As there is a temporary homeland and a permanent heavenly home, we must pass the first faithfully until we reach the eternal one. Thus, Pope was not wrong when he said that the homeland comes before the church as it is a written commandment to give what belongs to Caesar to Caesar.
The Islamists commit a big mistake when they underestimate the homeland and consider their religion a homeland. This can t happen as the homeland is the place where we are born, educated, work, inhabit and die. Yet, religion can t do this to us to be considered a homeland.
Giving what belongs to Caesar to Caesar has a deep philosophy as it advocates the civil state and distinguish between the city of God and the earthly city.
Fourth: From the teaching of Jesus Christ, we learn that respecting the law is important and we have to respect both religion and the state. Our fathers martyred as they refused to follow Caesar against God. Nowadays, Copts are accepting martyrdom through prosecution and insults on daily basis.
Fifth: We must respect our spiritual and religious leadership so that we can live in peace. We should also pray for those who are in leadership position. St. Paul says in this regard: (Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,)
Father Matta al-Maskin says that the rights of the state starts and ends on earth, while God s rights don t have limits. However, the two rights should complete one another.
There is no contradiction between the right of God and the right of Caesar, and there is no equivalence between them. The right of the homeland is to do one s work with honor, trust, knowledge, courage and steadfastness. The right of God is the right of the soul, with its good qualities such as obedience, humility, love and forgiveness. The two rights produce a healthy and constructive society.
