Gordon Clark: Church and State (The Southern Presbyterian Journal)

1955. Church and State. The Southern Presbyterian Journal. Dec. 7. 6.

Church and State

By Gordon H. Clark

The Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary at Maywood wanted a government loan to build a dormitory. The Housing and Home Finance Agency denied their request on the ground that it would violate the principle of the separation of Church and State.

So it might. And with the government's reputation lor lax financial procedures that would not be tolerated by an honest business concern, loans to ecclesiastical bodies could always raise the issue of favoritism.

But if there should be no such loans to Lutherans, how is it that the government made a forty-year low interest loan to St. Joseph's College, a Romanist institution, in Rennselaer, Indiana? Perhaps it is because the Roman church does not believe in the separation of Church and State that they are given such loans.

Or perhaps it is special treatment awarded to Indiana. In Indianapolis in the last few years there has been a board of censors, appointed by the Superintendent of Education, to examine the books used in the public schools. This board of censors was composed exclusively of Romish priests.

Then, just recently, the Romanists have created huge crucifixes in the public parks of some northern Indiana towns. This was done by the permission of the government officials.

But it is highly un-American to grant a loan to Lutherans. The State must in no way aid Protestants.