How did freedom OF religion become a crusade of freedom FROM religion?

Question

Why do so many of the athiest religion (or cult) try to prevent any exposure of religion in public whatsoever?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the 58 Member States of the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948 defines freedom of religion and belief as follows: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance."

In U.S. law, freedom of religion is codified in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which declares: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

Answer 1

I have wondered this myself.

In response to some of these other answers, I don't see any tax dollars being spent when students pray before a football game. I don't understand how the words "under God" make the Pledge of Allegiance cost more tax dollars to say. How is taking "In God We Trust" out of our mints going to make the production of currency less expensive.

Here is the answer to your question. Just as Christ calls on his followers to evangelize to save others, Satan calls on those within his grip to bring others into the dark. Athiests feel an internal drive to prove they are "right" by seeking laws to back them up. This "drive" is actually Satan whispering in their ear to do his will.

Answer 2

I can't practice my religion of atheism if I am compelled to participate in your religion.

I suspect that if Hinduism rather than Christianity were the dominant religion, you'd agree that freedom OF religion doesn't exist without freedom FROM someone else's religion.

Notice the wording of the 1st Amendment. It isn't simply that congress shall make no law establishing a religion, it's that Congress shall make no law even respecting the establishment of a religion. The only way to do that is for the legal system to be completely void of religion, while simultaneously placing no restrictions at all on the private exercise of religion.

Answer 3

But the other side is just as bad. There are extremes in every group and you are only expressing those extremes. Not all atheists are like that... just as I am sure not all Christians want the US to become a theocracy. You can practice your religion anyway you see fit... but the part of "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." was mainly to keep congress from saying "You have to be a Christian to sit in office." The laws for seperation of church and state was to keep religion out of the gov't... and in like turn, to keep the gov't from telling ANY religion what they can or can not do according to their religion. This all mainly started with the Puritans in Mass. who were running things according to their interpretation of their religion. Among others...

But, I do have a question. How is it that Christianity in the US has a tax exempt status when even their savior paid taxes?

Answer 4

I don't think religion is being locked away. People are more then welcome to practice in anyway they choose in their own lives. However, I don't think religion needs to be a part of government. I don't need it in the courts or in the school systems. Religion is a private thing and, while it is nice to have it be a big part of your life..you simply cannot demand that it be every where. Not everyone worships the same god or believes the same thing. So why force it down upon everyone in a public manner? Just imagine being the minority here.


You are free to worship your god. Definitely. No one is beating down your door and calling you evil. No one is keeping you from church. No one is closing down your church and forbidding the teaching of the religion. No one is arresting you for believing what you believe. How is that being silenced? You have the right to worship as you see fit. With all that in mind..I don't understand your gripe here. You're not being oppressed. No one is.

Answer 5

Because freedom OF religion is really freedom from EVERYONE ELSE'S beliefs.

The original inspiration for seeking "freedom of religion" was to allow the Pilgrim's a place where they were away from the Church of England's reach and rules. They came to America so they could practice their whacky psychotic version of Christianity (yeah, remember those delightful "witch" burnings? Yep...pilgrims)

Freedom OF religion would mean that everyone-not just you- would be FREE to believe whatever they choose to believe.

YOU people want to MAKE all the rest of us believe what YOU believe by FORCING us all through laws to comply to YOUR belief systems or suffer some legal consequence.

Where, pray tell, is the "freedom" in that for me?

The only way to insure that EVERYONE has the freedom to believe what they want to believe is to keep PERSONAL BELIEFS OUT of ANYTHING that governs us as a people.

Can you understand that?

If you can not, then imagine for a moment that in 2000, Wiccan, Buddhist, Jewish or Native American followers had massed together and voted one of "their" people into office and was, right at this moment, attempting to pass laws that favored "their" religion and would affect how YOU live your day to day life. Essentially FORCING you to comply to their version of the creation myth or to their definition of karma, reincarnation, worship rituals or soemthing else that is not part of your life right now.

How does THAT feel? Not so good anymore, is it?

Well THAT is what you and your kind are "up to."

You can't see it when you ARE it.

Religion is a PRIVATE practice, as personal as your daily personal hygeine routine, your private sex life, your personal comedy preferences, your fashion choices, your book and magazine choices, your definition of art, your food preferences, your language spoken in your home, etc.

And THAT is where it should stay.

Religion should NOT be tax exempt. Religion should NOT have a place in public arenas.

Answer 6

Actually, there are many very religious people -who belive that GOVERNMENT should not endorse or reflect influence by religion simply because there are so many differing religious beliefs-that the government in reflecting one religious view may be not respectfulm or even at odds with another religion. I think you might appreciate this more if, for instance you lived in a predominantly muslim country and they taught childrenin all schools that Christians and Jews, for example were ignorant and that Islam was the only true religion, so it would be ok to hater them(
christians and Jews). This is actually the situation now, for example in many muslim countrys-like Like Saudi Arabia).

so you see, that the founding fathers of this country wisely thought that ALL religions (including atheist) could belive as they wish-and that religions are best protected when the government stays out of religions altogether. In other words, there are many very religious people like myself-who belive that government should not favor or disfavor any religion at all.

Answer 7

I believe that it began when some groups of people tried to force their particular version of religion on another. It is one thing to affirm what you believe, it is another to prostylitize to others. Nothing good in the history of man has ever come of this. When a select few try to impose their mores onto another few, destruction of one of them is eminant.
If someone wants to get up on their soapbox and espouse their views, I have no problem. Keep on talking, but understand that I have the right to ignore you. Do not keep coming to my door. Do not "minister to me". I do not push my views on you, please reciprocate.
All to often, when a political process is ursurped by those who want to create a theocracy from a democratic republic is when issues arise. I am not just talking about Christians here either. If Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, etc. were the ones doing it, I would have the same issue.
Churches, religions, etc. should concentrate on what they deal with... the sublime, and leave the wordly concerns to the worldly governments.

Answer 8

Because we don't want to see your religion and we don't want our children to see or hear about your religion. Why don't the Xtians support public Pagan rituals, or Satanic worship sessions in public. As soon as this declaration of human rights is observed and respected equally without fear or without witch hunts, then, and only then, in an atmosphere of respect, will this problem go away.

Answer 9

Your UN and US Constitution citations were excellent clarifications to the issue.
I believe that there is a growing concern that some religious extremists in the United States are trying to create a Christian theocracy. While I share the beliefs of the old fashion Christian denominations, it concerns me greatly that Christians would try to create a theocracy like Iran.
I want to be free from that kind of bigotry and intellectual tyranny. I want to be free to worship as I please or not to worship as I please as long as my religious preference does not interfere with the free exercise of the religion of others.
Religious interference in the exercise of the rights of others is a violation of our Constitutionally guaranteed rights.
There is no such guarantee in Muslim theocracies and we should not follow a bad example.

Answer 10

No one is trying to prevent religion in public. What lawsuits are being filed is to prevent taxpayer money from promoting specific religious beliefs.