RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
We need to be on guard that the church does not try to use the powers of government to support its causes and that the state does not interfere with the practice of religion in the churches. Maintaining this separation is not easy, but it is essential if we are to have religious liberty. Opposed to Civil Religion Seventh, we also condemn civil religion. To believe in religious liberty does not mean that we identify religion and country. Civil religion is blending the American way with the Christian religion. Patriotism and religion are linked together in an emotional amalgamation. I am patriotic, and I love my country. But my country and my religion are not the same. Sometimes political and religious leaders have so blended the two that they do not recognize the hypocrisy and denial of genuine religion this kind of wedding produces. Some want to state that our country was founded as a Christian nation. But we have never been and are not now a Christian nation. To assert that only Christians can serve in our government would be a violation of article VI of our Constitution, which states, “No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” Norman Cavender said he almost fell out of his seat when he read noted Baptist evangelist Tim LaHaye’s rationale against the principle of separation of church and state. The powers of government need to be used, he argued, because “revival is not possible without legislative reform.”22 What? We cannot have revival without the support of government? Christianity began in revival that was not state-funded and has continued through the ages, often in spite of the state, not because of its support. Baptists led the battle to be free from such powers. Let’s not fall under its binding hold. Bill Moyers concluded his program on God and Politics in fall 1984 by observing, “Making biblical doctrines a test of democratic opinion is heresy.” 23 Priesthood of Believers and Local Church Autonomy Eighth, we affirm the priesthood of believers and the autonomy of the local church. These two beliefs are basic to our belief in religious freedom. As Baptists, we have learned to trust each other because we are priests to each other and priests for one another.
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