The concept that government should exist separately from religious beliefs is an ideal one according to an Anglican priest.
Systems where the line between state and religion was unclear have historically been open to ”˜blatant’ abuse, The Rev. Ng Koon Sheng expressed.
He was teaching a course organised by St. Andrew’s Cathedral (SAC) titled ”˜Sharing Our Faith in a Secular & Plural Society’ held on Tuesday.
Referring mostly to Christianity, the priest highlighted cases in which the Church either abused its authority or was abused by the state.
God is in charge anyway, regardless of any atheist’s insistence, republic’s legislation or authoritarian’s dictat. Any theocracy governed by mediating clergy and enforced by secret police or inquisition is no theocracy at all.
While many, if not most, Americans would concur that clear distinction between church and state is a good thing, we are seeing that the secular society then wants people of faith (all faiths) to leave faith at home when entering the public square – as if there is a way to do that – and as if that naturally follows from the required separation/distinction.