Freedom of religion?

Question

Why are people offended by religious display?
Our laws guarantee us freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.
The same people who preach "tolerance" get pissed off when they see a manger scene on public land during Christmas, and get kids in trouble for praying at school. Why?
I know some of you are like this, maybe you can shed some light.

Answer 1

I don't kow, but I think freedom of religion should be just that, freedom to express you religious beliefs anytime, anywhere, no matter how old you are or what profession you are!!! I think if a teacher wants to lead her class in prayer she should be allowed to do so, just like and atheist has the right to express his disbelief if he chooses to!!! Just like the theory of evolution is taught in school, then why can't the Theory of Jesus Christ be taught as well? Chrisitians need to stand up for our rights, we need some lawyers out there taking this to court, standing up for our religious freedom!!!

Answer 2

It's not only Christian displays, it would be any religious display. I suspect that if there were a specified place where all religions interested could put up displays together, there wouldn't be too much complaining.

There are many other places for people to show and practice their religion without using public areas. Intended or not, allowing one group, even if they are the majority to put up displays without giving equal time to all others is seen as public acknowledgment of that group.

To have nothing there is not favoring the non believers. It's favoring no one. They don't stop churches from putting up manger scenes. Even if they tried, they'd be wrong. Public land is just different.

There is nothing wrong with praying in public school. There is something wrong with the school leading or promoting prayer. Public schools are for everyone and everyone no one should feel excluded just because they practice a different religion.

We have the right of freedom of religion. We have the responsibility to ensure that it's the same freedom for everyone.

Answer 3

The problem with prayer in school is when it's a school wide, teacher led type deal in a public school. Not letting an individual child prayer is just wrong. Using state or federal land is too much an endorsement of a particular religion, especially if public funds are used to provide the display. And claiming that other religions can put up their own displays if they want to, isn't an adequate solution, because a) smaller groups may not have the funds to do a display and b) areas with a lot of different groups may not have the space for all of the different displays. But nobody's arguing against your right to display what you want on your own land, or decorate your churches or privately owned businesses any way you want. Not using public areas for a religious display does not prevent you from following your religion. The first amendment basically says that the government can't make laws regarding religion, ie: preventing you from practicing your faith or endorsing a particular religion.

Answer 4

The only problem is when the religious symbols displayed are of only one faith, which tends to establish that faith as the more-or-less official religion of the government, which is clearly (and wisely) prohibited by the First Amendment. If this offends you, it is because you assume that your views are the ones that will be official and will always remain so; however, if the government insisted on some religious principles different from your own, you would probably be just as irritated as those you criticize -- though the fair-minded would not judge you so harshly as you have them. Like it or not, there are many, many people who do not share your beliefs about religion (some perhaps in your own church), and you have no reasonable right to use the force of law to compel those people to pretend to share your beliefs, quite possibly violating their own. That is simple arrogance on your part.

Also, you mis-state the facts when you suggest that children get in trouble for praying at school. That is simply untrue, and must be a mistake, unless you are a liar. Religious activity that does not disturb the educational function of public schools is certainly permitted and protected by the First Amendment. What you probably object to is that the school authorities do not compel every child to pray in the manner you believe they should, which is very different from the false situation you portray.

Answer 5

Many europeans came to America because their home countries had an established state religion and persecuted you if you didn't practice it. The framers of our Bill of Rights knew this and wanted to make sure that the U.S. never had a state religion, or a religion that was supported by the state or limited by it. It should, therefore, be illegal for a public institution to require any act of faith, including prayer or a pledge that affirms the existence of God.

However, because the vast majority of our citizens are Christians or Jews, we have always taken it as given that a non-denominational mention of God was OK.

When confronted with this issue, I always ask the Christian who is bringing it up to look at it from the other side. Would you, as a Christian, want to send your kids to a state-supported school that required them, every day, to affirm that we are one nation under Vishnu? Or that we are one nation united in our belief that there IS no god? Would you want your kids to be required to bow to Mecca five times a day? Would you want to spend money that says 'In Ceridwen We Trust'? Because that's how a Hindu, an atheist, a Muslim, and a Wiccan would want things done if THEY represented 90% of all Americans and YOU were the minority religion.

