Church and State have two different functions but these have become entwined in a muddled way.

Church deals with the spiritual. State deals with day to day organization. Sometimes they clash with disastrous results as when Henry the Eighth, desperate for a male heir, was not allowed to divorce his wife, Katherine of Aragon, because of her powerful connections with the Catholic church in Rome. Was this a religious reason, a dynastic reason, a face saving action or the church showing its power and authority? The resulting split caused tidal waves of reaction.

The church were not at all concerned that many people would, and did, die horribly because of a difference of dogma. In fact this church was quite comfortable with the idea of burning to death someone who thought differently from them because it was part of their belief system that it was for their good.

Following this comes the question of which religion should be that of the church. Within the Christian faith, there are many branches, each with a disdain for the others believing that their version is the correct one. How moral is it to enforce ideas on another? You can easily make them conform outwardly, but who knows what is in their heart. Some brave individuals have been prepared to die for their faith such as Sir Thomas Moore in the Reformation who refused to modify his beliefs. He had that right and no one had the right to destroy him. We think this could not happen now yet all over the world people are dying and being maimed because of religious intolerance. Christianity is not the only religion which demands the church has a say in the daily lives of the populace.

One difficulty for many people is that they cannot believe that someone without a religious faith can be a moral person. It is thought that only the teachings of a church can instill 'goodness' into someone. At the same time we are encouraged to develop our own personal morality which it is hoped will be law abiding, kind and humane. Surely we can be all of those things without having a faith. Is the State always moral in its actions?

The job of the state is to ensure a country lives in peace, that those not able to care for themselves are protected, that the collective financial power of the country enables children to be educated, medical care is available and that daily life runs smoothly.

The job of the church is to sustain. Many church groups do wonderful charity work which modern governments cannot or will not do. That is their privilege but the needs of religion and the demands of government require different thoughts and actions.

Learn more about this author, Rosemary Redfern.
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