In this election season, as most Americans, no less most Christians, get riled up about who our next President will be, let's take a moment to look at what some of our Christian brothers and sisters had to say about church and state, before the two became inexorably linked.

Perhaps a little perspective may be gleaned.

They charge us on two points: that we do not sacrifice and that we do not believe in the same gods as the State.
- Athenagoras

The Christians form among themselves secret societies that exist outside the system of laws...an obscure and mysterious community founded on revolt and on the advantage that accrues from it.
- Origen

He called Abraham and commanded him to go out from the country where he was living. With this call [God] has roused us all, and now we have left the state. We have renounced all the things the world offers.
- Justin

I recognize no empire of this present age.
- Speratus

We are charged with being irreligious people and, what is more, irreligious in respect to the emperors since we refuse to pay religious homage to their imperial majesties and to their genius and refuse to swear by them. High treason is a crime of offense against the Roman religion. It is a crime of open irreligion, a raising of the hand to injure the deity...Christians are considered to be enemies of the State...we do not celebrate the festivals of the Caesars. Guards and informers bring up accusations against the Christians...blasphemers and traitors...we are charged with sacrilege and high treason...we give testimony to the truth.
- Tertullian

Because we do not make any distinctions in rank and outward appearance, or wealth and education, or age and sex, they devise an accusation against us...
- Tatian

"If everyone were to act the same as you Christians, the national government would soon be left utterly deserted and without any help..."
- Origen, quoting Celsus

So, who are you voting for?

Grace and Peace,
Raffi