state, and guarantees freedom of worship, of speech and the press, the rights of peaceable assembly, association and petition. While some Supreme Court justices have declared that First Amendment freedoms are absolute or occupy a preferred position, the Court has routinely held they may be limited so as to protect the rights of others (e.g. libel, privacy), or to guard against subversion of the government and the spreading of dissension in wartime. Thus, the Court’s majority has remained firm — the First Amendment rights are not absolute. Only two Supreme Court justices, Justice Hugo Black and Justice William O. Douglas, insisted the First Amendment rights are absolute and their dissenting opinions fell to the wayside. Most court cases involving the First Amendment involve weighing two concerns: public vs. private. Also, the Supreme Court has often defined certain speech, also known as “at risk speech,” as being unprotected by the First Amendment: •Burning draft cards to protest draft — prohibited because of superior governmental interest. •Words likely to incite imminent violence, termed “fighting words.” •Words immediately jeopardizing national security. •Newspaper publishing false and defamatory material — libel. Freedom of speech and expression is not a luxury of democracy, but it should be recognized as a necessity. In order for a democratic form of government to function and continue to exist, it must have free expression and educated criticism. Most of the development of the United States’ free society has come about because of public debate and disclosure, in both oratory and written form. It has also been continuously recognized by the leaders of the United States that the minority view can also hold truths. This is how our nation was able to sever ties to Great Britain, by a minority group speaking out against the tyranny.

U.S. Constitution freedom of religion
Historically

The Ultimate Government Theocracy
Yes In His theocracy God rules Earth through different mediators (Abraham and Moses, etc.) at different times in history. No 2 Corinthians 4:4 The final form of the theocratic kingdom will be in the future Do we live in it theocracy? The answer is both yes and no. Theocratic means the “rule of God”; hence, theocratic kingdom defines the kingdom under God’s rule. In his theocracy God rules the earth two different mediators (such as Abraham and Moses) at different times in history. The final form of the theocratic kingdom is an earthly rule of Jesus Christ in the millennium. However, there is a another very real sense in which we do not live in a theocracy but live in a fallen world and that Satan is the god of this age (through God’s sovereign Providence Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God Therefore, we live in a fallen world with a fallen government. However, we can apply biblical principles to determine which type of government would be most in keeping with the Scriptures

Democracy freedom of religion
There is a reason why people are coming legally and illegally to America but not Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Sri Lanka, etc. 2010 –1,042,625 LEGAL immigrants (India, China, Mexico, Dom Reb) Democracy is the best government in a fallen world Iran or North Korea? In doing a Google image search for slides for democracy the first several pages seem to be primarily filled with pictures and slogans and cartoons which were in various shades anti-democracy

American History Lots of opinions but not much knowledge
66% of polled Christians believe the phrase “separation of church and state” occurs in the Constitution Over all, 20% of fourth graders, 17% of eighth graders and 12% of high school seniors demonstrated proficiency on the exam by the (National Assessment of Education Progress) American students are less proficient in their nation’s history than in any other subject, according to results of a nationwide test released on Tuesday Over all, 20 percent of fourth graders, 17 percent of eighth graders and 12 percent of high school seniors demonstrated proficiency on the exam, the National Assessment of Educational Progress The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas

Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Continental Congress The document stating that we would no longer accept rule by England; it also lists the reasons why we were declaring independence 1776 – Declaration of Independence The declaration of independence is the document stating that we would no longer accept rule by England it also lists the reasons why we were declaring independence The Declaration of Independence is just that, a statement announcing to the world that the thirteen colonies were no longer subject to Great Britain but were free and independent states. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Continental Congress. The only person to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th was John Hancock, that is why his signature is so large. It was not officially put into affect until August 2, 1776.) It lays out a philosophy of government that says all people are equal and entitled to certain inalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It says a government which does not have the consent of the people or which tramples on those rights is illegitimate and can be changed in favor of one the people think is better

Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The only person to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th was John Hancock; officially put into affect August 2, 1776 1776 – Declaration of Independence The declaration of independence is the document stating that we would no longer accept rule by England it also lists the reasons why we were declaring independence The Declaration of Independence is just that, a statement announcing to the world that the thirteen colonies were no longer subject to Great Britain but were free and independent states. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Continental Congress. The only person to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4th was John Hancock, that is why his signature is so large. It was not officially put into affect until August 2, 1776.) It lays out a philosophy of government that says all people are equal and entitled to certain inalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It says a government which does not have the consent of the people or which tramples on those rights is illegitimate and can be changed in favor of one the people think is better

