# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S250
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

290 PARISH EDUCATION

This decision, not being based on history or Precedent -
legislative, the Court having framed a “constitutional Principle” op

absolute separation between the schools and religion, Atheists
extreme liberals have, therefore, heralded the decision as a yj
One group has said that this victory is only the opening Wedg
that the enemies of religion must now work for a complete
quest: Sunday laws, Church exemption from taxation, exemption
of ministers and conscientious objectors from military Service, em.
ployment of chaplains at public expense, compulsory attendance of
military personnel at religious exercises, requirement of oaths in
court, at inaugurations, etc., all of these are to be legislateq out
of existence, .
Christian people are vitally concerned over these Tecent de.
cisions of the Supreme Court. Separation from government and

The establishment-of-religion clause of the First Amendment
prohibits the Federal Government from creating, by legislation,

dividuals and Sroups, or freedom of conscience and freedom of
worship.

The State may lawfully co-operate with and befriend religion
on a non-preferential basis to the extent that it preserves the dis-
tinction between the two realms. Distinction, or differentiation, of
the two realms allows for co-operation, whereas “separation,” as
many understand the term, today seems to forbid co-operation.
When Lutherans speak of simple separation, they mean that we
must distinguish between the two realms and not mix their func-
tions. “Separation of Church and State” is an unfortunate term
because so many different meanings have been imported into it
Moreover, we are guilty of a loose usage of words when we speak

much the State may aid all religions on a non-preferential basis
(direct use of tax moneys excluded) cannot be established once

PARISH EDUCATION 291

and’for all. To the extent that the State recognizes the value of the
thisrch's contribution to the national welfare, it May permit the

ching of religion in the public schools, and the like. To the ex-
tent. that it tends toward absolutism, it will try to enforce regi-

children to a non-public school, but a totalitarian government,
insisting on one type of school, is sure to prohibit non-public

schools.
The State or Civil Government
Civil government, like the Church, is a divine institution. It
is based on the sovereignty of God, not on natural rights, Even

will of God. Luther cannot be cited in defense of the Passive atti-

tude toward civil government which has characterized much of

vornranism, Luther boldly told civil rulers what their duties

were according to the Word of God and courageous] rebuk

when they abused their power, . . od them
The fact that civil government is largely in the hands of world-
s and unscrupulous men must not deter the Church from de-