Allowing for the basest categorization of political parties, there are two species of Republicans in Kentucky: the economic and the religious. The latter has always held the majority in this region. This is regrettable because they decline to address the important local, state, and federal issues. However, the tragedy of this situation resides in the true essence of the political philosophy itself. Religious Republican thought brings destruction of our national values and weakens our religious power, for the philosophy fails to maintain the ideals of both the Constitution and Christianity.
The Constitution expressly forbids the intermixing of Church and State. Neither the Church nor the State is to interfere with the other's sphere of influence. This reasoning stems from a concern to prohibit the State from changing religious institutions, culture, and doctrine, while restraining the Church from setting state policies. For the most part, the Federal Government has stayed out of religious affairs. The Church, however, can not make such claims. Numerous Christian groups continue to place their values over the nation. Such examples are prayer and religious writings in schools. While other examples exist, these are two issues that most recognize. The State maintains the public school systems and therefore the schools rest inside the State's sphere of influence. Participating in these activities within the State sphere only strengthens the State-Church ties, which can not be viewed as appropriate. Furthermore, the schools, and indirectly the State, appear to indorse specific forms of religion. This is exactly the problem the Founding Fathers wished to avoid. The State can not and must not indorse Christianity over any other religion or our religious freedoms are stripped away.
Religious Republicanism also goes against the fundamentals of Christianity. The goal to elect Christian people to enforce Christian values on the American citizens, government, and even the world contradicts the whole spirit of Christianity. Satan offered Christ the world; he refused. Furthermore, Christ sought to convert people on their own free will. Forcing people into Christianity is not in the spirit of Christ.
If the religious Republicans really believe in the value of the Constitution, they would not strive to bring the State under Church control. If the religious Republicans really accept the teachings of Christ, they would realize the importance of free will and never force Christianity on others. By adhering to neither, the religious Republicans damage both the State and more importantly, Christianity. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth recommended the division of Church and State when He said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." The religious Republicans would be better served by emulating the gentle example whom they call Lord and Master.
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