Do You Have Religious Freedom?

Religious Liberty

Recently, there have seen some disturbing events, inside and outside the U.S. restricting religious freedom. My attention was first drawn to this when the movie “Noah” was announced. United Arab Emirates and Qatar banned the viewing—due to depictions of prophets…this is a no-no in the Muslim faith. Nevertheless, what about the Christians? The Jews? The Hindus? The agnostics? Don’t they have a say in movie watching? Not in these countries apparently. I believe the best governments in the world embrace religious liberty—and all religions. Governments that are run as a theocracy are hindered by what I call myopic control.

History has shown that when a government is in complete control of religion, dissent will follow. I said government, not society. Many societies operate just fine if they accept one religion to live by, but when leaders try to force religion upon its citizens that’s when it gets hairy. The reason for this is what’s called FREE WILL. It’s up to people to make up his/her own mind as to what religion (if any) is acceptable. Religion is a way of life, the outward practice of an inward faith. Faith and belief system varies according to how one views God

In America, the state does not promote religion; people are able to make up their own minds as to their belief system. Some would say that government must have morality to make good laws. And I agree. However, laws must be based on a common agreement by our citizens…a common thread that pulls us together, not push us apart. That is why it isn’t an issue (to the over 90% of faith) to have the 10 commandments posted all over government offices in the U.S. Virtually every religion can relate to it. In a nutshell, it says we should love God and respect others.

Our government has embraced all religions. But when a country decides to limit the choice, disappointment, hurt, and anger arise in its people…ultimately resulting in a revolt. This shouldn't happen in the U.S. because, as crass and debase small parts of our society may become, the rest of us have the freedom to choose and participate in the faith of our choice. Some have said that most wars are started because of religion—and there may be truth to that. But not in America. Disputes yes, war no. Why? Because we have no partiality to any one faith; therefore, war over religion is eliminated. It's my contention that it isn't religion that starts wars, it’s the exclusion of religion that starts wars.

I agree with Law Professor Carl Esbeck.  “When government uses religion as a tool to achieve its political goals, the danger to religion is that it becomes a courtier in the halls of State.”  As a U.S. citizen, it would seem crazy to have the government force a religion on me, or for that matter, forcing me not to believe. That is why (Thank you Thomas Jefferson and friends) our constitution allows us the freedom of religion. The founding fathers used God in many of their speeches, the name of God is minted into our coins, and even the IRS allows us to deduct our donations from taxes—proof of America’s approval of religion. It has worked very well for the last 300plus years and is, in my opinion (to be discussed at another time), why the U.S. has been so successful economically and otherwise.

The Constitution’s First Amendment specifically says it prohibits our country from making laws that don’t respect or allow the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech, and so on. Whether you have a strong or weak faith in God, you have the right to practice those beliefs.  Unlike some countries in the world, we cannot, and should not, force our own beliefs on others. Religious liberty and freedom of speech is a common link between us and key to what makes this country strong and the cornerstone of society.  That’s because everyone has a stake in this, even those who don’t have a faith in God. Faith is a journey of belief, not a destination.  If we prejudge how a person thinks, we become intolerant and take away their ability to continue in that journey of discovering their beliefs. Therefore, regardless of our differences in belief, we must safeguard not only the religious liberty for you, but the lives of all Americans.

In closing, it is my privilege and right to be able to say God Bless America!

http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/09/town-of-greece-symposium-can-government-actively-favor-a-religious-practice/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/147887/americans-continue-believe-god.aspx