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Religion See other Religion Articles Title: What Separation of Church and State? What Separation of Church and State Good day. My name is Richard, and I am a Christian. I am about fifty years old, and I was raised in Montana, where I spent roughly the first forty-one years of my life. I have been in Mexico for nearly nine years now, and I like it here, a lot. I like the people, the language, and the food. Please, I ask of you that if you are angry about something that I write, please be specific about the perceived problem. Most of what I send out will be based on facts, laws, statutes, legal definitions, government documents and the like. Just because you do not like something does not mean that it is incorrect, so if you have a problem with something, quote me chapter and verse detailing why I am wrong. And I have been wrong, and blessings to the people who helped me to learn and correct my errors! The Separation of Church and State within the United States is an illusion. And no one says anything about it. Ever wonder why? (For reference, see Fascism.) 1) Nearly 99% of the so-called Christian churches are corporations, which places them in commerce. This is required by the hierarchy of such churches (not by the congregations). 2) More than 99% of the ministers serving in such churches are licensed by the government. This is required by the hierarchy of such churches (not by the congregations). In Black’s Law Dictionary, License; a personal privilege to do some particular act or series of acts on land without possessing any estate or interest therein,….. The permission by competent authority to do an act which, without such permission, would be illegal… Privilege; A particular and peculiar benefit or advantage enjoyed by a person, company, or class, beyond the common advantages of other citizens. An exceptional or extraordinary power or exemption. A peculiar right, advantage, exemption, power, franchise, or immunity held by a person or class, ….. In other words, by working with the government (see Fascism), and accepting licensing for their so-called ministers and by incorporating, the various churches have attained a monopoly on the Word of God. I don’t think so! Of course, you may learn even more by looking up the other words contained in this definition, IN A LEGAL DICTIONARY. Also, you should note the difference between a RIGHT and a privilege; a RIGHT exists, and a privilege is created by man. And no one can create a privilege without having first taken some RIGHT from another man. If you are confused about the issue of RIGHTS, please refer to the Declaration of Independence. 3) 100% of all marriages performed in corporate churches using licensed ministers are marriages performed with a marriage licensed issued by the government. The ‘licensed’ ministers are not permitted to perform marriages without the state issued marriage licenses, and such marriages are solemnized thus: by the authority granted me by the State of New York (or whatever State), I now pronounce you man and wife. Stop and think, does that sound like a Christian marriage!? Marriage License; page 973, Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, A license or permission granted by public authority to persons who intend to intermarry,….. Intermarriage; page 815, Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, See Miscegenation. Miscegenation; page 999, Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, Mixture of races. (I am going to say this only one time; do not write a response to this post claiming that the marriage license now means something different! The above is the legal definition currently in use within the courts of the United States. NO OTHER DEFINITION CAN DEFEAT THIS DEFINITION WITHIN THOSE COURTS.) A marriage license is signed by the parties to the marriage, i.e., the man, the woman, and an agent for the state, and thus is attested to and becomes a three-party contract. This gives the state the same rights within the marriage as the husband and wife, including to the issue (children) of the marriage, and the wealth accumulated within the marriage. Have any more questions about taxation? Or, about excluding homosexuals from a marriage solemnized under a marriage license? Marriage Certificate; page 973, Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, An instrument which certifies a marriage and is executed by the person officiating at the marriage; it is not intended to be signed by the parties, but is evidence of the marriage. Marriage certificates are what are used in actual Christian churches, and I have seen such upheld in many situations. Including military personal who present such as evidence of marriage to obtain benefits from the military for their wife. It is accepted throughout the United States. Just the fact that it is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary is enough to understand that it is acceptable. Then why do the corporate churches only perform marriages with a marriage license? It is important to note that marriage certificates are not designed to be signed by the man and wife, thus it is not a contract within the legal definitions of man, which certainly puts it into a completely different Lawful context. After having watched quite a few of the Separation of Church and State groups for some time, I am amazed at how little information comes across them, and if there is information sent out to these groups, it is always about something to sell or with something supposedly bad about Christians, or something bad about the Bible, or both! And yet, how many of those writing such have ever read the Bible, much less studied it? And how many of those complaining about Christians have any idea as to exactly what a Christian actually is? A Christian should, as all men should, follow a very good rule about men; a man is known by his actions, and not by his words, as all men are liars. It is a prime rule of life, and works very well with another rule; follow the money. When a harlot appears on TV, fishing for money, i.e., donations, and says that he is a Christian, what would lead someone to believe that? Because the harlot said it? Does that make