The very existence of the 501(c)(3) in the Internal Revenue Code is a clear indication of the lack of separation between church and state today. Many people and often pastors or leading ministers presume that it is a good thing because it reduces or eliminates the payment of taxes. They should realize the leverage it does give secular government against any church taking advantage of its provisions. When someone in authority decides a church does not qualify any more or initially...? Many churches likely could not afford to pay the taxes which would then apply to them.
A similar provision is available to ministers of churches. They may choose to not pay taxes at all. This includes Social Security taxes. I know from experience on the job with SSA and while some have chosen to pay the taxes, many others have not. I wonder how many make their decisions for personal financial reason rather than due to a conviction with God.
I agree. It will be used as leverage against the church. Eventually, if you don't let women be pastors, or homosexuals be pastors, it will be threatened against them. Worse, if the church preaches hate, it will be used against them. And of course the enlightened liberal atheist will determine what is hate.
In the future, if the Lord hasn't returned yet, I do not doubt there will be efforts to silence the church in preaching the blood of Christ. They will probably say it is too morbid, and teaches human sacrifice. You can preach the goodness of man. You can even preach the Sermon on the Mount, but don't be preaching about human sacrifice and blood.
Roger Williams probably had an idealistic view of the separation of church and state. For the state was highly influenced by Christianity in his day. He was not viewing an atheistic secular state. Little did he realize that separation of church and state would mean just that.
Have you read (How Should We Then Live?) by Francis A. Schaeffer? Excellent book.
Stranger