The state has the right to challenge false groups that masquerade as churches. In the Old Testament the state had the right to prosecute idolatry. James Bannerman in his classic study of Reformed church polity, The Church Of Christ, cites two groups that in his day were candidates who would Biblically lose freedom for some of their practices. These were the Mormons and the Jesuits. The Jesuits were notorious for employing subversive tactics to bring about the influence of Popery.
Secret societies are, in their very nature, dangerous and unconstitutional . . .
This teaching by Bannerman may shock those who have in their reaction against intrusive government become almost anarchistic in how they view state authority. The state has the right to monitor subversive organizations bent on the violent overthrow of our government. There are some Islamic groups that fall into this category. Some Roman Catholic orders in Latin America have been used as Marxist front groups. As Christians we should always defend the sovereignty of the church.