Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBrmH2pCmyM&feature=related

Reuniting church and state. When ever I hear this thought of uniting the biggest con that man ever made, it makes me feel sick to my stomach that intelligent people still think the world was made by some higher being:)...But of course religious people have their right to worship thin air if that gets them off.....however get a free ride from the state which non-religious people pay for, and the state schools are bleeding the parents of non-believers and making life intolerable because the two are great bed-fellows, if you pardon the expression.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atTSwau9fwM&feature=related

See the rich have two faces, can you see which one you are?

CACTUS

I think this article has been somewhat misinterpreted in many of the posts on this thread - but that is reasonably understandable, given the somewhat confusing nature of the article.

However, my take on the essence of the article is based on its closing - "...nor does it give either the church or the state a zone of non-interference where either may do as it sees fit, free from accountability."

I find value in this closing statement, not as a suggestion that the church(es) should be more directly involved in politics, but that church(es) should be more proactive in resolving differences in their teachings, and working conscientiously to establish a common set of values and standards (of ethics, conduct, tolerance, understanding, compassion and morality) for the benefit of society as a whole. Such cooperation may be extremely difficult in a global context, but may be achievable in the Australian context, and might thus be a beacon, more telling than action on climate change, and potentially of wide significance to resolution of much of the causation of the worldwide refugee crisis. This may be drawing a very long bow, but from small beginnings....

By influencing greater societal stability, through a genuinely cooperative approach, religious groups would be doing a great service to humanity and concomitantly to the state. The potential also of a resultant combined voice to influence public policy for the betterment of society as a whole could be a bonus, if utilised wisely and sparingly.

There is so much competition, conflict and crisis in the world, it is surely time for a paradigm shift.

McReal wrote:

>>It's not just the Jews that have been persecuted by Christians or Muslims:....>>

In fact it's mostly been Christians persecuting other Christians and Muslims persecuting other Muslims.

Even today would you like to be an Ahamdiya, Shia or Sufi in Pakistan?

On the other hand there's still quite a bit of inter-religious (as opposed to intra-religious) persecution still going on. Think of the Copts in Egypt or Christians in Indonesia and Pakistan.

And both Islam and Christianity like picking on gays. Homosexuality is still a criminal offence in most Muslim countries and quite a few non-Muslim but devoutly Christian ones as well. The latter are to be found mainly in Africa.

Both Islam and Christianity have problems with scientific enquiry. If religion and state really are re-united expect to see the teaching of evolution banned.

I'm focussing on Islam and Christianity because they are genuinely two outliers.

--They are big. Islam accounts for one fifth of humanity.

--Unlike most religions - eg Judaism - they both proselytise aggressively.

<<--Unlike most religions - eg Judaism - they both proselytise aggressively.>>
Where I live there are at least three pentecostal Christian groups down at my local shopping strip every Saturday morning with their little stalls, one group has taken to using a loud hailer to tell us all where we're headed if we don't accept Christ's word.
There are loads of Muslims in the area but in eleven years I've never once seen them proselytising, they keep themselves to themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASqJAT1W3r0&feature=related

Reuniting church and state:) I think its a great idea:)

I cant believe I share a world with some of you.....I really cant.

CACTUS