OUR POSITION STATED by W. A. Colcord

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 12.

OUR POSITION STATED.

By W. A. Colcord

BY W. A. COLCORD.

We believe in true civil and religious liberty.

We believe that all should be protected in the exercise and enjoyment of their natural rights, both civil and religious, but that none should be constrained by force in matters of religion.

We are opposed, therefore, a union of church and state. By this we mean not simply the union of some particular church with some particular state, but a union of any religion, or church, or any combination of churches, with any state or form of civil government whatever.

Why we are opposed to this sort of union is not because we are opposed to either religion or civil government. We believe in religion, the religion of Jesus Christ. We believe in civil government, the powers which be, as ordained of God. Our reasons for opposing the union of church and state are:—

Because such union is detrimental to both.
Because the realm of each is entirely distinct from the realm of the other. Religion pertains to our relation to God and to another world; civil government pertains to civil matters only, and is confined strictly to this world.
Because Jesus Christ has forever separated them, in the words, “Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Religion does not belong to Cæsar, and therefore is not to be rendered to Cæsar. Religion pertains to God.
Because the religion recognized by law must of necessity be the religion of the majority, or those in power; but the religious convictions of the minority are as sacred as those of the majority.
Because to establish or give preference to a certain religion by law is to make those professing that religion the favored ones, and all others, of necessity, dissenters, heretics, and schismatics; whereas, there should be no tests or preferments by the state in religious matters, but all should stand upon an equality before the law.
Because each individual is accountable alone to God for his religious faith and practice, and therefore it is not within the province of the state to prescribe a faith to its citizens, or enforce upon them any religious custom or rite.
Because the state can govern only by force, but force is not a proper means for the propagation of religion. God desires willing worshipers and none others. Acceptable service to him must be voluntary.
Because the use of force in matters of religion can result only in persecution and the increase of hypocrisy.