Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!iuvax!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian
From: plaisted@cs.unc.edu (David Plaisted)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Separation of church and state
Message-ID: 
Date: 12 Aug 89 02:05:23 GMT
Lines: 18
Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu



A recent posting asserted that Constantine supported the separation of
church and state.  I find this disturbing.  Obviously we are using
the term ``separation of church and state'' in radically different
ways.  The use of the same term with entirely different meanings,
engenders misunderstanding.  Constantine promoted toleration of
Christianity, which is compatible with the separation of church and
state.  However, he also passed legislation favorable to Christianity
over other religions.  In addition, he passed Sunday legislation that
discriminated against those Christians and Jews who kept the Sabbath
on Saturday.  As the head of the Roman pagan religious system, he had
the title Pontifus Maximus.  I do not know if he assumed the same
function with regard to the Christian church.  Still, this does not
mean that he promoted church state separation.

	Dave Plaisted
	plaisted@cs.unc.edu