What would happen if the United States government tried to ban your religious denomination?

Question

I'm an Atheist, but this is pretty disgusting to me as an American. In the late 1880s the US government tried to shut down the Mormon Church. Total violation of first amendment rights.

I think thered be such an uproar.

Answer 1

Surprise....They are already doing it,at least they are on their way of doing it. Makes no difference to me. The government will never make me give up my God.

Answer 2

It depends on how offensive your beliefs were.

Polygamist Mormons are always going to have trouble. Peyote loving Indians run afoul of the DEA. Religious sects that promote the marriage of people below the age of consent will be prosecuted. Some animal sacrifices have faced legal challenges. Muslim headscarves can be banned in certain occupations and locations where a person's identity must be obvious.

Clearly, a law banning a religion by name is unconstitutional, not to mention impractical. However, religious belief is not an immunity to prosecution for illegal behavior, no matter how prevalent the belief.

It is a long held principal that the government must give extra latitude if religious beliefs are raised when passing laws restricting behavior. When the government meets that high standard, religious beliefs must yield to our legal system.

As an atheist, I'd think that would work for you.

Answer 3

The government should ban all worship of anything you can't prove exists. I should be allowed to worship the Sun, or Scarlett Johannson for example, but not invisible, intangible, imaginary beings. I think that believing that such things exist should be grounds for being committed to one of our fine state-run institutions. There should be an exception for children, who should still be allowed to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Jesus. I think that any politician who votes against medical progress, such as cloning science, genetic engineering, or stem cell research, on religious grounds, should be exiled to Alcatraz. I think any American who wants to teach "Intelligent Design" in public schools should be imprisoned for Contributing to the Deficiency of Minors. As for the First Ammendment, when did the government ever abide by it? Shouldn't I have "freedom from religion"? So why are so many laws based on some religions moral code?

Anyway, I think we all know how the average American thinks. You could ban everyone's religion as long as you don't ban theirs. How many Christians would vote in a second to outlaw Islam or the Church of Satan? 90% or more I would wager.

All religious cults including Christianity, Islam, Voodoo, and Elvis Worship should be banned from the U.S. and the world.

Answer 4

I am a Mormon Fundamentalist and this is my reality. My Mother lost her job because of her religion two years ago I know because that is the only reason they gave. I know some day my Husband could be thrown in jail. I know many from the 1950's raids where they took peoples kids from them. It's very wrong and there is much to answer for.
On the other side "Are you willing to stand hell or high watter for what you believe in" is tested.

Answer 5

Read the history and see that the Mormons were busy plotting treason and a pile of illegal activity. That is why the US Government was seeking to shut it down. Does this change your view of what happened?

Answer 6

A few years ago , Waco , Texas was the object of just such a thing . There was QUITE AN UPROAR . Research it .

Answer 7

Did you also know that in the state of Missouri it was legal to kill Mormons from 1838 until 1976?

Answer 8

If it was a Christian denomination, I'm sure Christians would be upset, but we'd find ways to worship. Worship is not solely about meeting in a building. If it were a non-Christian denomination, the ACLU would have their backs, and they'd have nothing to worry about.

Answer 9

there are Still today Native American rituals that are technically Illegal to preform.

for years they made any native spirituality Illegal it was in the 60's that they finally passed a law to make it legal for the native americans to practice their spirituality.

I am a Celtic Pagan. if they tried to make my beliefs illegal most of us would simply go underground again. and just waite to see what hapened in the near future. if they did it to someone else then we would seek to join them..and so on and so on untill we had enough people to make a difference in the voteing practives of the country. or enough to wage a war, but violence would be the absolute last option that i would consider. but sometimes you just need to fight.

Answer 10

Wow.... have you got the story wrong.

You must have read the "Authorized Latter Day Saints History of the Church"

The actual account by unbiased witnesses is much different. Once you have educated yourself, let me know and we can have an actual intelligent conversation on the topic.

Answer 11

There will be an uproar if the U.S. tried to ban any religious movement.