Counsel #3 — Religious Liberty

Picture: Counsel #3 — Religious LibertyCSI 46.1

Religious liberty is established upon the separation of church and state. Christianity becomes apostate when it craves power from the government, especially to support a political agenda, nationalism, political party or to legislate a particular tenant of belief. Freedom and choice are hallmarks of God’s kingdom. A government or state is therefore to remain impartial to the cause of all faiths, as well as to those who claim no faith and no religion. The coalition or merger of church and state prevents the practice of religious liberty, wherever that merger is found.^{[83]https://www.libertymagazine.org/article/church-state-separation}CSI 46.2

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 566:7b NKJVCSI 46.3

“’In matters of conscience the majority has no power.’---Merle d’Aubigne, History of the Reformation, b.13, ch.5. This principle we in our day are firmly to maintain. The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founders of the gospel church and by God’s witnesses during the centuries that have passed since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands. The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom God has blessed with a knowledge of His word.” Ellen G. White in The Great Controversy, pp. 68, 69CSI 46.4

Reflect: In what ways could patriotism turn from pride in one’s national heritage into a diabolical nationalism that erodes religious liberty?CSI 46.5