Articles of Confederation
1777 After the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, establishing the "united colonies" as Free and Independent States, the Continental Congress set to work on the task of drawing up a document that would provide a legal framework for that Union, and which would be enforceable as the law of the new land After the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, establishing the "united colonies" as Free and Independent States, the Continental Congress set to work on the task of drawing up a document that would provide a legal framework for that Union, and which would be enforceable as the law of the new land

1787 American Constitution
The Constitution was our 2nd attempt to provide a structure in order to run the country (1st was the Articles of Confederation) The US Constitution was originally written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was then ratified by the original 13 states. American Constitution The Constitution was our second attempt to codify a structure to run the country by, the first was the articles of confederation The Constitution was written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was then ratified by the original 13 states. The Constitution was created to form a more unified government. It states the basic principles of our society and the basic laws of our nation. The Constitution also states how our nation is organized including the powers and authorities of our government between the different political units. It guarantees certain rights to the people and it defines and limits the powers of our government's different branches. The Constitution is the main document that sets up the workings of the federal government. The Bill of Rights is an adjunct to the Constitution that makes clear that the federal government is either prohibited from restricting or mandated to provide certain rights to individuals and to states Another distinguishing feature is that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were ratified at different times therefore for a brief period of time, the Constitution existed without the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was ratified by three fourths of the states on June 21, The Bill of Rights was ratified by three fourths of the states on December 15, 1791. The only sense in which they may be considered the same thing is that the Constitution cannot be read without taking into account the Bill of Rights, which represent changes to the Constitution. They are separate parts of a single working document

1787/1791 American Constitution
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America” American Constitution The Constitution was our second attempt to codify a structure to run the country by, the first was the articles of confederation The Constitution was written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was then ratified by the original 13 states. The Constitution was created to form a more unified government. It states the basic principles of our society and the basic laws of our nation. The Constitution also states how our nation is organized including the powers and authorities of our government between the different political units. It guarantees certain rights to the people and it defines and limits the powers of our government's different branches. The Constitution is the main document that sets up the workings of the federal government. The Bill of Rights is an adjunct to the Constitution that makes clear that the federal government is either prohibited from restricting or mandated to provide certain rights to individuals and to states Another distinguishing feature is that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were ratified at different times therefore for a brief period of time, the Constitution existed without the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was ratified by three fourths of the states on June 21, The Bill of Rights was ratified by three fourths of the states on December 15, 1791. The only sense in which they may be considered the same thing is that the Constitution cannot be read without taking into account the Bill of Rights, which represent changes to the Constitution. They are separate parts of a single working document

1787 American Constitution
The Constitution was created to form a more unified government. It states the basic principles of our society and the basic laws of our nation. The Constitution also states how our nation is organized including the powers and authorities of our government between the different political units. It guarantees certain rights to the people and it defines and limits the powers of our government's different branches. American Constitution The Constitution was our second attempt to codify a structure to run the country by, the first was the articles of confederation The Constitution was written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was then ratified by the original 13 states. The Constitution was created to form a more unified government. It states the basic principles of our society and the basic laws of our nation. The Constitution also states how our nation is organized including the powers and authorities of our government between the different political units. It guarantees certain rights to the people and it defines and limits the powers of our government's different branches. The Constitution is the main document that sets up the workings of the federal government. The Bill of Rights is an adjunct to the Constitution that makes clear that the federal government is either prohibited from restricting or mandated to provide certain rights to individuals and to states Another distinguishing feature is that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were ratified at different times therefore for a brief period of time, the Constitution existed without the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was ratified by three fourths of the states on June 21, The Bill of Rights was ratified by three fourths of the states on December 15, 1791. The only sense in which they may be considered the same thing is that the Constitution cannot be read without taking into account the Bill of Rights, which represent changes to the Constitution. They are separate parts of a single working document

US Constitution Fresh in people’s minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution and they demanded a "Bill of Rights" Debate During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights

