2 of 2

The best way to endanger a civil right is to abuse it. We who work for churches and religious organizations ought to be free from government control, but not be freeloaders. We ought to defend our First Amendment rights, but also remember a far older mandate. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's," Jesus said, "and to God what is God's."

Some of what is done in the name of religious freedom fails to meet even Caesar's standards of justice and fair play, let alone God's. Our critics shouldn't be the first to notice.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The New York Times series "In God's Name" includes:

As Exemptions Grow, Religion Outweighs Regulation | From day care centers to nursing homes, rules don't apply to faith groups. (October 8,2006)

Where Faith Abides, Employees Have Few Rights | For years, U.S. judges have used the separation of church and state to shield religious employers of all faiths from labor laws and most employee lawsuits. (October 9, 2006)

As Religious Programs Expand, Disputes Rise Over Tax Breaks | As religious organizations extend their scope beyond traditional worship, government at all levels is increasingly extending their tax exemptions. (October 10, 2006)

Religion-Based Tax Breaks: Housing to Paychecks to Books | Churches and ordained clergy of all faiths get a series of tax exemptions that secular organizations and workers do not (October 11, 2006)

Sharing the Health Bills | Religious exemptions are being tested as more medical bill-sharing ministries compete with businesses that are not eligible for the same breaks. (October 20, 2006)

Faith-Based Profits | A New York Times editorial (October 16, 2006)

Christianity Today's article 'Get Out of San Francisco' describes Battle Cry's problems in that city.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

December 2006, Vol. 50, No. 12