Separation of Church and State
The political wheel enveloping organized religion
The Church, Government, society or human-kind; what's the relationship? Taxes!
A ‘separation of church’ affairs from the ‘politics of the state’ may be a (No – Win) situation. Perhaps, you cannot separate the organized church from government involvement. Possibly, the political wheel enveloping the church could be dissolved, but, the probability of the same is highly unlikely.
Let’s refer to what may be one of the oldest records in the world, if not the oldest: (The Holy Bible – The King James Version).
Referencing the Bible is practical and relative to government, relationship, and the church. Generally, when one makes reference to the church, usually, God is a major factor. Commonly, God and the Church are intertwined. Our equation may look like this then: (God = Government), and (Church = the social order or humanity). How so? In this reference, (the Bible), there’re numerous references relative to God, the Church, and Government, and strong references are made as to how he, God, desired that the body be governed. Further examination of the same reference may reveal that, the church, society, and or human-kind, were intended to be governed, but solely by laws expressed by the God of the Bible. For example: The Law Giver; Moses, wrote Leviticus, a book solely comprised of laws by which the people were to be governed and judged. Exodus 40:16 states that Moses, the quote-unquote governor over the people, did all he was commanded to do by the Lord God. Again, this is just one of many instances where God told a ruler, and the ruler told the people; then, they went about establishing the laws, and how they’d be enforced. One might surmise that, a cohesive civilization must have a law-maker, a law-giver, government; and enforcement agencies. This might address the why; relative to the ‘Separation of Church and State,’ a separation hasn’t been established.
The ‘Bible – King James Version,’ also makes reference to government, the people, and paying ‘tribute,’ and/ or taxes; which would certainly explain why there may never be a parting-of-the-ways. References: Luke: 2:1-5 reads, ‘It came to pass in those days, that a decree from Caesar Augustus went forth, saying that the entire world would be taxed: 2). this taxing, was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. 3). Also, everyone went to his own city to be taxed. 4). Joseph and Mary also traveled back to Bethlehem to be taxed. Mathew 17:24-27 states that Jesus Christ paid taxes: and reads as follows; ‘When they came to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter asking, “Doesn’t your master pay tribute?” And, he answered, yes. When Peter returned home Jesus asked Simon (Peter), “From who do the rulers of the earth take tribute, from their own, or strangers?” Peter answered, “Of strangers.” On that note, Jesus told Peter where to find money to pay taxes for both of them, so as not to offend anyone.
Herein, we’ve discussed how the church, government, and society as a whole may be interconnected; possibly for the purposes of forming a system whereby we might garner support, be sustained, be governed, and be judged. Last, one might deduce that church and government are incorporated; mind you, both consist of people. It may be, you can no more separate them than you can life from death; though opposites with opposing agendas. Somehow, they remain involved. It is certain that if you’ve lived, then death is due a life.