Bill Of Rights The Bill of Rights is an adjunct to the Constitution that makes clear that the federal government is either prohibited from restricting or mandated to provide certain rights to individuals and to states Another distinguishing feature is that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were ratified at different times therefore for a brief period of time, the Constitution existed without the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was ratified by three fourths of the states on June 21, The Bill of Rights was ratified by three fourths of the states on December 15, 1791. The only sense in which they may be considered the same thing is that the Constitution cannot be read without taking into account the Bill of Rights, which

1791 - the Bill of Rights [Amendments]
The first 10 constitutional amendments ratified in 1791 are known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution has been amended 17 times (for a total of 27 amendments) and its principles are applied in courts of law by judicial review … well, sort of… During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered. On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights

U.S. Constitution and religious freedoms
Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution. It is the name given to the first ten amendments (or changes) to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights limits the powers of the Federal government and protects the rights of all citizens. Some rights you have from them: The right to speak freely against the government. The right to bear arms (own guns) and the right to not have the government come into your home to search it without good cause and/or a search warrant.

U.S. Constitution ratified 1788
Bill of Rights 1791 Amendments 1ST Amendment

America A Christian Nation
influence influence An Overview Madison’s original proposal for a bill of rights provision concerning religion read: “The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretense, infringed.”1 The language was altered in the House to read: “Congress shall make no law establishing religion, or to prevent the free exercise thereof, or to infringe the rights of conscience.”2 In the Senate, the section adopted read: “Congress shall make no law establishing articles of faith, or a mode of worship, or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, . . .”3 It was in the conference committee of the two bodies, chaired by Madison, that the present language was written with its some[p.970]what more indefinite “respecting” phraseology.4 Debate in Congress lends little assistance in interpreting the religion clauses; Madison’s position, as well as that of Jefferson who influenced him, is fairly clear,5 but the intent, insofar as there was one, of the others in Congress who voted for the language and those in the States who voted to ratify is subject to speculation. Scholarly Commentary.—The explication of the religion clauses by the scholars has followed a restrained sense of their meaning. Story, who thought that “the right of a society or government to interfere in matters of religion will hardly be contested by any persons, who believe that piety, religion, and morality are intimately connected with the well being of the state, and indispensable to the administration of civil justice,”6 looked upon the prohibition simply as an exclusion from the Federal Government of all power to act upon the subject. “The situation of the different states equally proclaimed the policy, as well as the necessity of such an exclusion. In some of the states, Episcopalians constituted the predominant sect; in others Presbyterians; in others, Congregationalists; in others, Quakers; and in others again, there was a close numerical rivalry among contending sects. It was impossible, that there should not arise perpetual strife and perpetual jealousy on the subject of ecclesiastical ascendancy, if the national government were left free to create a religious establishment. The only security was in extirpating the power. But this alone would have been an imperfect security, if it had not been followed up by a declaration[p.971]of the right of the free exercise of religion, and a prohibition (as we have seen) of all religious tests. Thus, the whole power over the subject of religion is left exclusively to the state governments, to be acted upon according to their own sense of justice, and the state constitutions; and the Catholic and the Protestant, the Calvinist and the Arminian, the Jew and the Infidel, may sit down at the common table of the national councils, without any inquisition into their faith, or mode of worship.”7 “Probably,” Story also wrote, “at the time of the adoption of the constitution and of the amendment to it, now under consideration, the general, if not the universal, sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedom of religious worship. An attempt to level all religions, and to make it a matter of state policy to hold all in