any sense? How many such must be exposed before people begin to catch on? Observe the actions of such men, as this is how they are always exposed, and I am sure you can remember any number of such exposures. But such men have stolen millions of dollars through their TV empires, and as soon as they are gone, another arises to take their place, and the entire charade begins again. Of course, there are many more such harlots operating within the incorporated churches and who style themselves, and their churches, as Christian as well. Don’t you ever wonder why such men, and their incorporated churches, never have problems with the IRS and the government? Perhaps the following may give you some insight into what is going on. As you read this, please be sure to remember that there will be a post on Fascism coming soon. How the IRS controls Christian Churches; http://www.texemarrs.com/121998/35.htm Does the IRS hate the Gospel and despise Bible-believing Christians? Has the IRS become a police-state agency that regularly persecutes churches, pastors, and ministries that still believe in old-fashioned patriotism? Listed below are 35 things the IRS contends are prohibited of churches and ministries. A pastor or ministry leader who violates the guidelines of the IRS on these 35 prohibitions can have his church or group's tax exemption revoked and be dealt with harshly by the IRS. These 35 prohibitions on churches and ministries demonstrate how the IRS and the federal government now control churches and insure politically and religiously "correct" behavior. Liberal Christian churches and false religions such as Hunduism, Witchcraft, and Scientology are not affected by these rules--only Bible-believing, Christian ministries and churches. Also, keep in mind: These 35 things are not prohibited by law nor by the Constitution. The IRS considers itself above the law and the Constitution. According to the IRS, Christian churches, ministries, and organizations may not: 1. Expose conspiracies. 2. Criticize the New World Order. 3. Say or publish anything negative about any politician, Republican or Democrat. 4. Criticize government agencies and bureaus--the IRS, FBI, BATF, CIA, EPA, DEA, OSHA, DOJ, etc. 5. Criticize an institution of government such as the White House, the Congress, the Federal Reserve Board, or the Supreme Court. 6. Encourage citizens to call or write their congressman, senator, governor, mayor, or other public official. 7. Criticize any proposed or pending bill or legislation that would take away the rights and freedoms of the people. 8. Make disparaging remarks about, or criticize, any other faith group, cult, or religion. 9. Expose or criticize the New Age Movement. 10. Support or encourage a law-abiding citizen's militia. 11. Support or encourage the Second Amendment, the right of the people to keep and bear arms. 12. Discourage young women from getting an abortion, or endorse the pro-life movement. 13. Teach that abortion, especially partial birth abortion, is murder and is the killing of innocent babies. 14. Identify homosexuality as a sin and an abomination to God. 15. Express an opinion on any subject or issue. 16. Appeal to peoples' emotions by employing an evangelization method (such as "fire and brimstone" preaching) not considered a "reasoned approach" by the IRS. 17. Discuss or identify threats to Christianity. 18. Discuss subjects or topics the IRS deems "sensationalist." 19. Criticize well-known public figures or institutions the IRS deems "worthy", such as the super-rich elite, international bankers, the Hollywood movie industry, etc. 20. Publish or broadcast information on any topic without giving credence to the opposing viewpoints of Christ's enemies. 21. Publish and offer books, tapes, or products that expose the elitist plot against humanity and God. 22. Criticize the Pope or the Vatican, or contrast the New Catholic Catechism with the truths found in the Holy Bible. (Note: only liberal churches are permitted by the IRS to criticize the Catholic Church). 23. Criticize the United Nations or such globalist groups as the Council on Foreign Relations, the Bilderbergers, and the Trilateral Commission. 24. Criticize the Masonic Lodge, the Order of Skull & Bones, or other Secret societies. 25. Highlight or otherwise bring attention to immorality of public officials or corruption in government. 26. Complain of government wrongdoing or injustice, such as happened at Waco, Ruby Ridge, and elsewhere. 27. Criticize the Jewish ADL or other Jewish lobby groups. 28. Say anything positive about the "religious right" or the "patriot movement." 29. Support home schooling, home churches, or unregistered churches. 30. Spend money on missionary projects or charitable causes not approved by the IRS. 31. Promote or encourage alternative healthcare (herbs, vitamins, etc.). 32. Expose false teachings of any kind by anyone. 33. Support or encourage persecuted Christians suffering under anti-Christian regimes in Red China, Cuba, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and elsewhere. 34. Ordain a pastor whose training or qualifications are not approved by the IRS. 35. Advocate or teach any Bible doctrine that is politically or religiously incorrect, or is inconsistent with any "public policy" (abortion, feminism, gay rights, etc.) currently being enforced by the IRS. Interesting, isn´t it. When you read the information on this page of the Texe Marrs site, remember that it is true. However, because I have used this information from this site to illustrate a point does not mean that I endorse the Texe Marrs ministry, or that much else that is talked about on this site is true. To verify this information, you can type BIBLE AND THE IRS into any Internet search engine (I used dogpile), and you will be led to quite a number of similar sites with more or less identical information. And, you can find a number of sites, which detail how churches have been stripped of their real estate by the IRS, and it is always for violating the rules posted above. Generally, the IRS will claim that the church in question had not paid their taxes, but that was because they had their tax-exempt status removed for violating these rules. There are a number of