Monday, February 6, 2017

Pray Your Way.

       There's a law in our Constitution which requires separation of Church and State. The government can't establish a "state Church." But Church, churches, can't create a state government either. To enforce these ideals there's a "Johnson Rule." What the Johnson rule says is that no religious entity such as a church can have its priest or pastor or Rabbi or leader stand up in support of or argue against any politician and remain tax exempt.
       Since churches are considered charitable organizations, they are tax exempt. The thinking is that if a church breaks the Johnson rule, then it can no longer be considered a charitable institution since no charity can become involved in politics. They'd lose their tax exempt status.
       Now a separation between church and state is a good thing. Our country was founded on the idea that all religions are free and open and the government can neither create a single church of the land, nor outlaw any church without proof that it is a terrorist institution sponsoring un-American activities. It protects both the Government from churches and churches from the government.
       So why would Pres. Trump want to take down this law? Because some churches do want to take over the government. But history shows that countries that held one single church to be the only and required church failed. Imagine if we all had to be Baptist or all Presbyterian or all Catholic.
        That church would be in constant turmoil within itself. Nobody would agree with anyone else. Sort of like what our government is like now. Its bad enough that all the politicians are fighting each other, do we really need all the ministers and priests and all getting into the battles? I hope not. I want my preacher to think about God not who's in charge here on earth.

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