utter indifference, would have created universal disapprobation, if not universal indignation.”8 The object, then, of the religion clauses in this view was not to prevent general governmental encouragement of religion, of Christianity, but to prevent religious persecution and to prevent a national establishment.9 This interpretation has long since been abandoned by the Court, beginning, at least, with Everson v. Board of Education,10 in which the Court, without dissent on this point, declared that the Establishment Clause forbids not only practices that “aid one religion” or “prefer one religion over another,” but as well those that “aid all religions.” Recently, in reliance on published scholarly research and original sources, Court dissenters have recurred to the argument that what the religion clauses, principally the Establishment Clause, prevent is “preferential” governmental promotion of some religions, allowing general governmental promotion of all religion in general.11 The Court has not responded, though Justice Souter in a major concurring opinion did undertake to rebut the argument and to restate the Everson position.12 Annals of Congress 434 (June 8, 1789). 2 The committee appointed to consider Madison’s proposals, and on which Madison served, with Vining as chairman, had rewritten the religion section to read: “No religion shall be established by law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed.” After some debate during which Madison suggested that the word “national” might be inserted before the word “religion” as “point[ing] the amendment directly to the object it was intended to prevent,” the House adopted a substitute reading: “Congress shall make no laws touching religion, or infringing the rights of conscience.” 1 Annals of Congress 729–31 (August 15, 1789). On August 20, on motion of Fisher Ames, the language of the clause as quoted in the text was adopted. Id. at 766. According to Madison’s biographer, “[t]here can be little doubt that this was written by Madison.” I. Brant, James Madison—Father of the Constitution 1787–1800 at 271 (1950). 3 This text, taken from the Senate Journal of September 9, 1789, appears in 2 B. Schwartz (ed.), The Bill of Rights: A Documentary History 1153 (1971). It was at this point that the religion clauses were joined with the freedom of expression clauses. 4 1 Annals of Congress 913 (September 24, 1789). The Senate concurred the same day. See I. Brant, James Madison—Father of the Constitution 1787–1800, 271–72 (1950). 5 During House debate, Madison told his fellow Members that “he apprehended the meaning of the words to be, that Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any Manner contrary to their conscience.” 1 Annals of Congress 730 (August 15, 1789). That his conception of “establishment” was quite broad is revealed in his veto as President in 1811 of a bill which in granting land reserved a parcel for a Baptist Church in Salem, Mississippi; the action, explained President Madison, “comprises a principle and precedent for the appropriation of funds of the United States for the use and support of religious societies, contrary to the article of the Constitution which declares that ‘Congress shall make no law respecting a religious establishment.”’ 8 The Writings of James Madison (G. Hunt. ed.) 132–33 (1904). Madison’s views were no doubt influenced by the fight in the Virginia legislature in 1784–1785 in which he successfully led the opposition to a tax to support teachers of religion in Virginia and in the course of which he drafted his “Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments” setting forth his thoughts. Id. at 183–91; I. Brant, James Madison—The Nationalist 1780–1787, 343–55 (1948). Acting on the momentum of this effort, Madison secured passage of Jefferson’s “Bill for Religious Liberty”. Id. at 354; D. Malone, Jefferson the Virginian 274–280 (1948). The theme of the writings of both was that it was wrong to offer public support of any religion in particular or of religion in general. 6 3 J. Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States 1865 (1833). 7 Id. at 1873. 8 Id. at 1868. 9 For a late expounding of this view, see T. Cooley, General Principles of Constitutional Law in the United States 224–25 (3d ed. 1898). 10330 U.S. 1, 15 (1947) . Establishment Clause jurisprudence since, whatever its twists and turns, maintains this view. 11 Wallace v. Jaffree, 472 U.S. 38, 91 (1985) (then–Justice Rehnquist dissenting). More recently, dissenters, including now–Chief Justice Rehnquist, have appeared reconciled to a “constitutional tradition” in which governmental endorsement of religion is out of bounds, even if it is not correct as a matter of history. See Lee v. Weisman, 112 S. Ct. 2649, 2678, 2683–84 (1992) (Justice Scalia, joined by the Chief Justice and Justices White and Thomas, dissenting). 12 Lee v. Weisman, 112 Ct. 2649, 2667 (1992) (Justice Souter, joined by Justices Stevens and O’Connor, concurring). First Amendment -- Table of Contents

