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

Answer 1

Yes, but it will be more up to individuals to enforce Constitutional standards rather than relying on government intervention.

In the past, "separation of church and state" was used to defend religious practice of a Christian group from imposition by government. Today it is used to defend secular beliefs from perceived threats to impose Christian dominance.

The real issue is not "separation of church and state" but "consent of the governed." Regardless of religious or secular views, no groups or individuals want their "consent" to be violated by an outside group or authority. So that is the real issue, not freedom of religion but free will in general.

If we interpret religious freedom to mean free will and right of consent, people should have the right to govern and to be governed as they believe, without infringement on personal security by threat of censorship or oppression, as long as everyone respects the same of others so there is peace and justice.

So by this interpretation, of religious free exercise as free will, this has always been the struggle of humanity, and will continue to surface again and again until this issue is finally addressed and resolved. Freedom is no more or less important as it was in the past, but will rise to a higher level of understanding as a universal right that all people require by nature, regardless if they call it religious or political or intellectual freedom.

It is the same argument, reincarnated over and over, until we establish mutual respect across all institutions and nations.

By its very nature, "consent of the govern" cannot be imposed by government force, but can only be established by free choice.

Otherwise laws contradict themselves, as in trying to separate "church and state" when all laws are, in fact, a form of moral code that reflects individual or collective values and beliefs. Again, the issue behind "religious freedom" is whether or not individuals consent to the standards enforced.

Answer 2

Probably even more so now than when the First Amendment was written as there's more people and, thusly, more religions that need that protection. Back then, most of our forefathers were religious in various forms of Christianity. Now we have everything from Islam to Wicca to Atheism, as well as Christianity that need that protection.

Without it, the government could easily pick a religion, pick a denomination, get real specific, and kick everyone who doesn't follow out. Or execute them. That's been known to happen in theocracies. With theocracies, you have one of three choices. Convert, flee the country, or get executed for trying to defy the system. Take your pick.

Safe to say, I don't think that's your image of America any more than it is mine, so yeah, that protection of religious freedom is very, very precious and sadly, very endangered by people who can't put themselves in another's shoes and think about how it would be if they were suddenly in a religious minority, being hunted down by the majority for not converting and becoming one of them.

Answer 3

In the past, it was to protect one religion from completely alienating and persecuting another. Today, it is to make sure that a business or company will not fire you because they find out you have a different God, or none whatsoever.

To answer your question no, however it is still very important, especially in the international era we live in today.

Answer 4

It is more important now then ever before because there are more religions represented in our country now. We must remember that just because I AM a Christian doesn't mean I can force others to be. and the same goes for people of other religions.

Answer 5

more important because the lib/dems seem to confuse the the notion that there is freedom of religion. it simply means there will be no state religion, which there isnt. but they seem to think if a teacher wears a cross around her neck in the classroom, that is an endorsement of a religion. they are totally nuts of course and their aim is to make us a godless nation so that we can be like europe and be taken over by the muslims.

Answer 6

It is equally important. As Americans we should always have freedom of religion.

Answer 7

There is only one religion, that all religions are OK, if people are believing. In the future, which is happening wright now, people want to know for sure. And than we recognize there is only one force. Force which created everything with love long time ago. justOne

Answer 8

It would be more important today then in past years Because we have a dissolving Democracy. Our rights the rights of the Underpaid, are evaporating as you and I speak.

Answer 9

Yes, especially at the present time because Bush is trying to destroy separation of church and state. The far-right is trying to impose their fundamentalist Christian based "moral" standards into national law.