I keep hearing this claim from Christians in US that while freedom OF religion is my right, it by no means should be interpreted as freedom FROM religion.
What does that supposed to mean? Are you implying that even though I'm free to choose any religion I want, I still MUST to pick one or I may be forced to do so???
2006-12-12 05:20:22 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, they are just staking their claim to being perfectly happy harassing those that do not want to hear about their religion.
2006-12-12 05:23:26 · answer #1 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 7⤊ 3⤋
Freedom of religion implies freedom from religion.
You cannot have the former without the latter.
Whoever is claiming that Americans do not have freedom from religion is simply not much of an American.
2006-12-12 13:35:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
~~~ asker ,,,, In the US, one also has freedom FROM religion in the sense that none can be forced upon an individual,,, especially a state sanctioned religion. ,,, More accurately though, The Consititution and Bill of Rights gives an individual The Freedom of Thought and The Expression of that Thought(s) (ideas). ,,,, and if those thoughts involve a Spiritual Belief of a Creator, then one is 'free' to follow that ideal, WITHOUT persecution. .
2006-12-12 13:31:06 · answer #3 · answered by Sensei TeAloha 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is implying you have to pick a religion. You can have any, or no religion. You just cant ban others from expressing theirs. As much as it would be nice to not have people on street corners spouting scripture and telling you that you will burn in hell, they are free to do that.
You can't ban churches, or expression of religion from private individuals. That is the freedom FROM religion some want. But it doesn't work that way. You will always have someone trying to shove their religion, or opinion on just about anything, down your throat. That is their legal right. Just the government cant support it.
2006-12-12 13:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is an attempt by Christian fundamentalists to somehow prove that they have a right, as the "majority religion", to exercise some greater freedom to be presented and promoted in the country. They believe that they have a greater right to be represented in public ceremony and gatherings than do the rest of the religions.
They believe that "One nation under God" (Added to the pledge of alliegance in the 1950's) grants them some greater privilege than other religions. They believe that this country was founded as a theocracy, and that liberals are stripping away rights granted to Christians by God.
They wish to reclaim this fantastic view of the past that Christians supposedly were granted special favour in this country to exercise their faith to the detriment of others. Perhaps, some day, they'll even be able to burn witches again!
2006-12-12 13:28:31 · answer #5 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I haven't heard that. I think that it is suppose to mean that there is freedom for to have an establishment of religion and no one can take that freedom away from others.
2006-12-12 13:34:02 · answer #6 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow..that's a first. I haven't heard that one yet!
I guess, if I was told to "pick a religion" I would just make one up.
Or maybe, just make Atheism a "religion" since people like to bulk us together into one large group anyways.
2006-12-12 13:25:53 · answer #7 · answered by Heck if I know! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "
I don't see anything there requiring me to be religious.
2006-12-12 13:26:28 · answer #8 · answered by Let Me Think 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Even if you, by law, had to pick a religion, how would the government actually enforce that? People can be idiots.
2006-12-12 13:25:48 · answer #9 · answered by JC 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That pretty much sums it up.
I only realized a couple of weeks ago that such people not only exist, but there are quite a few of them.
Every day I spend on YA makes me less and less impressed with humanity as a whole...
2006-12-12 13:23:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