Amendment I 67% believe the phrase “separation of church and state” is in the Constitution - NOT! Amendment I James Madison Fischer Ames "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" had always meant that Congress was prohibited from establishing a national religious denomination, that Congress could not require that all Americans become Catholics, Anglicans, or members of any other denomination. This understanding of "separation of church and state" was applied not only during the time of the Founders, but for 170 years afterwards. James Madison ( ) clearly articulated this concept of separation when explaining the First Amendment's protection of religious liberty. He said that the First Amendment to the Constitution was prompted because "The people feared one sect might obtain a preeminence, or two combine together, and establish a religion to which they would compel others to conform."

“Separation of church and state”
Nothing to do with the 1st Amendment The phrase originates in Thomas Jefferson's personal 1802 letter to the Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut A governmental law was essentially forcing Baptists throughout the state to support Congregational churches . Jefferson was responding to the Danbury Baptists' complaints that Connecticut's law was oppressive to their religion (among other things, Connecticut's law allowed towns to levy taxes for the support of a religion designated by the majority of voters; since Connecticut was overwhelmingly Congregationalist, the law effectively forced Baptists throughout the state to support Congregational churches). The Baptists, who knew of Jefferson's advocacy of separation, "honored [Jefferson] as an apostle of religious liberty. Much of their address sounded like [Jefferson's] bill for establishing religious freedom in Virginia, and they hoped that the sentiments of their 'beloved President' would prevail so that 'hierarchy and tyranny' would vanish from the earth" (Dumas Malone, Jefferson the President: First Term, , p. 109). While Jefferson was powerless to change Connecticut's law (the First Amendment did not yet apply to the states), Jefferson used the occasion to express his belief that no such law could be implemented on the federal level. Observed Jefferson: I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law regarding an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Separationists have long taken Jefferson's "wall" metaphor as an accurate and historically significant summary of the intent of the First Amendment. Indeed, we take the metaphor so seriously that we are sometimes accused of worshipping Jefferson, as if the only reason we think the Constitution requires the separation of church and state is because Jefferson wrote his letter. But this is nonsense; the history of the Constitution and the First Amendment is well documented, and it suggests beyond doubt that the framers wanted to put as much distance between government and religion as possible. Jefferson's metaphor is simply a handy way of stating the obvious. If Jefferson had never written his letter, we would still be defending the wall, since the wall exists in the Constitution itself. We consider and refute three other charges against Jefferson's wall metaphor elsewhere in this web page. If you want to read these sections now, click here, here, and here.

America a Christian Nation?
Yes! But it is fading quickly Did you know that in 1892, the Supreme Court declared America a Christian nation

Amendment 1? No Mystery James Madison ( ) clearly articulated his concept of separation when explaining the First Amendment's protection of religious liberty. He said that the First Amendment to the Constitution was prompted because "The people feared one sect might obtain a preeminence, or two combine together, and establish a religion to which they would compel others to conform” America's forefathers endured great danger and difficulty to live their Christian faith without governmental interference. The fact that our nation was founded as a Christian nation cannot be denied, even by the liberal historians who have tried to rewrite our history. Unfortunately, many young people today are being brainwashed by these liberal misinterpretations of history. Many Christians fail to realize that a great danger being perpetuated in our public schools is not only the onslaught against Biblical morals, but also the attack against the truth of our nation's Christian heritage. Christianity was assumed to be the faith of the nation, though not to be forced on any individual who chose to believe otherwise. Our forefathers never intended for our government to discourage the dominant Christian influence. Until recently, Christianity was assumed to be the faith of liberty.

Amendment 1? No Mystery James Madison
The 1st Amendment clearly meant that Congress was prohibited from establishing a national religious denomination, that Congress could not require that all Americans become Catholics, Anglicans, or members of any other denomination. government could not force or coerce religion not that the church could not influence government America's forefathers endured great danger and difficulty to live their Christian faith without governmental interference. The fact that our nation was founded as a Christian nation cannot be denied, even by the liberal historians who have tried to rewrite our history. Unfortunately, many young people today are being brainwashed by these liberal misinterpretations of history. Many Christians fail to realize that a great danger being perpetuated in our public schools is not only the onslaught against Biblical morals, but also the attack against the truth of our nation's Christian heritage. Christianity was assumed to be the faith of the nation, though not to be forced on any individual who chose to believe otherwise. Our forefathers never intended for our government to discourage the dominant Christian influence. Until recently, Christianity was assumed to be the faith of liberty.

James Madison “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God”

James Madison Madison‘s personal Bible written notes appear in the margin of Chapter 19 of the Book of Acts: Believers who are in a state of grace, have need of the Word of God for their edification and building up therefore implies a possibility of falling. v. 32

Amendment 1? No Mystery Fischer Ames - 1801 Palladium Magazine
“dark and murky night of pagan immorality” If the Bible ever fails to remain the preeminent subject in our schools within one generation there will not be enough prisons to hold our prisoners America's forefathers endured great danger and difficulty to live their Christian faith without governmental interference. The fact that our nation was founded as a Christian nation cannot be denied, even by the liberal historians who have tried to rewrite our history. Unfortunately, many young people today are being brainwashed by these liberal misinterpretations of history. Many Christians fail to realize that a great danger being perpetuated in our public schools is not only the onslaught against Biblical morals, but also the attack against the truth of our nation's Christian heritage. Christianity was assumed to be the faith of the nation, though not to be forced on any individual who chose to believe otherwise. Our forefathers never intended for our government to discourage the dominant Christian influence. Until recently, Christianity was assumed to be the faith of liberty.

