The fundamental characteristic
– to be emphasized, especially nowadays – of Christian preaching and action
within the world is non-violence. Love, the practice of virtue require liberty.
In order to understand the orthodox attitude towards the state it is crucial
to see that the latter cannot support a certain group within society unless
it 1) transfers a part of taxes to it and/or 2) issues regulations that
favor the said group. Both ways of favoring imply the use of violence, a
principle opposed to the orthodox liberty and voluntary spirit. The notions
of “state church” or “Christian state” must be dismissed as futile attempts
to reconcile realities incompatible from the point of view of action. Church
and state separation means no more than recognizing that love and beauty
cannot be the outcome of government legislative fiat or subsidies.