From the Publisher

   _And Jesus said: "_Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them
by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs
from thistles, are they?_" (Matthew 7:15-16)

   The words of Jesus in these Scriptures are at the very heart of this
focus on Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) and
their allies.

   Read this section carefully. Think about the philosophies advocated
by the organizations mentioned and the "fruits" which they have produced
(or are attempting to produce). I believe you will come to the
realization that the information contained in this section strikes at
the very heart of most of the problems facing Christians and our nation
today.

   It is a historical fact that America was firmly established upon the
precepts and principles found in _God's Holy Word_. The _Bible_ was the
primary source for formulating the Constitution, establishing our
national moral conscience and educating the youth of our emerging
nation.

   "Separation of church and state" and "religious liberty" were two of
the most important philosophical concepts dealt with by our founding
fathers.

   The true concept of "separation of church and state" was brought to
America in 1620 by the Pilgrims who recognized that God had ordained
both the church and civil government each with separate purposes: the
purpose of the church being basically to impart grace, mercy and truth
in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the purpose of civil
government being basically to maintain order and justice.

   _Civil government was never meant to run the church or vice versa_.

   Our founding fathers saw the concept of "religious liberty" in
biblical terms -- the freedom to worship God in accordance with
_scriptural instructions_. They knew that "liberty" in general, had to
be defined by God's law; for without God's law, "liberty" was nothing
more than "license."

   _Our founding fathers unanimously agreed on freedom of religion, not
freedom from religion_.

   Now that the true and historical meanings of "separation of church
and state" and "religious liberty" in American have been established,
one can understand how "separation of church and state" cannot possibly
constitute the separation of Christian ideology from our government. It
is also apparent that our founding fathers' concept of "religious
liberty" was never intended to be used as a means of destroying or
systematically rejecting the fundamental Christian tenets upon which our
nation was built. "Religious liberty" was never meant to be used as a
tool to eliminate the primary source of our nation's conscience -- the
authoritative source for determining good and evil -- the _Bible_.

   As you will learn from this special section, AU and their allies on
the Left have dramatically different interpretations of the concepts of
"separation of church and state" and "religious liberty."  You will see
how AU and their allies are using their distorted interpretations of
these concepts to literally separate God from government and restrict
Christian influence in both the legislative and educational processes in
America.

   For AU and the Left, their concepts of "separation of church and
state" and "religious liberty" have proven to be the ultimate vehicles
for the suppression, isolation and (if all goes well according to their
agenda), the eventual eradication of all Christian influence from our
government and society.

   What is the driving force behind this attack on Christianity?
 "Separation" and "religious liberty" are just the weapons.

   As with any movement or organization the answer can be found in its
philosophical outlook. AU and their allies are promoting and imposing
what _Scripture_ identifies as a "worldly philosophy" upon American
society -- a philosophy known as _Humanism_ which places man, rather
than God, at the center of the universe. (See _Humanist Manifestoes I &
II_ pages 14 & 15.)

   The apostle Paul issued this warning about "worldly" philosophies:

   "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty
deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the
elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
(Colossians 2:8)

   There are many people involved with AU and their allies who truly
believe that what they are doing is right. They love our Lord and our
nation and sincerely believe they're trying to protect our religious
liberties. Unfortunately, they've been deceived -- and "captured" by a
false "worldly" philosophy.

   Others however, know exactly what they are doing. By their actions
they have shown themselves to be of the world and have embraced the
world's philosophies. They've ""exchanged the truth of God for a lie,
and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator"" (Romans
1:25). "They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint
of the world, and the world listens to them." (1 John 4:5.) They are
indeed, "false prophets" and "ravenous wolves."

   It is my fervent prayer that those who are involved with AU and their
allies will examine the information contained within this section. It is
also my prayer that those who have been deceived will see through the
deceptive philosophies which these organizations are promoting --
renounce their allegiance to these organizations and fall to their knees
before Christ with a repentant heart.

   We must pray for those who have been deceived. Pray that the Holy
Spirit opens their eyes to what they are doing to our nation and God's
people.

   Our nation is being destroyed by these organizations and the false
doctrines they're promoting. Folks, as a nation, we cannot continue to
turn our back on the Lord. We must reinstate biblical Christian values
and principles as the primary directives of our national conscience. We
must once again make our nation truly -- "One nation...Under God."

   If we don't, we will suffer the consequences of our sin and the wrath
of God will surely fall upon us -- just as it has on every nation who
has turned its back on the Lord.

From: St. Louis MetroVoice, May 1995, Vol. 5, No. 5.

