We understand the need of possible discussions and debate on the topic of a healthy relation between the Church and State. It is incredible to see the rapid change of religious culture in the West and Christian oppression in the East. Henceforth a thought provoking discussion not merely would help us Christians but also water our traditional faith.

After giving thoughts and contemplative meditations on this theme I have tried to put down my thoughts in words.  I will not be speaking for or against the theme. Nevertheless I will be presenting to you on both the side so that it is possible for you to measure my thoughts to come to a concrete conclusion.
 

I. Not in need of such a relationship:

Authoritative Religion Vs Humanitarian

Our religion is not an authoritative one. “My kingdom does not belong to this world; if my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities.”

For more than two thousand years Christianity celebrates the good will of being a Humanitarian Religion and not Authoritarian one. As the titles themselves explain the meaning, the former one emphasises in the members of Religion as the co-workers of the Holy plan of God. It is possible that one begins to feel that the proximity of God with His people through the Mystery of “Emmanuel” made some of His beloved people go far away from him.

History tells us the tales of those religions that fall into the category of authoritarian religions which still are grasping to establish a good will in the history. Their fanaticism, inability to draw a clear line between authority and spirituality could be the basic reason for such a struggle. Freedom of conscience and heart does not have any place in this regard.
 

A Wedding with Culture rather than State:

If politics and authority almost always are symbols of possession, pride, filth, worldliness... (Apart from its systematic organizing and governing capacities) it is no worth marrying a cultured and comely Church to such a notorious bride called.

Both the East and the West are known for celebrating and preserving their culture. Today every celebration and ceremony is so much saturated with culture like LIGHT FESTIVAL in the East, (India among all types of religions) and the CARNIVAL, before the beginning of the Lent, in the West, in Spain... Culture is the pillar for preserving society, and so Church should be certainly married to him.

The point here is to preserve the religious culture before even it fades away rather than trying to introduce a new culture. A very simple example could be the youth of Europe although do not turn to churches or attend masses nor even believe in God but at least the way they pronounce the name of JESUS, when someone sneezes. It seems funny, yet contains truth.
 

We Have a Governing Body:

State is a systematic governing body to facilitate people to live morally. Church already has a governing body. What could be adequate for the Church is to revise and renovate the way of governing according to our time and place. This is something that which the mother church is trying to do in the east.  Inculturation is an authentic example.
 

Ethical view:

Government propagates morality.  But it in no way can contribute to the sense of neither consolation for virtue nor desolation for the sins of the people. It does the job of ‘policing’.  Nevertheless, what surprises people is that She could be able to have an access to enter into the personal life of so called ‘modern people’ to discuss with them on matters of abortion and the like topics. But poor children of the Church, they fail to know that it is the responsibility of the mothers to worry about the future of her child!
 

By Will? Or by Force?

People think that we are selling our goods trying to give them faith. Or trying to gain customers for our religious ceremonies. In fact we are culpable for some instance for such an unbearable mentality. Time and circumstances share their culpability for losing of good Christians in the church. A few who willingly practise this beautiful living of Christianity do it on their will and faith. State with its compulsion and force might pervert faith. State could propagate morality and not faith.
 

The culture of prayer:

This culture, not slowly, but rapidly has disappeared. Family rosary is prayed in very few families. Thank God, at least religion is taught in schools. I wonder what state could do to improvise this state and invest faith in the hearts of the youngsters.
 

II. In Need of a relationship between Church and State:

Thanks to those golden eras in the past where important royal figures have contributed to the growth of the Church.  The example of Constantinople could remind of such a contribution.  We tend to feel that as the world runs to towards somewhere without any goal, may be it will not be a bad idea to encourage a healthy relationship between church and state.

We are living in such an era where we need to (if not propagate faith) at least preserve it BY HOOK OR CROOK.  By HOOK I would mean the CHURCH and by CROOK I would mean THE STATE. If it is almost impossible to do with the former and we see that such a relationship would result in giving birth to a new and constructive Christian living society, Our Lord himself will be pleased to see it. And He will say “IT IS GOOD.”
 

The Good Shepard and State:

Many a time we begin to feel that our religion has been too good to be strict on its members. May be it is the ripe time to give colour to it. Our Lord should forgive me if I be cruel.  The symbol of the good shepherd has played a good role in our culture. But now it is time for a good Shepard who not only goes out looking for the lost sheep but also could bring it and penalize it in front of the other 99 so that tomorrow another sheep would begin to realize that it is wrong to go astray.  This role of punishing could be done by state. Can State, then, be a good shepherd? If so, let us encourage this relationship.

Let us draw a few practical conditions for this relationship.
- if such a relationship could bring the faithful back to the Church
- if it attract the youth and guide them to participate in church activities or give them a taste of inner silence
- if state in no way play the role of iconoclast nor break the image of christianity by its way of ruling
- if state promise to preserve the holy catholic culture, then it would be a concrete and a healthy relationship.

God Himself spoke to our forefathers in the past. He spoke to us through patriarchs and prophets. He then tried with his own Son. He continues to speak to us through His Son’s words, life and his Spouse, the Church, the communion of saints. He does speak to us through our own experiences of life. It will not be a surprise for us IF THE SAME GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH STATES.