Cultural commentator Albert Mohler addressed the controversial issue of state-led secession on his podcast last week, as rural areas across the country seek separation from either the federal or state governments. in texasFor example, a minority of Republican leaders want the state to consider seceding from the United States. illinoisMany rural counties want to create new states separate from Chicago. in Oregona small number of rural counties want to join Idaho.
Mohler mentioned the issue of state-sponsored secession in response to a question from a 15-year-old who asked, “Is there ever a point in time when it would be considered biblically permissible for a nation or group of nations to secede?” did. What about the US? ”
The Bible's answer is clear, Mohler said. The constitutional question was answered in the 1800s, he added.
“America went through a terrible Civil War over this issue,” Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Mohler said on the podcast. briefing.
According to him, the northern states do not recognize the secession of the southern states.
“Rather, it was treated as an act of treason, and it was a revolt in the southern region,” he said. “So, at this point in time, we need to recognize that as far as the U.S. federal government is concerned, secession has never existed. In other words, one might say that secession has never been successful.”
The 1869 Supreme Court case Texas v. White held that states could not unilaterally secede, but only with permission from the federal government.
“That's really important. So we're not saying states can't leave the union. They're saying they can't unilaterally leave the union, and the only way for a state to leave is with the federal government. That means the states have to agree. In other words, good luck. That's not going to happen,” Mohler said.
He said pro-secession states “are saying that if they have a right to join the state, they also have a right to secede.” But Mohler said the “federal government's argument” dating back to the 1700s is that states have no such authority.
Mohler then turned to the Biblical argument.
“Was there ever a time when a state would be considered Biblically obligated to secede from the United States if there was a Biblically acceptable reason? Well, of course,” he responded. “Although the Bible is a superior authority to the United States Constitution, I cannot imagine a situation in which it would be constitutionally possible for a state to secede from the Union.
“But I have to say that we are looking at a situation of cultural stress in the United States, where we are already used to talking about red states and blue states, and the divisions between states are very I can imagine it could be dangerous.” However, I must say that I do not see any adequate justification for allowing them to withdraw from the union. So I'll just cite the Supreme Court's opinion and stop. ”
Photo credit: ©Facebook/Albert Mohler
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
