What Does This Mean?

Question

People all the time are saying, "Freedom of Religion, not freedom FROM Religion". So, what does this mean? That we don't have a right to choose not to have a religion? Are they proposing that we throw into prison those who don't have a religion?

Or am I misunderstanding the meaning of this smarta$$ answer that religious people are always giving?

Answer 1

Freedom of Religion means you have the right to choose what religion you want to follow, if you choose to follow one. It doesn't mean you need to have one. All of us are born without a religion, your parents might do some religious practice on you when you're born but it doesn't make you part of that religion. That's why for example, with Christianity, one still has to accept Christ when they are grown up.

Answer 2

religion (n) - a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe

What you are referring to as 'not having a religion' is actually a religion. The fact that you choose not to follow any of the major world religions that we normally talk about means you have a religion that a lot of other people have as well. Or it may be an entirely different religion of which you are the only person.

Answer 3

Freedom of Religion gives me the right to believe as I choose and worship who I choose, in turn, it also gives you the right to believe and not worship anyone or anything. Free to partake in or not partake in religion.

Freedom from Religion would indicate that no religion is allowed. That any kind of religion is not acceptable at all.

The "OF and the "FROM" have very different meanings.

Yes, you have totally misinterpreted what any religious person of any belief is trying to point out. Example, it is actually illegal in some Middle Eastern countries or Asian countries to be caught being anything other than what the government deems as the religion. That is government controlled Freedom FROM religion. The US policy is that you are free to believe and worship or not in any religion you choose. It is not ordered by the government who you pray to or do not pray to or if you pray at all.

Answer 4

Everyone has free will. They can choose whether to follow a religion or not. Freedom of choice. That is given to us by God.

But, the belief that all religions lead to God is false
MATTHEW 7:21-23

There is only one truth

Answer 5

Dang... I see that only 2 out of 12 even came close. "Its not freedom FROM religion" is the noise that christians make when they are railing againsts efforts to curtail school prayer, for example, or against efforts to deny use of public property for religious purposes. In other words, it is one of the ways that Christians claim they are being persecuted because they aren't allowed to force everybody to believe as they do.

Answer 6

You got it !

ACLU etc. have changed Freedom from the Government forcing a religion on people ( like in islam) to=

FREEDOM FROM RELIGION meaning that no one should have a freedom to even express their religous beliefs in public!

Answer 7

I believe that they are referring to the fact they enjoy religious freedom but are offended when non-religious people rail against religious symbols appearing on government property and in commercial establishments during religious holidays.

Answer 8

it means that you may have faith in a religion. But it does not mean that with this faith you will gain freedom. You are free so act like it. believe what you want don't expect anything from it.

Answer 9

Freedom of religion - to belief what you want.
Freedom from religion - no one has to belief anything if they don't want to.

Answer 10

This is nothing more that another Christian attempt to do away with Separation of Church and State. Plain and simple. End of story.