ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 24, 1992                   TAG: 9203240434
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHURCH, STATE EVER STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

I AM WRITING in response to the March 9 letter by John Ayres, "Outlaw ministers' running for office." This nation was founded upon Christian principles by folks who sought a better life for themselves and their families.

Those who traveled to the shores of this great land more than 200 years ago were looking for an opportunity to express not only their religious but also their political beliefs. To run for a political office is a privilege and an honor.

The separation of church and state is a right afforded us by the Constitution of these United States. Church and state have been strange bedfellows since the days of Jesus Christ and will continue to be so until his second coming.

Regardless of political party, if I ever found a candidate, male or female, and of whatever race or creed, who professed Christian values and tried to the best of their ability to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, that person would get my vote. REV. C. SKIPPER MATHIS JR. Minister, Collierstown United Methodist Charge LEXINGTON 


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