Thank God we’re not as far gone as North Korea, but we’re definitely headed that direction. Christianity Today reports that government officials raided a Christian church service and either executed or jailed all 23 in attendance. The report observes:

Being a Christian in North Korea is considered one of the worst crimes by the oppressive government. All citizens are forced to adhere to a personality cult revolving around the worship of the current dictator and his deceased father.  No other religious beliefs are allowed in the country.

As exemplified by North Korea, the alternative to religious freedom is totalitarianism and worship of the state. If God is taken away, people will attempt to find meaning in life by worshiping something. Professor Esbeck correctly points out in his treatise on the Establishment Clause that religious freedom and “theism work [ ] to the benefit of democracy and the state” through, providing meaning to life apart from the State, limiting government (thus avoiding totalitarianism), and teaching morality.

We’re still a long way off, but make no mistake, recent attacks on religious freedom here in the U.S. open the door for unlimited government, and eventual persecution of the Church. North Korea is a great example of what we’re fighting to avoid.

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