><>...Good afternoon John...><>
Thank you for your well wishes. I have in fact been blessed with a great day. I hope you have been too.
I have no problem at all with Rom 13 as it relates to the Powers that be. Even in the days od Paul Govt. was set up in order to protect the people from lawlessness and chaos. Criminal behavior needs be constrained. And govts. are bound to keep order within a society, and this of course is good.
But Govts. were not set up, nor are they given power by God, to either restrict, modify,or command,any person or groups to practice or cease from practicing, or make laws against, any particular religion. Only God can judge this aspect of govt. No civil govt. is in a position to prohibit, restrict, command or demand, make laws against, or infringe upon the rights of any citizen to decide what religion they will practice. If a religious organization commits illegal acts against it's members or society at large, then the govt. is boundf to see to it, in accordance with civil or criminal law, that the one harmed is properly addressed. But there should be no general blanket use of the govts. power to control, or monitor, any organized religion.
Some, even today, go so far as saying that our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ, was a cult leader. How long before Christianity in the good old USA, is monitored by govt. officials for purposes of controlling certain practices within, such as Baptizing, Home Bible studies ( there have already been some cases where some home Bible studies were considered by some neighbors to be "suspicious gatherings"<i/>) the receiving of communion in churches, the singing of certain hymns, and of course the collecting of tithes. Etc, Etc, Etc...!
Who defines cult? And what does the definition include?
Joining a cult is as basic a right and choice, as to joining a Christian Church, or a non Christian Church.
According to Mr.Webster,Chrisianity is a cult. And by virtue of definition cult it is not to be feared in any way. There are no specific dangerous propensities unique to cult members. And when measured to the rest of society at large, there is certainly far less criminal activity to be warned of.
Now,having said all that, I want to go on record as to saying that if a loved one of mine were to go off and join an organization that goes so far as doing their thinking for them (brainwashing ) and many other activites that do in fact strip an individual of indivuality...I would by all means do all in my power to encourage him/her to get the heck out!
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Remember that Moses foretold of the day when God's people would no longer be content with the direct rule of God? And remember Moses warning came to pass when the people of God demanded a human King. And God saw their request as a rejection of Himself, and as an expression of their eagerness to compromise their role as God's people.
Until that time The govt. of God's people had been a theocracy, God Himself had ruled as King, ruling through direct guidance,special revelation, his word, and chosen anointed leaders.
When the people of God requested a monarchial govt.the kings took office by reason of hereditary succession rather than by God's direct choice. This resulted in the reign of evil and immoral kings and thereby impaired God's Lordship over His people.
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Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion [govern mental neutrality toward religion], or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof [religious freedom]." Cults are considered religious.
Monitioring them is usually for purposes of controlling.... govts. can and do establish policy without making laws.
Well John, you asked for my thoughts.
And in closing I would add this.
God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her...
America!! I would not want to live in any other country in the world!! No How, No Way!! I love and respect our system of Govt. And the purpose for which it was established. God bless the framers of our very special Constitution. And I continue to pray that God will bless the people in power. And I continue to pray that God will bring some of them to their knees so that they will serve Him, thereby serving America in the way that God sees fit!
Have a most blessed John, you and yours.
Sincerely,
Shalom...><>
PS... in the case of conflict...Acts 5:29 |
