The past couple of weeks in this space, we've been over what the relationship between America and Christianity really is. This week, let's think about what that relationship should be. When you see the essence of government and the essence of Christianity, it becomes crystal-clear that there is no way the United States' government could ever be truly Christian; and Christians should shrink in disgust from the notion that the United States ought to be a Christian nation.
Take a minute and think back to the essential Christian doctrine. It can be summed up very succinctly: Jesus died for us so we can live for others. Recall Christ's commands: Do to others as you'd have them do to you; love your enemies. Similarly, he taught that the greatest commandments are these: Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. At its' heart, Jesus' moral teaching is by and large a reiteration of "love everybody."
Upon reflection, it becomes clear that Christians are commanded and expected to live their lives in love and service to all other people. Of particular note is that Christians should not use force even against their enemies, following the example of Jesus, who had legions of angels at his command and yet permitted himself to be crucified. They should never use force or threats against those who are not Christian; consider the examples of the Catholic Church's Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials.
On the other hand, there is exactly one organization that is allowed to threaten you daily and get away with it. It's the only organization for which exists circumstances where it is allowed to take away your money, your property, your home, your family and even your very life. We call it the government. At its' heart, the government exists to use force to make sure everybody obeys its edicts.
Therefore, when Christianity is enshrined legally, behind it resides the full weight of the law: the threat of force. When Christianity is put into the government, when any laws are passed with only a Christian purpose, the government is threatening each and every citizen with retribution if he does not obey it. This is not just an undesirable situation, it is one which should inspire horror in Christians.
You see, we Christians are called to love and serve others. Christ died so that we can live for others; we are therefore to live our daily lives for Christ. This is key: Christian principles are principles that operate on an individual level. They can exist in aggregate, but they cannot be imposed on a large scale; the kingdom of Heaven, which is the ultimate goal of Christians, will not be found in any country or city, but is instead the cumulative result of a grassroots transformation of society as a whole.
The words "Christian nation" are oxymoronic: A nation that is Christian would not dare impose its Christianity on anyone, and so make no laws to enforce its own Christianity; it would love its enemies and do good to them; it would not persecute criminals, but would instead greet them with open arms. In short, such a nation would either quickly cease to exist or it would immediately transform itself into a nation that is not Christian at all. Any nation that claims to be Christian in its government is lying through its teeth; any Christian who thinks that the government should make Christian laws should reconsider his position and his ultimate goal: the kingdom of heaven here and now.
Write to Neal atnecoleman@bsu.edu
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