Church and State - A thesis

[Boknice275 1588]

*IC*

 

All throughout the lands a church courier carried a brown leathered bag full of copies of Acolyte Arthur Wienfield's new Thesis: "Church and State"

 

You eventually get a copy delivered to you. Intrigued, you decide to open the booklet and read.

 

 

 

The state has been defined by scholars and scribes of our times as the governing institution over an area or land, and the Church has been defined as a religious institution of man geared towards practices related to said deity. Both are two powerful entities in their own right, the state operates in the physical realm, the Church operates in the physical realm but it's influence expands to the spiritual realm. The notion may scholars present of an inseperable Church and State is rather dangerous in my eyes, and I shall outline why in this writing. It is my opinion that the Church takes precedence over the will of the state, as our LORD's Holy Light is to be embodied through the works of the Church. It is also my opinion that the state is simply a physical agent meant to ensure order is constant and the worship of our LORD is prevalent. However, it is dangerous when state takes precedence over the Church and bends that institution to it's will, it also defies the spirit of the LORD.

 

INSEVERABLE CHURCH AND STATE

 

 

In a traditional Kingdom you will have your criers, your citizens, your clergymen, and then you'll have your guards and your tax collectors and other agents of a specific cause. The state, as I mentioned before, operates in the physical realm and therefore requires treatments of the physical realm to keep it operable. One of those treatments which we shall hone into - fealty to the crown. This is an undisputable fact, if the crown does not have the support of it's subordinates, it will quickly fall to power. If a city does not have the loyalty of it's guards, then it cannot defend itself against impending attacks. This directly correlates with the relationship between Church and State. In a scenario where the Church and state are inseparable, the state will attempt to induce, if not outright exert it's influence into the Institution of our LORD to ensure certain teachings or principles that might view agents of the state, or the state itself in a bad light are not divulged amongst congregations. Whether this be through withholding funds from the Church, putting a moratorium on tithes to the Church, or sending armed footmen to the Church, the state will do what it must to ensure it's influence and power is unparalled,  that itself puts the Church at the behest of man, at feet of a mortal ruler, and that would be counter-productive to everything our LORD has teached us.

 

Swearing fealty to anyone other than our LORD, in my mind, is a sin of the highest nature. He, the LORD our God created you. He, the LORD our God, allowed the state to begin it's establishment. He, the LORD our God takes precedence and control over all men, mortal or otherwise, and to swear fealty to anyone other than him is a complete and utter denial and rejection of his mercy and his grace, which is why throughout my years on this plane I have refused to swear fealty to anyone who was not the LORD.

 

Then there enters a question of the Church's influence on the political process. This is another dangerous notion which must be examined and spoke out against by the children of our LORD. The main difference between Church and State is that the Church operates in this world, but is not OF this world. It's situated in a carnal realm, but has already been elevated to the spiritual realm. The state operates and is OF the carnal realm. When you mix one the filth and dirt it perverts everything. When you mix the a carnal entity and a spiritual entity it perverts the intended purposes of the Church and brings despair to our LORD. However, this does not mean that those who operate in the political realm are not to be subjected to the Church's influence. If they are subjected to the influence of the bride of the LORD, then that could entail the carnal entity of the state being directed in a way that is good for them and their spiritual well being. However, it is first and foremost the Church's duty to stay separate from ANY carnal entity not just the state. This is not to say that the Church should not win over souls for our LORD, that is one of it's duties, but it must not be bonded with a worldly entity lest the waters be mulled and filthy.

 

 

Perhaps a different alternative, one of mutualism between the Church and the State should be exhibited. The Church and the State both have their purposes in this world, it being incumbent upon the Church to exert the influence of the holy light through tithing, giving to the poor and needy and spreading the word of our LORD and it being incumbent upon the state to protect it's lands, and perhaps even the Church against all threats that may harm her, maintain order and sustain society. When separated, these entities benefit each other mutually. When merged, these entities will rip each other apart and make each other's duties very, very complicated and near impossible to attain. Let's all join together to ensure the word of our LORD is prevalent throughout society while the peace and the stability we enjoy is sustained for generations upon generations to come.

 

 

Amen.