Our present system is unique in world history, because over and above its physical and economic constraints, it demands of us total surrender of our souls, continuous and active participation in the general, conscious lie. To this putrefaction of the soul, this spiritual enslavement, human beings who wish to be human cannot consent. When Caesar, having exacted what is Caesar's, demands still more insistently that we render him what is God's — that is a sacrifice we dare not make!

There is no New Testament basis for a linking of church and state until Christ, the King returns. The whole Constantine mentality from the fourth century up to our day was a mistake. Constantine, as the Roman Emperor, in 313 ended the persecution of Christians. Unfortunately, the support he gave to the church led by 381 to the enforcing of Christianity, by Theodosius I, as the official state religion. Making Christianity the official state religion opened the way for confusion up till our own day. There have been times of very good government when this interrelationship of church and state has been present. But through the centuries it has caused great confusion between loyalty to the state and loyalty to Christ, between patriotism and being a Christian. We must not confuse the Kingdom of God with our country. To say it another way: We should not wrap our Christianity in our national flag.

Two orders of mankind are the enemies of church and state; the king without clemency, and the holy man without learning.

The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.

In all ages, hypocrites, called priests, have put crowns upon the heads of thieves, called kings.

All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All separated from government are compatible with liberty.

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.