Introduction
During the Roman Empire, Church and State worked together. However, several events occurred that separated them, these included the splitting of church, which later led to various reforms in States. Today most States such as United States and United Kingdom, assume secularist governments that make and apply their laws without necessarily consulting religious sectors.
This has fuelled a number of issues ranging from disruption of prayers in public schools, to institutional conflicts. This paper will explore and identify one of the main issues facing the State and Church; it will also endeavor to recommend solutions to the same.
Contemporary Church/State Issues
The church and State have had several issues for centuries, most of which still remain unresolved. These issues have instead increased, leaving the question as to whether they will ever be resolved unanswered. Among the issues that face Church and State are separation of Church from State, secularism of the state, Disputes on symbols and mottos as well as conflicts between institutions of State and religious institutions, among others.
One of the main issues surrounding Church/State conflict is the role of Church in a State. In most Countries, such as United States and Britain, secularism and cults have infiltrated their policies and law courts. This has continued to draw the Church away from State.
Churches no longer correct States; moreover the States have enacted laws that give people freedom of religion. United States is no longer a Christian nation by law. Moreover, the church has been isolated by State, even though it is willing to provide guidance and advice whenever called upon. The Church feels cheated by State since basic structures of States have been infiltrated by what the church believe, are ungodly (cult and secularism).
This separation, although not uttered publicly, can be seen in the way State conducts its duties as well as the constitution (interpretation of the first amendment). There is no clear boundary given to the Church, however with growing secularism and cults whose symbols take stage in most States, the State’s position becomes clearer, that State has chosen to work without the Church. In fact, nowadays Church guides States only on invitation.
Conclusion
Church usually tries to guide the State on issues likely to affect people’s focus on God. Nonetheless, this rarely happens in recent times. Both the State and Church feel obliged to lead the people, and this fuels further conflicts as they try to control the population.
The State is increasingly moving away from Church with more infiltrations observed in its structures and institutions, mainly in the name of freedom and democracy. Cult has taken shape in most States, and this has greatly affected the Church’s influence on State policies. As it looks, The State is increasingly drifting away from Church.
Recommendation
Going by the happenings in the contemporary Church and State, it is increasingly becoming clear that State feels adequately prepared to work without the Church and so they move in opposite directions.
However, Church knows that the State cannot stand alone; it needs guidance and counseling. Church should therefore keep seeking to help the State in every way possible, maybe in the future, the State will embrace it, but even if these issues are not resolved, Church should focus on its duties, or at least what it’s allowed to do, for the good of people.