What is meant by, "Freedom of Religion?

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   cjhunsingerposted 10 years ago

   What is meant by, "Freedom of Religion?
   
   There were many attempts by Christians to insert such beliefs and dogma directly into the US Constitution and to have the Constitution support a Christian mandate of belief. The most famous incident was a request from the Bishops of Danbury CT., which was rebuffed by T. Jefferson. Should the US Constitution be amended to make Christianity a State sponsored religion, as is Islam? Should America become a theocracy or is freedom best left to a secular State?
   
   

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   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Freedom of religion should also incorporate freedom from religion. No, there should not be a state sponsored religion - that very notion is a removal of freedom. If we want a truly "free" country, religion must remain a personal choice.  Everyone should be free to practice their religion in their home, church, temple, synagogue whatever.  They can even pray silently wherever they are, but no, religion should never be brought into the public arena. If we allow one, we have to allow all of them.  Frankly, I want nothing to do with any of it and that is my right. There's room for all of us. Those who want God in schools for example, can pay to put their children into a private school, or they can home school.  They do not and should never get to mandate prayer in public schools.

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      cjhunsingerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Christin--I think we have disagreed before, but not this time. Perhaps there should be a question, as too, where in the Constitution can a religious principle be found, that this country was founded on such principles?

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Is not prayer in schools a freedom that should be afforded to those who want to pray? There can be a silent prayer and they can pray to "any" God that they choose. No prayer takes away that freedom.

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      cjhunsingerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      JT--Does Jesus not command that prayer is best done in a closet? I think so. That some children are allowed to pray in publiic; are they not violating that law? What of the others during this time or is that irrelevant?

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      cj.... You are taking that verse way out of context. Christ was talking about the Pharisees drawing attention to themselves by praying and being boastful while doing so. One does not have to utter a word to pray. Silent prayer is not hurting anyone.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      If it's silent none of us will ever know it's happening. If it's scheduled it is no longer silent.

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What is wrong with having a scheduled silent prayer every morning. Im sure all who are religious would love to pray to their God. Whatever religion or God they serve. "Freedom" of prayer would be fine. Also the pledge of allegiance should be recited.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      If they are true Christian children why would it need to be scheduled? Do they need a schedule to pray on? It seems pointless If parents teach a child to pray and the child embraces that belief they won't need a scheduled time.

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      JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      peeples..... It is very simple.. just call it a moment of silence and let those who want to pray.. pray. Why are you so against a moment of silence? What is said to God is between that person and God. I would want my children starting the day this wa

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not against them praying silently I am against it being scheduled. Could you imagine if they had scheduled religious activities for Muslims and every other religion? Would you be okay if an announcement came on every morning for a Muslim prayer?

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       JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Sure.. if they prayed silently. This is the point I am trying to make. Muslim, Christian, Buddhism, etc. Just say a little prayer or remain in your seat for one minute. Just one minute??

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       ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Take your one minute at home before you leave for the day like everyone else. There doesn't need to be time allotted for that during a school day.

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       JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Why not Christin. There sure used to be. Also for bible study, prayer, the Pledge of allegiance, etc. There is plenty of time. And we wonder why kids are so disrespectful these days? The writing is on the wall. What is so sad is most kids want this.

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       ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       If kids are disrespectful it's bad parenting not lack of prayer. My kids haven't prayed a day in their life, yet are always commended for being kind to others and team players.

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       cjhunsingerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       JT--As you point the irrelevancy of the word of a god, what other words of his, in the bible, are irrelevant? or is it a matter of  modern convenience?

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       JThomp42posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Yes.. I agree it is from bad parenting. But, what one calls bad parenting... another would consider normal.  So.. who is right and who is wrong? It is just like everything else I suppose...... Debatable

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       Setank Setunkposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Does your bigotry and intolerance extend to the Gay Community. Should they keep their life styles secret like in the past so as not to bother you? Is this your right also?

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       ChristinSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Setank, this question has nothing to do with gay rights (which I support) It is also a two year old question.  Why not ask a new question about that topic if it interests you.

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   tsmogposted 10 years ago

   The first question is perplexing. How can 'Freedom of . . . anything' occur unless it does occur? That is how I ponder today and am open minded in regard. The best explanation and most certainly not my own is this quote:
   
   "Freedom of religion means freedom to hold an opinion or belief, but not to take action in violation of social duties or subversive to good order," Chief Justice Waite wrote in Reynolds v. United States (1878)
   
   It seems to me today that means "Freedom of Religion" means it goes both ways. The first clause is infinite. There is not any limitations placed upon it. One may have a belief / opinion there is a God and one may have a belief / opinion there is not a God. To limit one or the other is to limit "Freedom of Religion".
   
   The second clause is finite held to "social duties" and "good order". It is kinda' open ended and open to interpretation most significantly with the prescription of present laws governing and future laws guided by 'social order', of which that is dynamic and fluid. Laws can be created governing this or that way while also those laws can be dissolved as the tide changes sort to speak.
   
   The second question proposed is IMHO a definite 'No' as prescribed by the first amendment.
   
   For the third question, IMHO, I think it is best 'Freedom' be best left unattached to theocracy or secularism. I do not feel those have exclusivity to "Freedom". In other words I tend to think "Freedom" is independent and autonomous of both of those ideologies.

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   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   Freedom of religion is just what it sounds like - the freedom to practice your religion without interference from the outside. Should the government choose one religion and make it the national religion? NO! Part of the amendment is that the government can't do that. The only way to have a state sponsored religion - one that is the only one legal to practice - is to rewrite the amendment. I'm a Christian, but I'm sick and tired of other Christians demanding that our religion be the standard and law for everyone else in this country.

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      cjhunsingerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      sheila
      Understanding that you are Christian, I applaud your answer.

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      jlparkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      +1 to sheila! Well said, and almost word for word what I was going to say (aside from the being a Christian) Thank you for saying it for me.

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   Robert the Bruceposted 10 years ago

   I have a Christian friend who tried to convince me that the Constitution was designed to protect the freedom to practice Christianity---not other religions. This of course is incorrect. The founders of the these United States wanted to ensure that the government was not managed according to the dictates of any single religion. They believed in the freedom of the individual.
   
   It's true that society is in some ways moving away from Christian practices. This is natural as society changes. For hundreds of years Europe was dominated by the Catholic Church. Today, most European countries are considered secular. History shows us that religious dominance changes with time.

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   pattyflorenposted 10 years ago

   Wasn't it Abraham Lincoln who said "It will all become one thing", I believe those are the exact words.  If the government wanted to have only one particular religion to be national, then instead of having a democratic or republican government, there would be a clash of ideas, principles, ways of doing things.  Is that sort of a "socialist government" or like the "war zone"?
   Just asking!

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