Amendment 1? No Mystery The First Prayer offered in Congress September 7, 1774 by Jacob Duehe “O - Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments… All this we ask In the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior

Amendment 1? No Mystery Benjamin Rush
Prominent Founding Father 3 x is presidential advisor Signer of the Declaration of Independence Founder of six universities Founder of first Bible society Appointed by Pres. John Adams as the treasurer of the US mint A Defense of the use of the Bible in Schools

Amendment 1? No Mystery SAMUEL ADAMS
American Revolutionist and a Signer of The Declaration of Independence “I conceive we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world...that the confusions that are and have been among the nations may be overruled by the promoting and speedily bringing in the holy and happy period when the kingdoms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere “

Amendment 1? No Mystery 1st President George Washington
“Direct my thought, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit .... Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ”

Amendment 1? No Mystery 2nd President John Adams
“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” October 11, 1798

Actions Speak Louder Than Words
The House of Representatives called for a national day of prayer and thanksgiving on September 24, 1789 THE SAME DAY THAT IT PASSED THE FIRST AMENDMENT From 1789 onward, Congress has authorized chaplains, paid by public funds, to offer prayer in Congress and in the armed services

Amendment 1? No Mystery Jefferson closed the Danbury letter, written in his official capacity as President, with a prayer: “I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man." On the very day Jefferson sent his letter to the Danbury Baptists he was making plans to attend church services in the House of Representatives.

Amendment 1? No Mystery Jefferson signed a treaty into law in 1803 that provided for a government-funded missionary to the Kaskaskia Indians. In response to Congress' request of July 9, 1812, President James Madison issued a proclamation recommending a day of public humiliation and prayer to be observed by the people of the United States, with religious solemnity

The Ten Commandments are inscribed on the wall of the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court begins each session with the prayer: "God save the United States and this Honorable Court."

In the 1892 Supreme Court ruling in Church of the Holy Trinity vs. U.S. (citing 87 precedents), "Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of Mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian." While the case was not specifically about religion, the court considered America's Christian identity to be a strong support for its conclusion. Almost half of the text of the opinion is spent demonstrating America's Christian identity, in order to show that Congress could not have intended to prohibit the employment of ministers from foreign countries. Justice brewer

JOHN MARSHALL - Supreme Court Justice, 1833 Ruled The American population is entirely Christian, and with us, Christianity and Religion are identified. It would be strange, indeed, if with such a people, our institutions did not presuppose Christianity, and did not often refer to it, and exhibit relations with it. Legislation on the subject is admitted to require great delicacy, because freedom of conscience and respect for our religion both claim our most serious regard."

Old and new Lawsuits against the US government’s Judeo-Christian precepts, laws and rulings are not new. Atheism, evil and savings schemes have always been around him What is new is our response to the lawsuits

STRANGE

Oath Test “ I do believe in God, the creator and Governor of this universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked, and I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the OT and NT to be given by Divine Inspiration” Atheists could not testify in court Could not serve as a schoolteacher or in public office without affirming the oath As an example, see the Delaware Constitution, Art. 22 (adopted Sept. 20, 1776): Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust . . . shall make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: "I ________, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, Blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scripture of the Old and New Testaments to be given by divine inspiration."

Shortly upon completing the U.S. Constitution the government was immediately sued U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Jay "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

America : A Christian Nation
John Jay – 1st Chief Justice of the US “What we need is a Christian nation - the only alternative is a pagan nation. By ‘Christian nation,’ I don't mean that everyone is forced to be a Christian or forced to go to church or to believe in God. People are free to be Buddhists or atheists. The job of government is not to convert or force conversion to any kind of faith… Our First Continental Congress understood this concept as is evident in the words of John Jay. What we need is a Christian nation - the only alternative is a pagan nation. By "Christian nation," I don't mean that everyone is forced to be a Christian or forced to go to church or to believe in God. People are free to be Buddhists or atheists. The job of government is not to convert or force conversion to any kind of faith. The job of the government is to do for the people what they can't do for themselves. And the job of bringing people to faith belongs to the private citizens, the churches, the synagogues and the religious leaders of our nation. That separation should always be kept. What I mean by a Christian nation is a nation whose laws are self-consciously built on the laws and principles of the Bible.