interesting considerations to make note of here. First off, a man of God does not seek a tax exemption from the government: to make such a request is actually requesting to enter into commerce, and places the man and his ministry directly under control of the government. So what Texe Marrs is complaining of here makes no sense. If a so-called church wishes to engage in commerce, then it is properly under the control of the government, in whatever form of control the government wishes to exert. And given that a tax exemption was requested, then the proper agency of control is the IRS. After all, the church directly requested such control. That being said, please note the form of the control, and read the 35 prohibited actions very carefully, for those 35 prohibitions reveal very thoroughly the intentions of the government behind the IRS. Actually, you will, if you read and study this Post carefully, have an insight into the thoughts and actions of the Internationalists who control the United States government, and a beginning understanding as to how to identify those who claim to be Christians, and are not. Understanding is the first step necessary in correcting evil, and if you are confused as to what you see going on around you, then you are not capable of making informed decisions. Neither are you capable, when you are in a state of confusion, in correctly deciding who you should be associating with, donating to, or generally supporting. “ministries that still believe in old-fashioned patriotism?” This is a quote from this page of the Texe Marrs site, and makes one wonder as to just how important is the Bible to such men? I have to conclude, after reading this site, that the Bible is simply another tool to be used in generating donations. In the Bible, we are told that the governments of man are raised up by God to punish evil does, unbelievers, and the wicked. And any study of history will show that this is absolutely true. The problem with men such as Texe Marrs is that they have no real understanding of the Constitution and the United States government, and instead of listening to the Bible, they follow the traditions of men. This is condemned in the Bible. We are told not to oppose the governments of men, because they have been raised up by God for His purposes…. to punish evil does, unbelievers, and the wicked. Why are we not to oppose such governments? Because of isometrics. Isometric exercises teach us that opposition builds strength. If you wish the government that you think is evil or in error to grow in strength, simply oppose it. Evil men have understood this principle for thousands of years, and have used it endlessly in order to cement their own positions of power into place. They do this by simply creating a backlash against their control by a minority of the people, or, much more effectively, creating a situation where the people rush, supposedly, to the defense of the nation. Two recent examples of this, leading to new draconian laws, were the Reichstag fire in Germany, which finalized Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, and the Oklahoma City bombing and 911 within the United States, which lead to the so-called Patriot Act. History has revealed that it was Hitler, or at least his ‘friends’, who were behind the Reichstag fire. No one has produced iron clad proof concerning the two events within the United States, but there has certainly been enough good questions raised for which there appear to be no answers to raise serious doubts about the official versions about either the Oklahoma City bombing, or the Twin Towers attack. (Of course, as we all understand, the proof of the twin towers attack is now available in most all locations – but this post was written more than two years ago.) There is nothing in the Bible that instructs a Christian in patriotism to a creation of man, such as a government. There is also nothing within the Bible, which instructs a Christian about participating within the governments of man. In fact, nearly 60% of the Bible is instruction on God’s government on earth, which is alive and quite well, thank you. And I assure you, there is no preaching permitted from this part of the Bible within the corporation churches of the state! Frankly, I do not care what the United States government does. It has no effect on me. I do not eat the garbage sold as food within the United States (coming soon, a post on what constitutes food), I do not participate in Social Security (coming soon, a post on Social Security), and my friends do not send their children to so-called public schools. We do not serve in the military (we would if a direct attack was made upon America), and we certainly do not vote! God’s government on earth is based on the family. If you understand this, then the continual attacks against the family by the United States government over the last sixty years begins to make sense. The Republic of America was based on this government of God, but that was a far different system than what is taught in the government controlled schools of today, and far, far different from what Americans think they know about what constitutes a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, today. Stay tuned for more, and do not be afraid to ask questions! God Bless, Richard The following was sent to me after the first limited posting of ''What Separation of Church and State''. The information came from Brother Gregory, and covers much that I missed. It is certainly interesting, and you should wonder how this ties into Fascism, and how the state uses the churches to cement its control of the nation. Richard “Churches have not only bound themselves unnecessarily, they have neglected the daily ministration of the people and delivered them back into the snares and bondage of rulers and despots which Abraham, Moses and Jesus led men out of. Churches regularly fill out (a form) 1023 and apply for a status with the government called 501C3. Lawyers tell them they have to do this despite that the Internal Revenue states that, "The following organizations will be considered tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) even if they do not file Form 1023: (a) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches,...". Where do they state this? In the instructions of course: "Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code," under "Purpose of Form," section "2. Organizations not Required to file Form 1023. -Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. This of course is not the only place that Churches are told that they do not have to apply. Many have told me that if you are not a 501(c)(3) church you cannot deduct your contributions. For those who believe that to be true you should know that, in the Department of the Treasury, I.R.S., Pub. 557 Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chap. 3, Page 14, we find; "Although a church, its integrated auxiliaries, or a convention or association of churches is not required to file Form 1023 to be exempt from federal income tax or to receive tax deductible contributions, such an organization may find it advantageous to obtain recognition of exemption." (This is exactly what I was speaking of before; in essence, the churches have requested to enter into commerce. – Richard) So, contributions are deductible if you do not file. Yet many churches do file. Why? What are the advantages that they may find under a 501(c)(3) status? "Advantages and Disadvantages of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3)." "The main advantage to classification under .501(c)(3) is that the organization is generally spared federal taxation of its income." according to the Detailed Analysis, Tax Management Inc. a subsidiary of the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. 464-2nd, A -1 The use of the words 'generally spared' should make it clear that any 'organization' granted or permitted exemption under 501(c)(3) is spared not because of its nature or right but because of its 'classification.' Probably the most important word to note is the word 'under.' Again if we look at the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Instructions for form 1023, section 2, we see; "Even if these organizations are not required to file form 1023 to be tax-exempt, they may wish to file form 1023 and receive a determination letter of IRS recognition of their section 501(c)(3) status to obtain certain incidental benefits such as public recognition of their tax exempt status; exemptions from certain state taxes; advance assurance to donors of deductibility of contributions; from certain Federal excise taxes; nonprofit mailing privileges, etc." How is it an advantage to exchange a God given mandatory exemption as Christ's Holy Church for a classification as an organization, which is only generally spared taxation? So, what are the disadvantages? According to the same Detailed Analysis, "The disadvantages of exemption under 501(c)(3) stem from the strict operational restrictions." A church or a religion is exempt, in the sense that it is not taxed or regulated, because the government has no power, granted by the document that created it, to make rules to the contrary. Do you want to be merely spared a tax although your operations will be strictly restricted under the administrative rule of 501(c)(3) regulations and authority? There is far more to all this including a look at incorporation by the state of a Church which is really the waiver of rights of the Church granted by Christ in exchange for commercial benefits offered by the state. . See The Body of Christ Vs. The Body of the State and other links concerning the formation of a free Church. Http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/bvb.htm Peace on your house Gregory@hisholychurch.net Join the Kingdom News List http://www.hisholychurch.net/subscribe.html Discussion and News lists including the Kingdom News. http://www.hisholychurch.net/emaillst.asp I have always understood that it was not necessary to register a church to make that church tax deductible; in fact, I have always understood that the very act of registering such a church would end it’s RIGHT to be tax deductible, and instead make that church depend upon a PRIVILEGE. But I did not have the details available that Brother Gregory was so gracious to share with us. There is another aspect to this, and it is one of supreme importance… at least, it is to me. If you are a Christian, and I realize that many on these lists are not, then you understand the same as I do, and you know that there will come a day when you stand before God for Judgment. You are required by His Law to seek out the Truth, and you are required to change accordingly when you discover what it is that you are required to do. If you are attending a 501(c)(3) church, accepting marriage with a state issued marriage license, and listening to a state licensed minister preach the Word of God, then you are the one who will have to face judgment for that sin. You are compounding this sin when you donate money to such an organization, cherish the tax deduction, and teach your children and all others you know, by your example, to do the same as you. I was raised as a Catholic. I got over it, and so can you. And if you actually accept God, then you must get over practicing religion (a work of man), or risk having your name stricken from His Book. This is your responsibility, just as it was mine. Now, it matters not to me how you accept this responsibility. It causes me no harm if you refute everything in your own mind, for the responsibility is yours. MY responsibility was to see to it that you have access to the CORRECT information. Once you have this information, what you do with it becomes much more important, TO YOU, from that day on. The Bible is REAL big on personal responsibility. God Bless, Richard
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#2. To: richard9151 (#0)
The basic doctrine of the Catholic church is the same as most of the Protestant denominations. The important tenets are believed by Catholics and Protestants alike: that Christ is God Incarnate, the existence of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, and the virgin birth. That organized religion has its problems is obvious. Not sure what your point is about the marriage license. Maybe churches should pay taxes, like a corporation; well except most corporations don't pay any tax.
