We are all in agreement that there has to be a separation of church and state, but not a divorce between the two. What bothers us these days is to observe the way in which that concept has changed from “separateness” or “distinctiveness” to a situation which resembles the breakdown of a marriage. We notice the disappearance of what was meant to be a working relationship. Separation of church and state was never meant to lead to a divorce between Christian tradition and the various aspects of community life.
If, for example, a Muslim from the Middle East wanted proof that we as a nation have forgotten our God, he need only read our newspapers or weekly news magazines. It is small wonder that we have this confusion in the State Department of our country over how to talk with the Iranians. What an embarrassment to have an international issue turn into a moral and spiritual issue! How does a western state, divorced from its Christian heritage, talk to the leaders of a country who are unable to understand such a separation? That word isn’t in the vocabulary of Islam.
In a recent article, William R. Brown, of Central Connecticut State College and author of The Last Crusade: A Middle East Negotiator’s Handbook, said: “In U.S. government circles, for some reason, there is embarrassment over suggesting that our policies are tied to someone’s idea of God.” He went on to suggest that our officials, and we notice some of our public speakers, have decided to deal with the question as if the whole thing is just one more Communist plot. Certainly the chaos of a popular revolution such as we have in Iran, and the dramatic changes going on in that country, will at the outset weaken her and we may see Russia reaping the benefit. But the power and drive of Islam has to be reckoned with, apart from Communist influences.
Surprising as it may sound, Marxism and Islam can co-exist. We see this in Algeria and the People‘s Democratic Republic of Yemen, for example. The sad thing is that we are not aware that it is Christianity and Islam which are not compatible.
If the issue between the USA and Iran is a moral issue then we must look to our morals. If our weakness is moral, then in repentance and a national turning to God are where we will find our strength. We can think of Biblical proof texts for that.
There was a glaring example recently, of our moral weakness, in a series of articles which ran in our local newspaper. The subject was teen pregnancies and the conclusion was that we are suffering from a new set of values! The reporter had done a lot of research in order to write the articles. She had talked with the hospitals and various agencies in the area which become involved in this alarming national problem. She had interviewed boys and girls in their early teens, as to their attitude toward “sexual activity.” She had consulted with educators in the public schools with regard to sex education. A separate piece brought words of debatable wisdom from a marriage counselor. But, not one church leader was consulted.
It was sad to see that such a subject could be treated only in a “clinical” way, even when it involved morality. It was sad also that the future looks very gloomy. Apparently nothing can be done about these “new values” by which society is living, and everyone admitted that young teenagers just cannot cope with them. The major concern of the articles was on how we can help teens adapt to this situation. There was no hint of immorality or sin! No linking of this “sexual activity before marriage” to its definition—fornication. The voice of the church was silent.
We still have the freedom to express our opinions through letters to the editor. Let’s not wait for someone to organize us. There is nothing better than a spontaneous Christian witness. Let’s stand up and be counted as Christians who care about their country; care enough to point out a wrong when they see it.
As Christians we are a part of the body of Christ, and hence we are the church. Let’s do our part to get church and state back on speaking terms.
Mrs. Madany is the wife of Bassam M. Madany, Minister of Arabic Broadcasting of the Christian Reformed Churches’ Back-to-God Hour. They live in South Holland, Illinois.