RELIGIOUS LIBERTY by J. G. Matteson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 45.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

By J. G. Matteson

BY ELDER J. G. MATTESON.

THE commonly accepted signification of religious liberty is liberty to profess and follow any kind of religion. Religious liberty cannot be united with a State church nor with a papal State. Yet religious liberty has been introduced in most countries where there is a State church. This liberty is, however, very limited. In Norway, for instance, the law forbids dissenters to baptize persons who were born while the parents belonged to the State church (even if both parents now have left the State church), before they are eighteen years old. If our Saviour should come to this "Christian" country and venture to baptize persons under eighteen years of age, he would have to pay fines or go into prison.

In Sweden every parish has its church council invested with power to forbid preaching. If anyone preaches a doctrine which is considered injurious to the State church, this council of three can forbid his preaching, provided two of them agree to do so. The parish priest is always one of the council. If the offender does not stop, he may be fined or put into prison. In Denmark, as well as in the other Scandinavian countries, all children are compelled to attend the public schools. Thus children of dissenters are compelled to learn the religion of the State church, if the parents are unable to keep a private teacher. Besides this every citizen must pay taxes to sustain the State church, and this tax is collected in common with other public taxes. He must also bring an offering three times a year (at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide) to the priest. If this is neglected, the police will seize the property of the offender and sell it to pay the offering (gift), even if it amounts to only twenty-five cents. This has been done many times.

In this and many other different ways the State churches are favored and the dissenters oppressed. Religious liberty, which treats all denominations, as well as non-professors, alike, is not found in any country. In every government some are favored more than others. Switzerland and the United States of America are looked up to as patterns of free governments, but in both of these countries Jews and other Sabbath keepers are placed in an unfavorable position by the law on account of their religion. Besides this, church property in America (in some States) is favored by being exempted from taxation, while infidels have to pay taxes on all property used exclusively for meetings and work which is calculated to spread a knowledge of their ideas and opinions.

Freedom and equality are names which sound very pretty. But the blessings that follow from them are not found to a very great extent in this world. Yet we are thankful to God for the liberty we enjoy. Although many of our brethren have suffered much in this country, yet we are grateful that the tyranny has not yet gone so far as it exists in Russia.

Jesus was the greatest friend of liberty who has ever lived on the earth. He founded a religion that teaches and practices religious liberty. He said, "And if any man hear my

words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." John 12:47. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17. The Son of God did not come to judge or condemn, but to save men. But antichrist and all his followers usurp the power to judge and condemn their fellow-men.

Do you say, "Yes, is not this terrible?"—To be sure, it is very wicked. But be now careful, dear reader, that you do not the same. Do you say: "Far from it. I hate this persecuting spirit among the Catholics. I am an Adventist [or, perhaps, Methodist or Baptist]. I am deeply interested in religious liberty." Very well, I am glad to hear that. But be careful that you do not judge others, because as soon as you do that, you do not follow the great Pattern of true religious liberty, Christ. He said, "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." Luke 6:37.

And again our Saviour says: "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest; for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:35, 36. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Verse 31.

Here we have the Golden Rule, which teaches true and full religious liberty. When this blessed principle becomes the rule of our hearts and lives, we will not desire to rule the opinions and conduct of others. Consider how forbearing, long-suffering, and kind Jesus has been to us. He has not treated us as we deserved. He has been no respecter of persons. He is just as kind to the poor and despised as to the rich. He is the defender of widows and orphans, the friend of the poor, the light of the blind, and the strength of the weak.

Jesus alone can give us the true liberty. "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:34, 36. Let us give our hearts to Jesus. Let us attend his school every day, and learn meekness and lowliness of heart. Then we get true liberty for time and eternity.