This, I believe, is where Richard is going with the marriage licence issue and 50lc 3 churches. 5 Reasons Why Christians Should Not Obtain a State Marriage License by Pastor Matt Trewhella Every year thousands of Christians amble down to their local county courthouse and obtain a marriage license from the State in order to marry their future spouse. They do this unquestioningly. They do it because their pastor has told them to go get one, and besides, "everybody else gets one." This pamphlet attempts to answer the question - why should we not get one? 1. The definition of a "license" demands that we not obtain one to marry. Black’s Law Dictionary defines "license" as, "The permission by competent authority to do an act which without such permission, would be illegal." We need to ask ourselves- why should it be illegal to marry without the State’s permission? More importantly, why should we need the State’s permission to participate in something which God instituted (Gen. 2:18-24)? We should not need the State’s permission to marry nor should we grovel before state officials to seek it. What if you apply and the State says "no"? You must understand that the authority to license implies the power to prohibit. A license by definition "confers a right" to do something. The State cannot grant the right to marry. It is a God-given right. 2. When you marry with a marriage license, you grant the State jurisdiction over your marriage. When you marry with a marriage license, your marriage is a creature of the State. It is a corporation of the State! Therefore, they have jurisdiction over your marriage including the fruit of your marriage. What is the fruit of your marriage? Your children and every piece of property you own. There is plenty of case law in American jurisprudence which declares this to be true. In 1993, parents were upset here in Wisconsin because a test was being administered to their children in the government schools which was very invasive of the family’s privacy. When parents complained, they were shocked by the school bureaucrats who informed them that their children were required to take the test by law and that they would have to take the test because they (the government school) had jurisdiction over their children. When parents asked the bureaucrats what gave them jurisdiction, the bureaucrats answered, "your marriage license and their birth certificates." Judicially, and in increasing fashion, practically, your state marriage license has far- reaching implications. 3. When you marry with a marriage license, you place yourself under a body of law which is immoral. By obtaining a marriage license, you place yourself under the jurisdiction of Family Court which is governed by unbiblical and immoral laws. Under these laws, you can divorce for any reason. Often, the courts side with the spouse who is in rebellion to God, and castigates the spouse who remains faithful by ordering him or her not to speak about the Bible or other matters of faith when present with the children. As a minister, I cannot in good conscience perform a marriage which would place people under this immoral body of laws. I also cannot marry someone with a marriage license because to do so I have to act as an agent of the State! I would have to sign the marriage license, and I would have to mail it into the State. Given the State’s demand to usurp the place of God and family regarding marriage, and given it’s unbiblical, immoral laws to govern marriage, it would be an act of treason for me to do so. 4. The marriage license invades and removes God-given parental authority. When you read the Bible, you see that God intended for children to have their father’s blessing regarding whom they married. Daughters were to be given in marriage by their fathers (Dt. 22:16; Ex. 22:17; I Cor. 7:38). We have a vestige of this in our culture today in that the father takes his daughter to the front of the altar and the minister asks, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" Historically, there was no requirement to obtain a marriage license in colonial America. When you read the laws of the colonies and then the states, you see only two requirements for marriage. First, you had to obtain your parents permission to marry, and second, you had to post public notice of the marriage 5-15 days before the ceremony. Notice you had to obtain your parents permission. Back then you saw godly government displayed in that the State recognized the parents authority by demanding that the parents permission be obtained. Today, the all-encompassing ungodly State demands that their permission be obtained to marry. By issuing marriage licenses, the State is saying, "You don’t need your parents permission, you need our permission." If parents are opposed to their child’s marrying a certain person and refuse to give their permission, the child can do an end run around the parents authority by obtaining the State’s permission, and marry anyway. This is an invasion and removal of God-given parental authority by the State. 5. When you marry with a marriage license, you are like a polygamist. From the State’s point of view, when you marry with a marriage license, you are not just marrying your spouse, but you are also marrying the State. The most blatant declaration of this fact that I have ever found is a brochure entitled "With This Ring I Thee Wed." It is found in county courthouses across Ohio where people go to obtain their marriage licenses. It is published by the Ohio State Bar Association. The opening paragraph under the subtitle "Marriage Vows" states, "Actually, when you repeat your marriage vows you enter into a legal contract. There are three parties to that contract. 