In a secular state, the separation of government and religion is consciously observed by most of the citizenry. These actions violate the Establishment Clause, which recognizes that religious freedom thrives best when the government stays out of it. “If someone wants to go spelunking for mythological justifications of ethnic superiority, they’ll hit pay dirt in the texts of almost any religious tradition,” he told me by email. The categories most often used are: (1) Middle Eastern religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and a variety of ancient cults; (2) East Asian religions, comprising the religious communities of China, Japan, and Korea, and consisting of Confucianism, Daoism, the various schools of Mahayana (“Greater Vehicle”) Buddhism, and Shintō; (3) Indian religions, including early Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and sometimes also the Theravada (“Way of the Elders”) Buddhism and the Hindu- and Buddhist-inspired religions of South and Southeast Asia; (4) African religions, or the cults of the tribal peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa, but excluding ancient Egyptian religion, which is considered to belong to the ancient Middle East; (5) American religions, consisting of the beliefs and practices of the Indian peoples indigenous to the two American continents; (6) Oceanic religions-i.e., the religious systems of the peoples of the Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand; and (7) classical religions of ancient Greece and Rome and their Hellenistic descendants.

Contempt or blasphemy against a religion can be charged under section 98 (f) of the Egyptian Penal Code. We can do so because he has made himself known to us in his Word and he opens our eyes to that Word by his Spirit. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. Still, it has been difficult to use the words of Jefferson and Lincoln to support special interests and undermine personal freedom. God gives us special gifts and talents so we can live fully for Him? Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Have everyone come in with a list of questions from prospects that have stumped them, as well as some answers they’ve given that have landed the sale.