Civil and Religious Freedom by T. Godfrey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1912

Civil and Religious Freedom

By T. Godfrey

T. GODFREY

"THEREFORE all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matt. 7:12.

The above text contains the fundamental principle of both civil and religious freedom, and if this sacred principle had been duly regarded, there could never have been any religious persecution. All wars and persecutions come as a result of lusts. James 4:1-4. Lust is covetousness. Rom. 7:7. Covetousness is idolatry. Col. 3:5. Covetousness and idolatry originated with the father of lies; therefore all war, strife, and persecutions are the direct result of sin. Civil or religious freedom does not consist in lawlessness. Obedience to civil statutes is positive evidence of our loyalty to civil government, and guarantees to us civil freedom. Obedience to the divine law is the highest evidence of our loyalty to God, and guarantees to us religious freedom, or spiritual freedom. But civil and divine law must be kept separate; for any civil enactment that conflicts with the right of conscience is wrong, and out of harmony with God's original plan in creation and in civil government.

It is evident that all men love freedom, but no man should demand more freedom for himself than for his neighbor. Says the Word of God, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." It is not the prerogative of civil government to enact religious laws; for it is impossible for a civil government to enact religious law that would give to all its subjects equal liberty of conscience, because of the different opinions, beliefs, and forms of worship. But civil governments may make a law granting to all its subjects the right of conscience, or the right to worship God according to the dictates of their individual consciences, and protect them in their rights. But this is the limit of civil legislation upon matters of religion. Said Madison, one of the framers of our national Constitution: "There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermeddle with religion. Its least interference with it would be a most flagrant usurpation." Said Jesus, "Render therefore unto Caesar [civil government] the things

which be Caesar's [civil government's], and unto God the things which be God's." Luke 20:25.

The golden rule is the golden thread that has run through the law and the gospel from the fall of man down to the present generation. "It is the law and the prophets," or the teaching of the law and the prophets. It is a chord of love, emanating from the great fountain of love. "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:7, 8.