1.You; 2. Your husband or wife, as the case may be; and 3. the State of Ohio." See, the State and the lawyers know that when you marry with a marriage license, you are not just marrying your spouse, you are marrying the State! You are like a polygamist! You are not just making a vow to your spouse, but you are making a vow to the State and your spouse. You are also giving undue jurisdiction to the State. When Does the State Have Jurisdiction Over a Marriage? God intended the State to have jurisdiction over a marriage for two reasons - 1). in the case of divorce, and 2). when crimes are committed i.e., adultery, bigamy. etc. Unfortunately, the State now allows divorce for any reason, and it does not prosecute for adultery. In either case, divorce or crime, a marriage license is not necessary for the courts to determine whether a marriage existed or not. What is needed are witnesses. This is why you have a best man and a maid of honor. They should sign the marriage certificate in your family Bible, and the wedding day guest book should be kept. Marriage was instituted by God, therefore it is a God-given right. According to Scripture, it is to be governed by the family, and the State only has jurisdiction in the cases of divorce or crime. History of Marriage Licenses in America George Washington was married without a marriage license. So, how did we come to this place in America where marriage licenses are issued? Historically, all the states in America had laws outlawing the marriage of blacks and whites. In the mid-1800’s, certain states began allowing interracial marriages or miscegenation as long as those marrying received a license from the state. In other words they had to receive permission to do an act which without such permission would have been illegal. Blacks Law Dictionary points to this historical fact when it defines "marriage license" as, "A license or permission granted by public authority to persons who intend to intermarry." "Intermarry" is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary as, "Miscegenation; mixed or interracial marriages." Give the State an inch and they will take a 100 miles (or as one elderly woman once said to me "10,000 miles.") Not long after these licenses were issued, some states began requiring all people who marry to obtain a marriage license. In 1923, the Federal Government established the Uniform Marriage and Marriage License Act (they later established the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act). By 1929, every state in the Union had adopted marriage license laws. What Should We Do? Christian couples should not be marrying with State marriage licenses, nor should ministers be marrying people with State marriage licenses. Some have said to me, "If someone is married without a marriage license, then they aren’t really married." Given the fact that states may soon legalize same-sex marriages, we need to ask ourselves, "If a man and a man marry with a State marriage license, and a man and woman marry without a State marriage license - who’s really married? Is it the two men with a marriage license, or the man and woman without a marriage license? In reality, this contention that people are not really married unless they obtain a marriage license simply reveals how Statist we are in our thinking. We need to think biblically. (As for homosexuals marrying, outlaw sodomy as God's law demands, and there will be no threat of sodomites marrying.) You should not have to obtain a license from the State to marry someone anymore than you should have to obtain a license from the State to be a parent, which some in academic and legislative circles are currently pushing to be made law. When I marry a couple, I always buy them a Family Bible which contains birth and death records, and a marriage certificate. We record the marriage in the Family Bible. What’s recorded in a Family Bible will stand up as legal evidence in any court of law in America. Early Americans were married without a marriage license. They simply recorded their marriages in their Family Bibles. So should we. (Pastor Trewhella has been marrying couples without marriage licenses for ten years. Many other pastors also refuse to marry couples with State marriage licenses.) This pamphlet is not comprehensive in scope. Rather, the purpose of this pamphlet is to make you think and give you a starting point to do further study of your own. If you would like an audio sermon regarding this matter, just send a gift of at least five dollars in cash to: Mercy Seat Christian Church 10240 W. National Ave. PMB #129 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53227.
#15. To: christine (#12)
I wouldn't want a church deciding the division of property in the case of a divorce. They are often messy enough w/o some entity that is clueless about the concept of civil law. And can you imagine how they would decide about any children? No objectivity, or at least, not enough.
Very, very good! Please, may I ask you to put this into a general post with whatever other info you may find that fits it and post to the general site? Thank you again! Richard
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