Separation Between Church and State? - Proposition 8

I was listening to the radio yesterday and the host was talking about the separation between church and state in the context of Proposition 8 that passed not too long ago in CA. Separation between church and state has to exist and does indeed exist. However, what does separation between church and state mean?

I believe that in order to answer my previous question, there is a need to state that God is sovereign over all. Also, I want to point out that Romans 13:1 says:

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Another point that needs to be pointed out is that whether we are Christians or non-Christians, atheists or believers, we are all subject to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So, whether or we follows Christ or not, we will be judged when Christ returns. In the different ways, the government and individual people are both subject to God. As the parable of the talent shows us, each individual or group is given a different amount (thing) to be responsible for. So, the government's "talent" is to govern, while the people have different responsibilities; one being to follow the laws of the land.

However, even though I think that there needs to be a separation between church and state, that separation is so that the government does not govern the church, and so that the church does not govern the government. However, as a Christian, I feel that my responsibility toward government is that laws continue to be Christ-centered. I feel that it's the same as being in community. My friend Tristan and I sharpen each other and call each other out when things are not Christ-centered. In the same way, I feel that the lay-Christian must do the same with government. In order to help governement fulfill its duties towards God. Since, as quoted before, there is no authority except that which God has established.

So when voting (if I indeed was able to vote since I am not a citizen yet) on prop 8, I would have voted yes because I need to recognize that I am supposed to keep the law of the land continuously reflecting the face of God.

I guess that someone can then say that God does not want disunity and sees everyone as equal. I also think that someone can also say that God looks out for the poor and the minority. Especially when it comes to people's rights. But I would ask this: What is more important, to look at this from the people's perspective, or to look at this issue as to which response would give God more glory. I feel that God also wants unity among His people.. IE, those that have accepted Him as LORD. When Jesus prayed about unity in John 17, He spoke of unity between Him and the Father, His disciples, and all of those that would be in Him through the message of salvation that the disciples proclaimed.

One of my friends also pointed out that now most homosexuals are upset with the Church since basically all of the Church, or a large percentage, voted Yes on prop 8. Well, not to be too blunt here, but so what? Even if I voted no on prop 8, I would still be totally against the homosexual lifestyle. Hence, homosexuals might not like the Church now, because I'm holding up another one of God's ideals.

I think that no matter how anyone looks at it, there needs to be a recognition that both church and state have different functions and that these functions are both subject to God. All will be judged... even those people goverment... And all will be judged as to how they lived or did not live a Christ-like lifestyle.

Another possible argument is this: what is more important, minority rights or keeping a Christ-like lifestyle in our society as a whole or individually? Furthermore, who is to say which one of those two is above the other?

That's a harder one. But, I believe that even though one could be more important than the other, or even though they might both hold the same weight, if one of the two allows for evil(sin) to occur, then the one that allows that sin to occur automatically becomes second in order of importance.

I need to work this out in writing:

Consequences of YES on 8:

1. Society not as depraved
2. Sexuality not lawfully okay
3. minority rights not given to homosexuals

Consequences of NO on 8:

1. Society becomes more depraved.
2. Sexuality now lawfully okay
3. minority rights not given to Christians as a population

I think this last #3, again going back to the government being under God whether they like it or not, shows that the LORD always favors His people, since His people are supposed to be following His law. Supposed to be... But anyways, this last point sounds a little confusing to me and it's late, so I'm not going to rephrase it. If you have questions about this or want to talk about this then ask and I'll take the time to answer.

I'm basically saying that the rights of God's people according to God's laws will always be higher in hierarchy than people that are not of God.

That last point was a bit abrasive.