July 6, 2014:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim Pastor

“Theocracy, Anyone?”

      “Theocracy — A form of government led by one established religion and guided by priests of that religion and their political followers.” (Definition by DCB)

      My friend, the great American church historian, Martin Marty, has often said that “American is the nation with the soul of a church.”  That’s been true from our earliest beginnings.  Different religious groups came to this country seeking freedom to practice their faith.  Unfortunately, when many of them got here, they chose to deny that freedom to those who disagreed with them.  In many ways, the American colonies became sectarian states with their own established religions.

      Our founding fathers in their great wisdom recognized that if we were to be United States, there could be no establishment of religion that would require all citizens to practice one religious faith.  There also would be no religious test for those seeking to hold public office.  That principle has only been somewhat honored in our history.  Public prayers, nearly always Christian, have been offered before public meetings, Bible readings and school prayers, nearly always from a Protestant Christian perspective, have been enforced on all students, religious institutions such as churches and synagogues have been exempt from property taxes, and nearly all our elected leaders have been expected to profess some Christian religious faith.  No atheist, agnostic, Jew, Muslim, or Buddhist, could expect to become President.  Lincoln, a skeptical Christian, was the only one who avoided this trap.

      Now, as we approach national mid-term elections and a looming presidential election, candidates are falling all over themselves to very publicly proclaim their Christian faith.  Conservative Churches, Protestant and Roman Catholic, are aiding and abetting this.  That would be bad enough, but politicians are also expected to support the political agenda of Conservative Christian Churches:  the most stringent limitations on abortion, no funding for family planning or birth control, the teaching of “creationism” alongside responsible science in public schools, etc. etc. etc.

      How easily these days does our nation seem willing to abandon the precious principles that have made possible freedom for all.  If this truly unAmerican thing continues we may well be on our way to the religious persecution of dissenters which impelled our ancestors to come here in the first place.  What an irony.

Love,
Dave