ABSTRACT
The task of the church is to convince people, with all the emphasis at its command, of the truth of the principles and views it proclaims. Religious deeds must spring from conviction; they can neither be purchased by the promise of a reward nor enforced by the threat of punishment. The only assistance that religion can render the state is through teaching and comforting. It can use its divine teachings to instill ideas in the citizen that are of benefit to the community; and it can bring spiritual comfort to the unfortunate creature who has been condemned to death as a sacrifice to the common good. As far as basic convictions and principles are concerned, religion and state are in agreement that both must avoid any semblance of coercion or bribe and that they must confine themselves to instruction, admonishment, persuasion, guidance.