Here in America, the majority rules, but the minority has the right not to be overruled.

Answer 6

from the opposite side of the board.... i don't believe in god. i was raised christian but left it for my own reasons many years ago.

personally, i really don't give a darn about any from or religious display, with one small exception. if it's on public land then it's only fair to publicly display more than just the manger scene. throw in a menorah too, at least.

what pisses me off though.... is the lack of tolerance i get for not believing in god and not wanting to be brought back into the flock. i've read the bible all the way through at least twenty times. it's not lack of education or lack or religious schooling that brought me to my beliefs. the unwillingness to accept my spiritual beliefs as being a valid, worthy, way to live..... yeah. that one pisses me off.

i guess the basic answer is that most people are offended by things that complicate their world views. i offend many christians because i complicate things for them. and sometimes, they do the same for me.

Answer 7

You raise a good point. I have to admit that I like colourful displays, Sikh parades,christian nativity scenes etc. but I do have to admit that if you put it on a piece of public land, city hall or school yard I resent it. Tolerance and freedom stops when you put it on a piece of property I am at least partly paying for. Do it in your own backyard fine, on mine no. Freedom of religion is the right to practise your religion without imposing on others. This is why the proper worship of the Aesier is frowned upon. Decomposing bodies dangling from yew trees even on your own property is disheartening and disgruntling.

Answer 8

As a Christian, I believe our symbols should be used to advance our beliefs. When displays are placed on public property, often they are placed to benefit the politicians who curry favor with believers. To non-Christians, the displays may be offensive, but to some of us who believe, they are offensive because of the purpose for which they are used. As an example, the state Supreme Court justice in Alabama who placed the 10 Commandments in his court room appears to have done so less out of belief than to stir the cauldron and obtain political gain. As soon as it was obvious the courts would no uphold him, he made it his rallying cry for higher office.

Wear your symbols, display them in your yard, put on live manger scenes at the church, but make sure that the display is for reasons of belief, not show and tell to obtain votes. Its a wearisome battle that goes on between those who want to claim the right to place symbols on public property and those who believe that that is not the place for them. Unfortunately, too many get drawn into the battle without knowing the full story or the consequences.

Answer 9

Actually I am annoyed that in certain areas including shopping centres they are not allowed to have a Santa What does that tell you.
Also I remember manger scenes outside a church - home departmental stores etc.I mean what's the go.
Why is it that all of sudden we have to downplay religious icons etc. Who was it hurting.??
It has all come to fruition since the Islamics and Muslim intervention and complaints from there so called high priest. (whatever you want to call them). complaints on who - what and where.

They now have there own School and Church practically running rampat with there beliefs, but we are not allowed to say anything blaspheme in anyway.
I know the Irish can be a pain in the proverbial, but they're not totally unreasonable. At least you can have a drink and a joke with them. But this lot leave a hell of alot to be desired.
I've always believed when in Rome do as. I don't know what happen there.

Answer 10

I'm not particularly religious and I don't get the uproar. If you think religion is a cöck'n'bull story, then why do its symbols and celebration bug you?

Personally I think it celebrates religious diversity to have various times of year when different major religions do their thing - on public land too. Most of the year the stuff's not there so the anti-religion crowd actually gets their way most of the time.

.

Answer 11

These people, along with the aid of the ACLU and similar groups have an agenda.

It's not a conspiracy or secret, they make it very plain with their law suits and dialog that they want to make major changes to this country.

Are you aware that in NY, the Jewish and Muslim "logos" are permitted, but no Christian depiction of the nativity scene is allowed - even during the "winter holidays" (that's ACLU talk for Christmas)?

Small towns cannot afford to fight the lawsuits brought against them by the ACLU, and that effectively gives this group control over what is and isn't allowed for religious paraphernalia on public displays.

It's a sad commentary, eh?