December 21, 2023 — The “Freedom” of Religion

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:15 – 22

In this day and age does the state recognize the work of the church? In this day and age does the State influence the work of the church? In his writing “The Faith of the Christian Church”, Gustav Aulen writes: “There is nothing about which the church is more sensitive than the attempt of the state to give directives for and establish limits to the preaching of G-d’s word.” As a preacher I cannot agree more with his statement. I am worried today that the State may be trying to get involved in many of the teachings of the church that may go against “popular opinion”. I do not want the State coming in to the congregations of Pennsylvania and forcing the issue. As it stands right now, I can make a decision if I will or won’t perform a wedding – and the reasons can be manifold. The date may not be open in our schedule. I may finish counseling with the couple and decide that my conscience is not in favor of the wedding, and that decision I make stands for all couples. Or, I may feel I just do not have the time in my schedule. It seems clear to me that the State, and the court of public opinion, has opened the way for a couple to be refused by the church to perform their wedding, on a whole host of reasons, and the couple can claim we are bigoted and sue us for the “right” to have their wedding performed in our congregations. And the wedding is just one of the areas where culture may be opposed to church practice and opinions. Funerals, birthday parties, social events – they all are under the limitations of the availability of the pastor and the church.

You think I am crazy – or even worse, intolerant or a bigot? Do I not have a right to have a bound conscience for or against anything? How far away are we from the State interfering with the freedom of religion?

Pastor Dave