RELIGION AND POLITICS DON'T MIX

by CHARLES ROBEY
(TRUSSVILLE, AL)

PROLOGUE

“Religion and politics don’t mix," they say, whoever 'they' are. I’ve yet to determine just exactly who these mysterious people may be. Nonetheless, they always seem to rear their anonymous heads when a decision of any importance or opinion needs to be made. And they come in any form, style, trend, shape or fashion, when it comes to speech.

They are absolutely right on all corners of this adage. Religion and politics assuredly do not mix in any form or fashion of government’s philosophy, hypothesis, or legal model, because religion actually supersedes politics. It will always come first in our great country, its people and its way of life.

Religion first superseded politics with God’s creation of mankind and with His Holy Scripture. In the beginning, God made mankind in His own image and likeness to rule over all the creatures of the earth (Genesis 1:26-27). God placed man over all aspects of life, including the legal system over mankind (Genesis 1:28).

Down through the ages, God continued His plan through the establishment of human government and law (Exodus 20:1-26) and continuing with the governmental authority. (Romans 13:1-7)

I realize that America’s progressive mindset now argues for the modern-day false concept that America was founded on the concept of freedom from religion. This falacy was also falsely upheld by the Supreme Court's legal opinion.

However, there is no concept of “freedom from religion” stated in America’s Constitution, nor any other founding documents. It is a proven fact that America was founded on the right of freedom of religion.

If America’s founding fathers thought otherwise, why did they so openly practice their religion? And why do the majority of freedom-loving Americans continue such practices today? Have you checked out the thousands of public quotes coming from these learned founding fathers? Surely, they all could not have been wrong. After all, these founding fathers did write such documents, following principles from God's inspired Word. (II Timothy 3:16)

I surely trust you enjoyed this brief opening prelude. Let us now move on to the essence of this a modern-day fiction story entitled “Religion and Politics Don’t Mix.”

"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11:19-20)

When and how it happened, I’m not rightly sure. It was raining quite profusely as I jumped into my vehicle. The drive home from the Bible college was as usual, in spite of the heavy rain. I enjoyed the drive, talking it all over with my heavenly Father, in concert with my radio Praise and Worship music.

Oh, I know, I should have had my mind on my driving that rainy afternoon. It was my upcoming lecture Religion and Politics Don’t Mix that seemed to be consuming my mind. It had been bugging me day and night. I’ll surely be glad when it’s all over, and we get out for the summer. It’s all this old, worn-out professor can do to make it through the week lately. Only two years to retirement. Hallelujah!

Thanks to Providence, I finally managed to make it home. Let me just sit here a moment, safely in my driveway, and catch my breath. Maybe the rain will let up. Then it happened again. I had another dream.I’ve been having them quite regularly lately. Is it my old age, or what? (Acts 2:17) Nonetheless, whatever the cause, I simply couldn’t shake it.

I was in another century, dressed to fit the part, in a large meeting room of sorts. Sitting around an ornate table were many similarly dressed statesman. On the table was a large scroll, and an inkwell holding a large quill pen. It was as if these patriots were taking some sort of survey or were about put their signatures to a very important piece of governmental legislation.

Suddenly, one of the stateman, who seemed to be the leader, broke away from the rest and approached me. He began speaking as he motioned me over to the table, “It’s your turn, my good man, to make that all-important decision of your lifetime. Will you stand with the good people of your colony, by your signature, and ratify the document of this our new republic, and in so doing by your signature, will you appeal to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of your and the good people of your newly-founded colony’s intentions on this all-important date of history? In doing so, this your public religious dissertation will be well recognized throughout all of history, my good patriot."

As I slowly approached the table of decision, suddenly as if by divine direction, it all came to an end, or maybe switched scenes. The room, its people and my presence had disappeared. I found myself in my bedroom and had just finished my routine bedtime snack and was getting ready to turn in for the night.

My attention was drawn to my study Bible on the bedside table. The book seemed to miraculously come alive, as if taking on a mind of its own. A familiar Bible passage was highlighted in bright red color (Romans 13:1-7) followed by (I Peter 2:13-15) (Titus3:1).

Wow, will I be busy with this research! The Bible references of my doctorial theism have now been divinely decided. I can’t wait till morning. Opening up my nearby laptop, I clicked away, as I worked until sunrise. Amen!

Unexpectedly, as I was gathering my composure and pulling down the sun shade, the telephone rang. It was the college doctrinal committee chair person. “Congratulations professor, you have been promoted to Dean of Civil and Religious Liberty. Your very first assignment will be titled Pursuing Truth and Defending Liberty in The Church Age. You may include your upcoming lecture that you were working on, in with this assignment if you choose. I look forward to working with you. Congratulations, well deserved!" he said.

Oh well, retirement may just have to be placed on hold. This old professor, has had a sudden renewed burst of energy. Amen!

EPILOGUE

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peacefully to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Amendment I, The United States Constitution)

In the First Amendment to the Constitution, the establishment clause bars state support of religion. The free exercise clause allows citizens the right to the religious practices of their own choice, without government interference.

So, why all the hoopla over the opening statement, “Religion and Politics Don’t Mix?” Our founding fathers, in writing the various documents of our great country such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Mayflower Compact were quick to credit God, in “‘appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions.”

Now, in this twenty-first century society of hurry-up-and-wait, anything goes, if it feels good do it, it’s not my responsibility, and the all-important me, myself, and I syndrome, what is the rectitude, or the righteousness, morality and goodness of our intentions?

Do we put our Creator, God first and foremost in our lives, within our family, our work, and most important in our worship? Do we kneel to pray and stand for the anthem, in that order?

According to Larry P. Arnn, President, Hillsdale College, “the framers of the American Constitution combined the best political ideas of the past with innovations in what The Federalist called an improved science of politics: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Doing so, they created a form of government which had, in the words of James Madison, “no model on the face of the Earth.”

“Because men are not angels, government is necessary. Because no man stands to another as God to man, or as man to beast, government must be based on consent. The moral foundation of the Constitution is in the Declaration of Independence and its principles of equal rights. Under the Constitution, government was to be limited to protecting those rights.”

"In recent decades, the way our government operates has departed from the Constitution. It has become less limited, and our liberties less secure. At the same time, true civic education in America - education in the Constitution has largely died out."

Never forget the first three words of The United States Constitution are “We the people.” That’s you and me. So, let’s go to work, fellow patriots. Amen, and Amen! (II Chronicles 7:14)

(John 4:35-36) ”Don’t you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. “