Render Unto Caesar!

How well I remember sitting in a Bible class discussing the story of Jesus paying taxes to Caesar.  Jesus said..“Give to Caesar what is his and unto God what belongs to Him.” (my translation). Although this probably had to do with paying taxes I think it also can apply to many situations today.  Would you have bowed down to a statue of a pagan god if it meant your life?

In our Bible classes, we all agreed that we would never submit to any laws that contradicted Biblical principles.  We felt safe and secure in our church pews and that nothing could shake our convictions.  We could handle anything that Big Brother might shove our way!!

Today our Caesar is requiring the same……not only our money but our allegiance to laws which actually are a contradiction to Biblical principles.  Here follows a case in point. 

Just read in two papers (this is taken from the Wall Street Journal), where the Catholic Social Services (aka CSS) of Philadelphia is being sued  for not allowing same sex couples to be in their foster parenting program.  The CSS has been doing this work since 1919 and does use city and state funds to helps support its efforts to find suitable homes for young children.  However, it is against their principles to place children with same sex couples. The agency has placed thousands of children through the years using both public and private funds for support.  The issue has been scheduled to come before the Supreme Court and will be heard next October.  So why is this of concern to us? 

Here’s why.  Many, if not all, church related services, although supported by individuals, church funds etc. do receive some financial aid from public funds.  As it reads these agencies cannot prevent same sex couples from adoptions, working as parents in children’s homes and other church related missionary activities.  If these agencies receive any public funding then they come under the same laws which will allow homosexual couples to take and raise children. 

But wait, it doesn’t stop there.  Who is to say that in the future our church property won’t be subject to taxation if we discriminate against same sex couples on staff of church boards; teachers or administrators?  Even though we don’t take public funding….with any change of government in congress/ or president, church property can be taxed.  Our Christian schools would by law have homosexuals on staff; have open bathrooms etc.   Our donations would not be tax exempt.

In fact one man running for president already said he approved taxing churches if they don’t except the laws for same sex couples being admitted to all aspects of church related activities.  I think he was just making threats unless of course churches take public money in any form. 

It is not the intent of this blog to discuss homosexuality in our society. Just wanted you to be aware of the dangers this poses to those of us who want to be of service to others but at the same time have religious convictions which prevent us from complying with certain laws which seem to favor one segment of our society over others. 

Can we/will we be able to fight Caesar?  The best outcome will be for the Supreme Court to vote in favor of the CSS.  If not, then be prepared.

                                   No funds from the feds!