Is the constitutional protection of religious freedom as important today as it was in the past?

Answer 1

In some ways yes, in other ways no......

yes we are free still to have any religion we choose, no one is going to stop us from practicing the religion we choose,


but in other ways, we seem to be lacking the "Religious freedom" we used to....... if we have so much freedom, why cant we have prayer in schools? why cant someone have the 10 commandments outside a building without thousands of people trying to get rid of it? why cant we have Christmas instead of the holidays? Why is it when i go to work, i could get fired for saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy holidays?" why can't schools have the nativity scene, or teach about the birth of jesus on christmas, but can have the menorah, teach about the passover or talk about other religious holidays?

Answer 2

I don't think it's ever been more important. Too bad so many Americans believe we have "too much" free speech--all we need to do is look at places like North Korea to see what a lack of freedom is really like. Check out the first link below for a blog entry I wrote recently about the importance of protecting free speech and freedom of religion.

Answer 3

It's one of the main cornerstones of our country and way of life, so that's an emphatic YES. In the present day we have many people seeking to legislate their religion into everyone's lives. Vigilance is key and people's minds have been sparked to thinking more about our freedoms these days in light of restrictions due to terrorism, i.e. tapping of phones without legal warrants; and the thankfully failed efforts to add discrimination to our Constitution. Right wingers will always cry that this is a Christian country and they want their laws to reflect that. Moderate people tend to float along and not take action either way until they are startled by something outrageous taking place. Folks more to the left are acutely aware of the freedoms we have to protect and are always on the lookout for the fanatical religious who seek to impose their own moral stamp on the rest of society. It's always been a battle and will never cease - it's as American as apple pie.

Answer 4

Every bit as important, if not MORE important


oh and angry granda forgets the establishment clause:


"congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion"

The constitution thus provides for freedom OF religion as well as freedom FROM religion.

hey angrygrandma, how about you not trying to pick & choose from the constitution the way you pick & choose from your bible, huh?

Further, you might want to educate yourself on the fact that the words SECULAR and ATHEISTIC are not even remotely synonymous.

The US has a secular government, but that does not mean that it's atheistic.


why do people promote lies on this board?

you seem to think that your freedom of religion means that you're free to use the government to force it on others, and you couldn't be more wrong.

get an education.

Answer 5

Totally. Any body that is organized such as religions are, will constantly be trying to be the dominant "Religion" over the others.
Our founders did it because they saw what happens when one faith dominates or conflicts with another over power, ultimately it leads to death and misery. If we didn't have these protections America would have torn itself apart then and now.

Benjamin Franklin is the reason it is in our constitution and he wrote extensively on his reasoning and it is sound. Ironically he was a major financial contributor to all the various churches and belief of his time.

Answer 6

Freedom of religion also means Freedom From Religion

Answer 7

Yes, if not especially at this time. With the majority of people in America being Christian, it's only natural that any other religion will feel a bit closed in. And this goes even moreso for Muslims, with all the bias against them.

Answer 8

Definitely

Answer 9

i wasn't around in the distant past...
maybe some native americans will answer this and
they can tell you how their religious freedom was protected.

Is that the constitutional protection that you are talking about?

Answer 10

I think even more so today. Just look at some of the "Hate" questions against Muslims or even Atheist. I don't want to worry about someone trying to send me to hell, just because they believe I belong there.