Governor Togiola says church and state
compliment each other and must work together
During his weekend radio program, Governor Togiola Tulafono spoke at length about the place of religion in government, saying that the subject needed to be addressed because some people have questioned why the government continuously mentions God during its programs when there should be a separation between church and state.
The same debate has been ongoing for many years in the US, with many questioning why the word “God” is in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Togiola’s views on the issue were expressed during his radio program. He referred to the fact that the United States was founded by people who were seeking religious freedom, those who wanted to worship of their own free will and not according to the dictates of the British monarchy.
According to the Governor, the US Constitution grants the freedom of religion and protects the rights of both believers and non-believers.
Togiola pointed out that American Samoa does not draw a line between state and church, and if the territory moved away from God, all of the blessings it continues to enjoy will cease to exist.
In the Governor’s personal opinion, if people choose to remain close to God and be involved in the church, many of the social problems that are affecting today’s families could be prevented or minimized.
“Money is not the solution to these social problems,” Togiola said. “The only answer is God.”
The Chief Executive urges all families to bring back the practice of holding evening family prayer services, and encourages all parents to sit down and have evening meals together with their children.
The Governor, a former chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa - the territory’s largest church denomination - said that government and church have complimentary roles and therefore, must work together.
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