America : A Christian Nation
John Jay – 1st Chief Justice of the US ...The job of the government is to do for the people what they can't do for themselves. And the job of bringing people to faith belongs to the private citizens, the churches, the synagogues and the religious leaders of our nation. That separation should always be kept. What I mean by a Christian nation is a nation whose laws are self-consciously built on the laws and principles of the Bible.” Our First Continental Congress understood this concept as is evident in the words of John Jay. What we need is a Christian nation - the only alternative is a pagan nation. By "Christian nation," I don't mean that everyone is forced to be a Christian or forced to go to church or to believe in God. People are free to be Buddhists or atheists. The job of government is not to convert or force conversion to any kind of faith. The job of the government is to do for the people what they can't do for themselves. And the job of bringing people to faith belongs to the private citizens, the churches, the synagogues and the religious leaders of our nation. That separation should always be kept. What I mean by a Christian nation is a nation whose laws are self-consciously built on the laws and principles of the Bible.

The type of earthly government makes a huge difference
Form of Government The type of earthly government makes a huge difference Christianity should influence government I want to remind you that this passage that we just read was written under the inspiration the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. There are various views of the inspiration Scripture. Properly view is called the verbal plenary view. That process in which the Holy Spirit superintended over the writing of the Scriptures extends to the actual words and extends to all of the words. God did not dictate to the people that have been recorded by the Holy Spirit work through the writing styles, personality and temperament of God's chosen people to record Scripture Just the Way, God intended. Now of course all of us who are orthodox evangelical Christians believe this… At least mentally but functionally sometimes we don't. In other words, there are many passages of Scripture that we read about we just blur past chunks of it because we are in a hurry, we understand it or we simply don't give thought to the words

“do evangelism, not politics.”?
what would the world be like if we adopted this view Amos 5:24. Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream God cares about how people treat one another here on earth, and he cares about government because he created it and it is His instrument I want to remind you that this passage that we just read was written under the inspiration the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. There are various views of the inspiration Scripture. Properly view is called the verbal plenary view. That process in which the Holy Spirit superintended over the writing of the Scriptures extends to the actual words and extends to all of the words. God did not dictate to the people that have been recorded by the Holy Spirit work through the writing styles, personality and temperament of God's chosen people to record Scripture Just the Way, God intended. Now of course all of us who are orthodox evangelical Christians believe this… At least mentally but functionally sometimes we don't. In other words, there are many passages of Scripture that we read about we just blur past chunks of it because we are in a hurry, we understand it or we simply don't give thought to the words

Freedom of Religion Allows and facilitates the beneficial influence of Christianity on governments Responsible for outlawing infanticide, child abandonment and abortion in Roman empire 374 Outlawed brutal gladiator battles to the deaths 404 Granting of property rights protection to women Banning polygamy Prohibiting burning women alive in India 1829 Outlawed painful crippling practice of binding women’s feet in China of parentheses 1912 Abolished slave trade 1840 I want to remind you that this passage that we just read was written under the inspiration the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God. There are various views of the inspiration Scripture. Properly view is called the verbal plenary view. That process in which the Holy Spirit superintended over the writing of the Scriptures extends to the actual words and extends to all of the words. God did not dictate to the people that have been recorded by the Holy Spirit work through the writing styles, personality and temperament of God's chosen people to record Scripture Just the Way, God intended. Now of course all of us who are orthodox evangelical Christians believe this… At least mentally but functionally sometimes we don't. In other words, there are many passages of Scripture that we read about we just blur past chunks of it because we are in a hurry, we understand it or we simply don't give thought to the words

North and South Korea similarities Difference Language
ethnic background Cultural history Live in the same location of the world Difference South Korea is a robust, thriving democracy with free people North Korea is a communist country with the most repressive, totalitarian government in the world I want to remind you that this passage that we just read was written under the inspiration the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God.

