What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Religious Freedom Constitution USA"
Answer
In the Constitution of the United States, the natural right to religious freedom was enshrined as a constitutional principle that separates the government from any ecclesiastical interference or control. The Constitution delegates no powers over religious matters to the federal government, thereby protecting freedom of conscience and the separation of church and state. According to Adventist belief, especially as expressed by Alonzo T. Jones, this separation is in harmony with the will of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Nevertheless, historically there have been attempts, through judicial interpretations or Sunday laws, to impose a religious identity on the state, which contradicts the original spirit of the Constitution. True religious freedom therefore means the right to serve or not serve according to one's own conviction, completely free from governmental coercion.
The Constitutional Separation of Church and State
»And so the people of the United States have expressed in the supreme law of the land that the government of the United States is free and independent of any ecclesiastical or religious affiliation, interference, or control, and should be so by right of law.«
»Thus the natural right of humanity to freedom from governmental interference or regulation in religious matters was made a constitutional right under the government of the United States.«
»Since the Constitution of the United States transferred no power regarding religion... it inevitably follows that the government has no power, authority, or jurisdiction in, over, or concerning the subject of religion: and therefore the Supreme Court of the United States had no authority or right to declare the American people a "religious people" or this nation a "Christian nation"...«
»As American citizens we invoke the expressly declared constitutional right to the free exercise of religion according to the dictates of individual conscience, completely free and exempt from any governmental affiliation, interference, or control.«
»These cases clearly demonstrate that, according to the spirit of God, religion and earthly government should be entirely separate. Consequently, the Constitution of the United States is in harmony with the will of God expressed in the Scripture of truth regarding the subject of religion and state.«
»It seems that everyone should be glad for the opportunity to proclaim to the whole world the glory of a nation under whose protection all people can live completely untroubled, fully enjoying their religious rights and freedom, to worship or not worship according to the dictates of their own conscience.«
- Separation of Church and State USA
- Freedom of Conscience Constitutional Law
- Alonzo T. Jones Religious Freedom
Original Sources (English)
