The man who occupies the Oval Office has taken authority over many of America's churches. On one hand, he has allowed religious groups that receive public money to discriminate against homosexuals in their hiring practices. On the other, he has said that all these groups must provide their workers free birth control insurance coverage. This has sparked criticism from the somewhat loyal opposition who would like to take the president's job come November. Raising charges from the president being engaged in a war on religion to having fought against religion to practicing phony theology, candidates may be appealing to public sentiment, but the problem is much deeper.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution decrees a "hands off" policy toward churches saying: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This means that the government cannot interfere with the establishment or free exercise of religion. Since no laws can be made regarding the free exercise of religion, how then can the White House exact a policy that either allows discrimination based on religious belief or mandates that churches must go against their religious beliefs?

Somewhere along the line churches, ministries of churches, and independent ministries got the bright idea that they could raise more money and receive more money, even from the government, if they surrendered their independence from the government by incorporating as a 501C3 not for profit organization. Instead of being a church, they would be a corporation under the laws of the nation, under the direct control of the federal government. In other words, they stepped out of the freedom provided by the Constitution and into bondage to the government. They say it is for tax purposes, but churches are not taxed and donations to churches are tax deductible.

Given the heresy of dominion theology--that religion would become the government and rule over the nations so that Christ can return--it would seem only a natural progression to be part of the government, use the government's money, and expect the government to do what many churches are no longer willing to do--deal with the poor, the orphans and the widows. Now, they scream the loudest when the government flexes its legal control. Yeshua (Jesus) said in Mark 12:17, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to YHVH (God) the things that are YHVH's." The things of YHVH's are found in the holy scriptures. When churches give up control of them to Caesar, they are controlled by Caesar.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson