“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” US Constitution.
This chapter is a type of endtime events. The compulsory worship of the image in this chapter illustrates the coming crisis when the faithful will be compelled to worship the image of the beast - Revelation 13. See "the Beast & "The Mark of the Beast".
“All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1Cor 10:11
“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Rev 13:15
DANIEL CONTAINS TWO CLEAR EXAMPLES OF STATE ENFORCED RELIGIOUS LAWS:
1. In Daniel 3 we learn that it is wrong for the state to force people to worship a particular God.
2. In Daniel 6 we learn that it is wrong for the state to stop people worshiping a particular God.
THE TIMING OF THE EVENTS RECORDED IN THIS CHAPTER
The events of this chapter ocurred after those of chapter 2. cf. Dan 3:12, 30 with Dan 2:49. but before those events recorded in Daniel 4, compare Dan 3:28-29 with Dan 4:34-37. The exact date of the events in this chapter is not known. No secular records yet unearthed records these events. A court Almanac (570-569B.C.) excludes those years as possible dates as it lists all high officials but neither Daniel nor his friends are mentioned. Since the events described in Daniel 3 resulted in Daniel’s three friends being promoted, and since it is unlikely that they were soon removed from office, some time must have elapsed between the events of Daniel 3 and the writing of the Almanac.
It seems likely that the dedication of the image occurred in 594/593B.C., a year which coincides with the fourth year of King Zedekiah of Judah. According to Jeremiah 51:59, Zedekiah made a journey to Babylon in his fourth year, probably to attend the dedication of the image. If so, king Zedekiah apparently bowed before it.
DANIEL 3
3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height [was] threescore cubits, [and] the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3:3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
3:5 [That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down [and] worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
3:9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, [that] he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in [his] rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, [Is it] true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter.
3:17 If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.
False worship is compelled and only three remain faithful.
3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [and] to cast [them] into the burning fiery furnace.
3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, [and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, [and] spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come [hither]. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
3:28 [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Would you as a Bible believing Christian rather die than "bow" before an image of worship? This test occurred in ancient Babylon and the whole world will soon face this test... in bowing to a spiritual image of worship to the first beast of Revelation 13 - see the Mark of the Beast.
OVERVIEW
False worship is compelled and only three remain faithful.
verses 1-3 False worship compelled.
In Daniel 2 the king of Babylon had dreamed of a metallic image whose golden head represented his kingdom. However, not satisfied that other kingdoms would succeed his, he built an image all of gold and commanded all in his kingdom to worship the image. The Hebrew youth consented to attend the dedication knowing what would happen.
verses 4-7 Music and worship.
A worship service involving music was associated with the image worship.
verses 8-12 Accusations against the people of God.
Only three Hebrews remained faithful and refused to sin by bowing before the image. These were reported to the king, probably by Babylonians jealous that the Hebrews had been promoted (Daniel 2:49).
verses 13-19 Death Decree
Furious at their refusal the king condemned them to death. The Hebrews knew they would be delivered from the kingʼs power (verse 17). However they did not know if it would be by a miracle or by death!
verses 21-24 Deliverance
Their executioners perished and Jesus delivered the three Hebrews.
verse 26 A story of their experience
The meanings of their Hebrew names give the story of their deliverance.
Hannah - "Yaweh is gracious"
Mishael - "Who belongs to God"
Azariah - "Yaweh helps.
In other words Yaweh helps and is gracious to who belongs to God.
They literally experienced the following: Job 23:10 “But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
verse 29 The relationship of Church & State
Though well-meaning, the king over- stepped his jurisdiction by passing laws concerning religion. The civil power is to attend to matters civil, not religious. Whether one is religious or not is between them and God. Forced worship is worthless. God told His people to “serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” Jer 25:11. In delivering the three Hebrews who violated the kingʼs command to worship the image, God showed that the command to serve the king did not include religious demands.
What we can learn
Daniel contains 2 examples of State-enforced religious law: Daniel 3 - False worship enforced. Daniel 6 - True worship forbidden.
Both are types (illustrations) of soon coming events. False worship will be compelled and true worship forbidden on a global scale. All will be commanded to take the mark of the beast and to worship the “image of the beast.” Only a minority will remain faithful and keep Godʼs commandments. See Rev 13 and Rev 14:8-12.
Music and the image of the beast
Music played a large part in the ʻworship serviceʼ on the plains of Dura. As that event typifies the end-time worship of the image of the beast we may know that music will play a large part in deceiving the majority to worship the image of the beast. Already certain music styles are creating a bond
of unity between church denominations. This is helping them to work together in influencing the civil government to enforce those religious laws they hold in common.
United States Constitution Amendment 1:
"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."
3.4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
3:5 [That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Overcoming appetite before overcoming the image - false worship. The three Hebrew youths, who overcame the earlier test on appetite (See Daniel 1), remained faithful when forced to worship the image. (Apparently Daniel was elsewhere). In the last days only those who give glory to God and overcome appetite (1st angelʼs message Revelation 14:7; 1Cor 10:31) will remain faithful when forced to worship the image of the beast (3rd angel's message: Revelation 14:9-12).
Daniel 3
1. Literal Babylon.
2. Literal Image. 3. 60 x 6 cubits in size.
4. Literal local event.
5. False worship enforced by a Death decree.
6. Three worthies condemned.
Commandment keepers condemned but delivered by God.
Revelation 13
1. Spiritual Babylon.
2. Spiritual “image” of the Beast.
3. Numbered 666.
4. Spiritual global event
5. False worship enforced by a Death decree.
6. Three angels - symbolizing Godʼs end time faithful, condemned. Commandment keepers condemned but delivered by God.
APPENDIX The Relationship between Church & State
Religion
The duty we owe our Creator and the manner of discharging it.
Liberty
A state of being exempt from the domination of others, or from restricting circumstances. The free choice to decide oneʼs OWN conduct voluntarily.
Religious liberty
Freedom from the domination of others or from restricting circumstances allowing man to voluntarily decide his OWN conduct in regard to his duty to God and the manner of discharging it.
Individuality in religion
“The right of private judgment in religion, and the principle of individual responsibility to God, are two essentials of the Protestant Reformation. Without these there never would - there never could - have been any Reformation. But these are not only essentials of the Protestant Reformation; they are essentials of Christianity itself. “ A.T. Jones, Lessons from the Reformation, p20.
Religious Liberty is a God-given right
For love to have any value it must be free. God Himself gives us liberty to obey Him or not. We are free to choose. No man, government, or church has any right to take this God-given liberty from us
.
No man has any right to control religion
The king of Babylon condemned to death three Hebrew youths who refused to worship as the king commanded. By delivering the three Hebrews (Dan 3) God showed that no king or government has the right to command FALSE worship.
No law has any right to control religion
Daniel was condemned to death for continuing to worship contrary to a law of the Medes and Persians. By delivering Daniel from the lionʼs den (Daniel 6) God showed that no law has the right to prohibit TRUE worship. Note: The difference between Babylon and Medo-Persia was that once the king of Medo-Persia had made a law it could not be changed, even by the king himself. Medo-Persia was thus a government of law, where law was supreme.
No Church / State union has any right to control religion The worst evil in all history was made possible by the union of church & State. The Jewish leaders sought State power
to get Christ crucified. By condemning the religious leaders of Israel for uniting with the State to bring about Christʼs crucifixion God showed that no ʻchurchʼ has a right to form an alliance with the State.
No church has any right to control religion The spread of Christianity was in obedience to the Word of God, but in violation of the command of the ʻchurchʼ majority (the Jewish priesthood etc.) God sanctioned such violation (Acts 5:17-19; 28-42).
If men had the right to control worship Protestantism would never exist The Reformation from Popery was also in violation of Papal authority. The party in the wrong clearly identify themselves as evil by persecuting and killing those they could not control.
Spiritual fornication
The church is to rely on Christ to provide all she needs. The church which unites with the political powers in order to enforce her doctrines is called a Whore in Scripture. See Revelation 17. The church is to draw by love, not compel by force or compulsion.
God grants religious liberty to all
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Rom 14:5.
No right to command right worship or prohibit wrong worship By refusing political power Christ showed that His work cannot be accomplished
Uniting Church and State has resulted in some of the worst atrocities in history. It was only by the union of Church & State that Christ was crucified and it was by the union of church and state that millions were killed in the Dark Ages. Though well-intentioned, those attempting to enforce Christianity politically are preparing the way for a return to the Dark Ages of religious persecution by the State. Worship must be free. The churchʼs mission cannot be accomplished through political means. If sharing the love of Christ is insufficient to draw men to righteousness, politically legislated compulsion will never force them into righteousness.
The civil State is to make civil laws and allow men to worship as they want. Righteousness is by faith and force does not produce faith. The civil State exists to force men to be civil who do not freely choose to be moral.
The end of the Theocracy
Ancient Israel were one people governed by God in a Theocracy (God-governed). That Theocracy ceased at the time Israel went into captivity in Babylon about 600BC. (Eze 21:26-27).
Spiritual Israel, the true church, now live in the various nations of the world and God in His wisdom has ordained that his people are to obey the civil laws of the country in which they live, so long as those laws do not require the violation of Godʼs moral law of Ten Commandments.
“The powers that be are ordained of God.” Rom 13:1. Christʼs kingdom is not of this world and will not be until He returns.
Uniting Church and State has resulted in some of the worst atrocities in history It was only by the union of Church & State that Christ was crucified and millions were killed in the Dark Ages. Though well-inten- tioned, those attempting to enforce Christi- anity politically are preparing the way for a return of religious persecution.
Because of sin
Had sin never happened there would only have been one jurisdiction, Godʼs, but now there are two, God & the civil power. The civil power exists to enforce civility
on all who do not freely choose to obey Godʼs moral law. The jurisdictions are quite separate:
Distinct laws
The laws between God and man, and man and man, were placed on separate tables of stone in the Ten Commandments. Civil laws are based on the policeable laws on the second table of stone. The Civil power has no right to enforce any of the laws on the first table of stone which describes man's relationship to God.
The State may enforce civility but NOT morality Though an immoral man may hate everyone, lust after every woman and covet everything, the State has no right to punish him. If this manʼs hatred leads to violence, if his lust is seen in rape, if his coveting is seen in stealing, then the State may and will punish him. Yet bear in mind that the State does not punish him for his immorality, only for his INCIVILITY. The state operates in the realm of CIVIL law; it must not and cannot operate in the realm of moral law. Violation of civil law is CRIME. Violation of moral law is SIN.
Civil laws are NOT Godʼs moral laws
Civil law
1. Is a Crime if broken
2. Is Temporal
3. Is Outward 4. 1Sam 16:7 5. Finite punishment
6. Is Fallible
7. Works by Force
Moral law
1. Is a Sin if broken
2. Is Eternal 3. Is Inward 4. 1Sam 16:7 5. Eternal punishment
6. Is Infallible
7. Works by Love
The Civil power
“The civil society or State is an assemblage of men subject to a common authority, to common laws, - that is to say, a society whose members may be constrained by public force to respect their reciprocal rights. Two necessary elements enter into the idea of the State: laws and force.”
Janet, Elements of Morals, p. 143.
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God is an assemblage of people subject to God by their own FREE WILL - that is to say, a society whose members are constrained by their own conscience to respect Godʼs law. Only one element enters into the idea of Godʼs Kingdom: Love. Godʼs law is a definition of love. Romans 13:10
Theocracy
When Israel was under God He was their moral and civil leader. All were compelled to be civil but not all chose to be moral.
No nation on earth is a Christian nation. No nation on earth has been founded as a Christian nation. Christ said, “My kingdom in NOT OF THIS WORLD.” John 18:36.
“...the government of the United States of America is NOT in any sense founded on the Christian religion.” 1796 treaty with Tripoli, article II, signed by George Washington.
When possible Christians should VOTE ON ISSUES but not for political parties. Christians should NOT vote for, form, or support political parties.
When the Theocracy ended and Israel was made subject to foreign powers Israel was to obey the civil laws of their conquerors, except when those civil laws were in conflict with Godʼs moral law of Ten Commandments.
The impossibility of men enforcing moral laws The State enforces civil laws based on the commandments of God and common to many religions. The State does not enforce any of the ten commandments. If it did it would have to punish with death the man who hates, lusts or covets for the commandments of God reach the thoughts and intents of the heart as well as the actions. And what if God forgave the sinner? How would the State know Godʼs decision?
The recognition of religious liberty in human law. The US Constitution.
Because the founders of the USA realised the truth that the State has no place in matters moral or religious the First Amendment to the US Constitution reads:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
George Washington, one of the founders of the USA, said: “Every man who conducts himself as a good citizen, is accountable to God for his religious faith, and should be protected in worshiping God according to the dictates of his own conscience.”
George Washington also said: “...the government of the United States of America is NOT in any sense founded on the Christian religion.” 1796 treaty with Tripoli, article II, signed by George Washington.
No nation on earth is a Christian nation. No nation on earth has been founded as a Christian nation. Christ said, “My kingdom in NOT OF THIS WORLD.” John 18:36.
Separate jurisdictions
Jesus taught that State and Religion are separate entities with separate jurisdictions “...Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesarʼs; and unto God the things that are Godʼs.” Matt. 22:21.
To unite them would destroy the distinctness Christ maintained.
Force cannot make a man moral
If a man is to be moral he must be so by his own free will.
A Papal image
That State which presumes to enforce religious laws becomes an image of the Papal system in the Dark Ages and religious persecution inevitably follows.
What about Joseph and Daniel in the government of Egypt & Babylon? They served as faithful SLAVES according to Godʼs command (Jer 25:11) They did not stand for election.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS VOTE OR GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS? We must remember that we cannot achieve Christʼs desires through political means.
When possible Christians should VOTE ON ISSUES but not for political parties:
“The advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influence by precept and example by voice and pen and VOTE in favor of prohibitionand total abstinence...I dressed and found I was to speak to the point of whether our people should VOTE FOR PROHIBITION. I told them ʻYes,ʼ and spoke twenty minutes.” Letter 6, 1881. E.G. White, Temper- ance, p253, 255.
Christians should NOT vote for, form, or support political parties because:
1. All parties betray trusts. There is no assurance oneʼs vote will count for righteousness even if oneʼs party wins.
2. One would be held accountable for the actions of the party one voted for. When faced with parties or candidates that are pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-war, etc. how could a Christian vote to put such in power?
Can you vote for a political party that is against abortion while at the same time it is against right in another area? Donʼt think that you are only doing right when you are actually doing worng.
All governments will kill to defend themselves. Some will even kill in a pre-emptive fashion like the Bush government. How can Christians be party to this?
All governments are of the world and only of the world. What part do Christians have in putting in power things that are “of the world”?
Will you cast your vote in favour of the least evil candidate? Will you put in power evil candidates that they might ʻbenefitʼ the country.
Is it according to your principles to vote into power an evil man?
Do you think that we can improve society through political means?
Do you agreee with the union of church and state? What does Christianity mixed with politics produce?
3. The people would have made Christ king but He chose not to rule politically. Jesus never used and even avoided politics as it could not further His work. His followers should do likewise. Christ said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36). Therefore any party running for or gaining worldly political power is not of Christ. Christians are citizens of Christʼs kingdom (Eph 2:19). Political parties are entirely of this world and Christians are not of this world. Politics is entirely of the world and works by force not love.
4. Moses could have become Pharaoh and used political power. This was not Godʼs will for him. Moses efforts to free Godʼs people through human efforts failed. God alone brought liberty.
Joseph was a slave not a politician. Daniel was a servant (Jer 25:11) not a politician. Mordecai was a civil servant not a politician. None of these cases support Christians running for political power.
5. Christ did not teach His church to act politically. We are “pilgrims” and “strangers;” ambassadors (2Cor 5:20) of another government with our citizenship in heaven (Heb 11:9, 13; Phil 3:20).
6. Rom 13:1 is a general statement as to civil governments, which are better than anarchy. We are told to obey & pray for civil rulers, but nowhere are we told to elect, appoint, install, or do politics for them.
7. “Love your enemies.” (Matt 5:44). “No one can serve two masters.” (Matt 6:24). To be in any worldy government and fight the nations enemies is to reject the principles of Christʼs Kingdom. No man can be a politician and a Christian. (Note: Daniel and Jospeh were not politicians but servant slaves).
8. Christians cannot unite with political parties “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2Cor 6:14.
Any claiming to be Christians while running for political power show themselves to be working contrary to Christian principle. The Stateʼs place is to create a civil environment where everyoneʼs ideas of truth can be shared and all be free to choose.
Prophecy predicts a repetition of enforced worship when Bible believing Christians will have to contend with similar circumstances as happened on the plains of Dura in Daniel chapter 3. Worship will again be enforced by the State and a death decree pronounced on those who like Daniel's friends refuse to follow State Law. See Revelation 13. However, like Chapter 3, deliverance will occur for God's people by the Son of God.
SUNDAY WORSHIP LEGISLATION
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE STATE ENFORCING SUNDAY AS A DAY OF REST FOR THE GOOD OF SOCIETY AND THE PROMOTION OF HOLINESS?
a) Enforced Sunday rest harms society
Compulsory idleness is not for the good of society. Idleness fosters sin and crime (Eze 16:49). Those who observe the true Sabbath use the day for worship which protects it from becoming a day of idleness. Sunday laws however can only make people idle, not worshippers.
(b) Enforced Sunday rest makes people hypocrites not Christians Enforced Sunday rest will not make unbelievers holy. Will Sunday advocates only observe it if compelled to by man-made law? No. Then why enforce it?
(c) Enforced Sunday rest would result in a loss of pay and productivity Enforced Sunday rest means less produc- tivity and less pay.