North and South Korea South Korea/Democracy North Korea/Communism
Freedom of religion Robust public Christian worship 25% are evangelical Christians Christianity is growing, thriving and S Koreas is sending missionaries around the world Severe, persistent persecution has hindered the church so greatly that there is No missionary activity No public worship No known publication of Christian literature Only a handful of Christians who must worship covertly face a long road to recovery. Gomes, 31, returned to the United States on Friday with former President Jimmy Carter, who traveled to North Korea on Tuesday on a humanitarian visit to negotiate the Boston man's release. North Korean officials agreed to release Gomes to Carter, 85. Gomes, an English teacher turned Christian activist, crossed into North Korea on January 25. In April, the North Korean government sentenced the Boston native to eight years in a hard-labor camp and fined him $700,000. It's uncertain why Gomes crossed into North Korea, but most observers speculate he did so in response to the actions of his friend, Robert Park. On Christmas Eve 2009, Park, 29, crossed into North Korea in hopes of drawing attention to the Communist nation's human rights violations and persecution of Christians. Park was arrested and imprisoned in North Korea and released after six weeks. Gomes and Park both attended Every Nation Church of Korea in Seoul. Simon Suh, the church's pastor, told NPR that the two may have been drawn to North Korea because of "passionate prayers by defectors now living in the South," many of whom attend their church. Since his release, Park has not spoken about his imprisonment—due in part, he said, to fears for Gomes's safety—and he declined to say anything publicly about North Korea until Gomes was safe. It has not been an easy transition for Park, who said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and that he fell apart as a person and felt tormented. "After leaving North Korea, I went through a lot of things—I have been in and out of psychiatric hospitals and it's been very difficult because I know more now than ever how evil the situation in North Korea is," Park told Christianity Today in an exclusive interview. "Once you're there [in North Korea], in that position where you are observing what is happening and you are witnessing evil, and you come to the Western world and everyone is celebrating you are back—it can be aggravating."

U.S. Constitution freedom of religion
2. Biblically

OT Government Mosaic Law Leadership law Military law Criminal law
Laws of humane treatment Laws of governing the family Laws concerning property rights Religious law

NT Government Teaching
Jesus distinguished the realms of God and Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22). “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” There are two different spheres of influence, one for the government and one for the religious life of the people of God

Freedom of religion is a biblical value Although Jesus does not specify exactly what is outside of Caesar’s realm, certainly “the things that belong to God” must include decisions and actions regarding worship and doctrinal belief 1 Amendment –government must not establish, force or coerce religion However, the entirety of Scripture and our past historical response encourage the gospel to invade every aspect of life including government

Col 1: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17

Rom 13:1-5 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2… 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

Titus 3:1 remind the people to be subject to the rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good

1 Peter 2:13-14,17 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Summary God created and has supremacy over government Human governments are extension of God who ordained the institution of government We are to submit to government unless clearly contrary to the higher authority of God himself (Acts 4:20, 5:29)

We are to submit to authorities (and good or evil authority makes quite a bit of difference) Parents Teachers Law enforcement officers Employers Governing officials

Israel had a succession of 20/20 wicked kings and was annihilated by the Assyrians Judah had 16/20 wicked kings and thus fared a little better but fell to Babylonian captivity Hosea 8:7 they sowed the wind and reap the whirlwind

U.S. Constitution and freedom of religion
Is incumbent upon every Christian to vote It is incumbent upon every Christian to vote for the candidates who will best bring about a biblically righteous government Proverbs 14:34 righteousness exalts a nation

What if I don’t like either candidate? If the choice is being thrown into 10 or 5 foot of pig swill - then pick 5 foot

The only thing needed for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing Edmund burke

When the gospel doesn’t influence government
Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1 (1947) was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court which applied the establishment clause in the country's Bill of Rights to state law for the first time

When the gospel doesn’t invade government
1940 1990 Talking out of turn Chewing gum Making noise Running in the halls Line cutting Dress code violation Littering

1940 1990 Talking out of turn Drug abuse Chewing gum Alcohol abuse Making noise Pregnancy Running in the halls Suicide Line cutting Rape Dress code violation Robbery Littering Assault

Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. F.S. 421 (1962) was the landmark United States Supreme Court case that determined that it was unconstitutional to have school prayer due to "separation of church and state”

Fisher Ames 1801 Dept. of Health 1963 SAT - drop 100 Teen pregnancy increase 553% 15 y/o/ or less increase 1000% Prison spending increase 884% Violent crime increase 798% 1000 prisoners a day released Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962),

Vote righteousness We each have a responsibility to act in accordance to biblical principles, including how we vote. We must vote for righteous leaders. If we vote for leaders who support abortion, same sex marriage, redistribution of wealth or subordination of sovereignty to other nations, we support unrighteousness.

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