Religion & Spirituality - 24 December 2006

The only reference that Jesus made that directly relates to the separation of church and state issue is found in Matthew 22:15: "Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?' But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, 'You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.' They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, 'Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?' 'Caesar's,' they replied. Then he said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away."

What did Jesus mean by His statements? Did He mean that the church should stay out of the state's business? When Jesus stated, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's," was He admonishing the people of His Kingdom to stay out of Caesar's business? No! He simply recognized that Caesar and his government had a right to be in power and that God and His Kingdom, although separate, also had a right to be in power. This is analogous to Christians paying taxes to their government. The separation of church and state debate has nothing to do with the willingness or unwillingness of Christians to pay taxes to the government. It is about not allowing Christian Theists to display any expressions of their faith, Theistic writings, or symbols in the public square. Jesus' entire ministry was about doing God's will. Jesus' whole ministry was done in the public arena. He held up the truth of the Old Testament scriptures on many occasions. He certainly was not for expunging Christian Theistic expressions, writings, and symbols from the public arena!

The Pharisees were trying to exploit an apparent inconsistency between Jesus not being a respecter of persons and recognizing Caesar's kingship. This is not much different than the current assertion that Christian Theism should be expunged from the public arena based upon the "separation of church and state" argument because both are based upon hypocrisy and clever lies.

2006-12-24 09:00:25 · 8 answers · asked by ? 4

2006-12-24 08:57:52 · 16 answers · asked by otherguy 1

2006-12-24 08:57:40 · 14 answers · asked by JustMe♥. 3

I mean, for me it is kinda hard because we humans are the same as any other animal or species that harbor this planet, but we have just developed intelligence and have deeper thoughts and more diverse thinking. We are just something apart of the infinite universe, we are only a spec of dust in the ocean floor compare to just out own galaxy. How come you can believe that a God created us? do you really believe in a god or are you just forcing yourself to so when you die you be in a better place. Theres more i have to say but im going to leave it here.

what do you guys think?

2006-12-24 08:56:20 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-24 08:55:17 · 16 answers · asked by CINDYFROMCA 1

2006-12-24 08:51:43 · 15 answers · asked by Jaja 1

An American President said this.
Our founding fathers were deeply spiritual Christians, who understood nations will come and go but God remains, and we need his protection and leading.
These principles are as important as the secular ideals of liberty and freedom, which are actually based on God's principles.
We have in many ways turned from God - how can we expect his blessings if we continue in serving ourselves and moving away from him?

2006-12-24 08:50:39 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous

nude when you do not? I wonder why dont people question things they dont understand? If I wrote something about a stranger ive never met, is it true and did they exist?

2006-12-24 08:50:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

let's face it: if god were perfect he would not be represented by sinning men, a fallacious book full of historical inaccuracies, out right self contradicting statements, and so on. of the 2,500 or so gods out there, how can we know which is the true god? maybe none, maybe we haven't found "him/her/it/them/et al," yet...

and please don't simply contradict my claims. even biblical scholars admit inaccuracies in the bible. for one thing, jesus prophesied that the end of the world was going to happen before some people in his presence died: Mark 9:1 (Matthew 16:28; Luke 9:27) And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come to power."

didn't happen.

2006-12-24 08:49:19 · 17 answers · asked by Shawn M 3

I heared somewhere that God created the Earth six thousand years ago, and then I read they found human artifacts and bones from 11,000 years ago in one place, and parts of skeletons from 35,000 years ago in Europe. Come on people, we all need to get our story straight, okay? And how come scientists keep changing the names of their fossils?

2006-12-24 08:49:14 · 9 answers · asked by 2.71828182845904 5

Why do those who have no use for God, the Bible, church, and/or prayer constantly use then as weapons against those of us who do?

2006-12-24 08:48:36 · 22 answers · asked by Jenifer 3

i mean it is really confussing so plz help.

2006-12-24 08:48:35 · 17 answers · asked by GuNthEr'S_girl►♦♠ 2

I would like to take this opportunity to wish one and all a safe and happy one withno fights amongst families. Take care on theroads in whatever country you may live in.. Make the most of today with your loved ones becuase you never know what is around the country.Dont forget global warming and care for the environment by recycling and reusing whatever whatever resources left over fromChristmas such as wrapping paper. Let this be a national giftto the world.

2006-12-24 08:45:04 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-24 08:42:46 · 32 answers · asked by nodachix 1

The Bible can be difficult to read, although many excedingly great and priceless lessons are found in the Bible. Do you think very many people read or have read enough to grasp good comprehension of meanings? And is this why not many good Biblical questions are asked hear?

2006-12-24 08:42:21 · 10 answers · asked by chucky 3

Doesn't everyone go into war thinking they are going to win?
So then each side believes they are right? God is on their side, so how do we know which side God is really on?
Both or all sides believe in Genesis 6:13 before the flood of Noah's day God looked down and said the earth is full of violence because of them, so I am going to bring the earth to ruin because of them. So doesn't that mean he hates violence?
So if we are really on the side of God would we be fighting in the first place?

2006-12-24 08:41:22 · 23 answers · asked by Steven 6

If we taught a monkey sign language and then taught it the Bible, would we be able to save its soul? Would this be the first monkey to go to Heaven?

2006-12-24 08:40:50 · 8 answers · asked by Atlas 6

2006-12-24 08:34:44 · 10 answers · asked by Jewish American Princess 1

2006-12-24 08:32:16 · 19 answers · asked by sunflower 3

2006-12-24 08:30:40 · 10 answers · asked by shippochan 2

Who do you think would win?
Lets watch to find out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zt0Ecgxiak

2006-12-24 08:29:42 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-24 08:27:17 · 17 answers · asked by september_serenade 1

2006-12-24 08:27:01 · 14 answers · asked by Atlas 6

2006-12-24 08:26:22 · 15 answers · asked by ahmad_422003 1

For example the same page in the Bible states that not only should men not have sexual relations with other men but they should also not trim their beards.
There are so many commands in the Bible that people just do not live by. How is it justifiable to discriminate between these commands?

2006-12-24 08:25:26 · 39 answers · asked by xjazzbabyx 2

I asked a question about god and all i got was prostletizing and most people didn't even answer the question. I asked how they know god is good and to not use the bible to prove that because it's non-objective evidence. Also, not one person used the Old Testament, and one guy, a Muslim, tried to convince me that all the other "books" were corrupted by men, and only the Koran is the right book. If god knew this would happen, why bother with the other bibles? Still, another obviously bright person suggested I ask older people who have lived a long life what their beliefs are of god--I am an older person asking this question because with age, have come doubts based upon the sucky world. Religious wars, hatred within religions too.
Merry Christmas.

2006-12-24 08:24:52 · 7 answers · asked by flopwood_turley 1

Wouldn't some of the animals eat each other?
Where was all that fod stored for the animals?
Where did the flood waters ome from?
Why were babies killed if they are considerd pure?
Wouldn't Noah have to travel to different continents to get 2 of every animal?

2006-12-24 08:23:53 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous

He might be a great scientist but when it comes to religion he resorts to mockery and straw man arguments he is no better then a religious fundementalist in fact his crass arguments on the programme "The Root Of All Evil?" were demolished by fellow scientists on a BBC Radio 4 programme by the way they were athiests.

2006-12-24 08:22:57 · 22 answers · asked by jack lewis 6

2006-12-24 08:22:29 · 1 answers · asked by G3 6

Would like to know time and place of all sightings through Christmas with the wish that he will visit all children whatever their beleifs and faiths. Love and Peace to you all. Bless you all with good loving wishes.

2006-12-24 08:21:12 · 28 answers · asked by Whistler R 5