(d) Enforced Sunday rest cannot be defended as a necessity for public health
Sunday laws for physical rest are based on the assumption that man works too much. Such a thing has never been true. Evenings and the present weekend allow rest if it is needed while allowing those to work who want to. The reasons for the Biblical 7th day Sabbath is not physical but spiritual. The Lordʼs Sabbath is not a day to catch up on physical rest due to overworking on the six labouring days
(e) Enforced Sunday rest does not strengthen families It penalizes families who want to work on this day as God did. It penalizes those who rest on another day. It increases idleness.
(f) Enforced Sunday rest is not biblical.
The Bible commands the observance of “the seventh day” but never the first (Exo 20:8-11). Some mistakenly claim that just one day in seven is meant but then Lo! the “one day in seven” becomes “the first day”!
(g) Sunday is not the Lordʼs day. The Bible must be allowed to interpret itself. The Bible only ever calls the seventh day the Lordʼs day. (Mark 2:27-28; Exo 20:8-11; Isa 58:13).
(h) Enforced Sunday rest, to protect those who worship on Sunday from disturbance, is discrimination. Would there be Saturday & Friday rest laws to protect those who worship then? Do Sunday advocates need laws forbidding shopping and sports on Sunday in order
to protect themselves from shopping and sports when they should be at church! Christians rejoice in religious liberty for all.
(i) Sunday laws advocates prepare the way for their own religious enslavement. Cannot the Sunday law advocate see that their religious freedom depends on absolute religious freedom for all. Those who support religious legislation by majority vote prepare the way for some other religion gaining the majority and enforcing its ideas upon them.
(j) Exemptions from Sunday laws for certain groups are unacceptable The State does not have the right to legislate anything religious therefore it has no right to exempt anyone. If a law is right it would be wrong to exempt anyone. Some would profess to belong to exempt groups for advantage.
(k) Sunday laws are discrimination.
Forcing Sunday rest on those who already rest on another day is tyrannical.
(l) Sunday laws are robbery by the State.
God gave mankind six days to labour (Exo 31:15) and the liberty to choose. The State has no right to take any day away.
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." George Orwell
(m) Sunday laws swap monopolies
Sunday laws are claimed to release men from grinding monopolies but they simply replace them with a religious monopoly and who would release us from that!?
(n) Sunday laws are entirely religious
Sunday legislation cannot be justified on health, family, societal or Biblical reasons. Those who wish to enforce Sunday rest are doing so for religious reasons. The State has no right to enforce the religion of any group. State laws are civil not moral. As the Sabbath is a moral law the State has no place enforcing it.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The State should not fund, promote, or make compulsary any religious education because:
(a) It would be discrimination
All religious groups cannot be given equal oppourtunity. By keeping religion out of public schools we avoid discrimination.
(b) It results in the State intruding where it has no rights *The State has NO right to control freedom of speech or religion. To accept that the State has the right to control who teaches religion, and what religion is or is not taught, is to prepare the way for oneʼs own religious enslavement.
(c) Prepares the way for evil
To allow the State teach religion is to allow the State to teach a religion one disagrees with.
(d) It leads to tyranny
The promotion of religion by the State is a step toward religious tyranny. The CIVIL State has NO right in RELIGIOUS issues.
(e) The State does not know what to allow or what to prohibit
Truth is NOT determined by majority vote.
(f) It joins what Christ has separated
Church & State have separate domains. “...Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesarʼs; and unto God the things that are Godʼs.” Matt. 22:21.
(g) It is theft
It is wrong to use tax money to promote any religion that the tax payer does not accept. Individuals should be allowed to fund the religion of their own choice. Taxation by the Civil government is for civil purposes not religious.
If religion is not taught in public school then where would it be taught?
Religions exist to teach religion. Some may not choose to learn about religion at all. This is their right. Private schools are available for those who want their children taught religion at school. Private schools should be funded privatelly.
Would it promote anarchy if religion was not taught at public schools?
State schools should teach civility (obedience to civil law) but not religion.
The teaching of religion is the function of the church NOT the State. Because the church has failed to do its job morality has slipped. Many Christians are now seeking State legislation to achieve what the church has failed to do. Such
a course will certainly result in religious persecution.
NO Nation is a ʻChristianʼ nation
No nation on earth is a Christian nation because Christ said “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.
True Christians defend everyoneʼs liberty to believe, or not believe, what they want (Rom 14:5).
"When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land, and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin." — The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:977 (1888). {LDE 133.5}
* "I'd much rather not trust the Government to pick and choose which opinions are OK than allow the Government to shut down which opinions I do not like." - B Shapiro
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