Do You Agree?

Question

Do you agree that the Freedom of Religion lets you be free to worship any faith you choose? To be able to live your life in any religion you choose without the fear of harassment, violence, or discrimination from others? To be free from listening to some person on a soapbox shout things like "It's my way or the highway," "Follow this faith or be hated," and "You're religion isn't allowed."? That the Freedom of Religion also grants you the Freedom FROM Religion, meaning you have the right to choose what you want, or do not want to believe, without having some person in a suit telling you that you're wrong? That this grants you to be free from having religion forced upon you? Do you agree that the Freedom of Religion means you can be Pagan, Atheist, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or anything you choose without being persecuted for those beliefs? Anyways, wasn't this country founded by people fleeing religious persecution? So why do so many people practice it?

Yeah, it's a lot of questions crammed into one, I'll admit to that.

Answer 1

Yes, I agree. People forget that freedom from religion is just as important as freedom of religion. I wish more Christians had a respect for that, and would consider that point before demanding things like prayer in schools, and creationism taught in science class. Everyone is free to believe whatever they want of course, but let's also have respect for those of different faiths, and those who choose not to take on a religion, by having a society that's based on logic, reasoning, and science.

As a Wiccan I have certain metaphysical beliefs about the nature of the world and the afterlife. However, I certainly don't think it would be appropriate to teach those beliefs in a public school, or demand that my personal religious beliefs be the basis for any laws.

Answer 2

WOW!
I have said this so many times to my aunt who is for lack of a better phrase/word a "bible thumper".
Yes freedom of religion allows us to choose what we believe and choose to practice, as well as gives us the freedom from those beliefs that others have, that is why there is seperation of church and state.
Now, religion is forced at you from every direction, but there is nothing that can be done, people look at you as though you are horrible if you speak up about it.
I love that you threw the fact that this country was founded by those seeking freedom from religious persecution.
The puritians were persecuted in England by the presbyterian church, and so as a whole they decided to move to America so that they could be free to live the life that they chose.

Why do people practice persecution?
Because it is human nature. Those that are different from you become an outcast, an outsider, they are 'different'.

Answer 3

Even though it's a written freedom, the practice of it still needs a lot of work. People tend to treat it as more of a guideline than a rule (kind of like the speed limit: it's OK as long as you don't get caught). I'm not so sure about freedom FROM religion, as that would start to encroach upon someone else's freedom of speech (as intolerant as it may be). As a Pagan, I've been discriminated against and harassed a few times. I figure it's their own problem, not mine.

It doesn't help though when the popular dogma spews that "anyone who doesn't think like us is wrong." Without different methods of thought and practices, where would we be? It's really sad that people are brainwashed into believing such intolerance.

Answer 4

well, let us said, that this Country was essentially founded by people from England mostly Protestant, that found their self, between the Choice of been Catholic or not Catholic, Protestant where unwilling to accept the need for celibacy in the Catholic Church. so, let said that was the beginning of Christianity in U.S. of America. Though know a day's, and I may be short, there is more than 400 Churches, religious groups and sects in this Country alone. So, what was the protestant church good for?, to make others groups, and religions, become a non-profit organization, and live from the government, and of the fears of peoples and I mean Old, peoples that perhaps they have found out a little to late, that God truly exist?, I assumed. what else, is new, yes, though as the way things are going freedom is even shaky, I think you mean freedom of expression and a non-allies between the Government and any Church. Recently I learn that the widow of the founder of Mikey D. Mc Donals left Billions of Dollars to the Salvation Army, which is not only a shelter for Homeless, but also A Church, and their moto, is "Fire and Blood?, this made me think about their Philosophy, of course a charitative organisation?????, yes there are many question My religion is my own, I respect the ten FCommandements, us Law, I believed in Jesus sacrifies, for the better and the salvatioon of Humanity, and believe in One God, as well that in the Holly Spirit.<< Know is there is other Imported religions for me to practice I will not do it, because I'm not in their terrain, there Umbrela will not reach me. Pagans, atheos gnostic, are non-believer, in the divinity, and sublimity of The Father and the Son. Amen. is there another Good religion other than your own base in the true about God creation?.

Answer 5

I see that u r grappling with some fundamental moral issues. U r absolutely right when u say freedom of religion should include the freedom from religion as well. History tells us that the great religions of the world have been, and sadly still are, the worst terrorists. I do believe that a religionless earth would be the next best thing to "paradise".

Answer 6

Er, we have a right to practice our own faiths, but that does not imply that others do not have a right to preach theirs. That "person on a soapbox" has every right to be up there, shouting all he wants, as long as he brings his own soapbox and does it in a public place without interferring with others' rights.

Furthermore, that "person in a suit" has the right to tell you that you're wrong. That is by no means the same as "forcing his religion onto you".

When the ACLU sues to shut down a religious display, it is not because people do not have the right to voice their religious beliefs. It is because governmental resources are being used to support that display, and of course those resources are public property, not to be used to promote a religion.

There are some very fundamental misunderstandings about this, which apparently lead believers to falsely believe that the ACLU is fighting against religious expression, and sometimes lead others to believe that individuals do not have the right to religious expression.

I could put a sign on my lawn saying "My God is the only true God", and because I'm an individual expressing my religious beliefs, I'd have every right to do that, and the ACLU would never consider suing me over it (Think otherwise? I challenge you to find a case - you won't).

But if I put that sign up on a public building, or use public funds to put it up, it's fair game for a suit, and in fact should be removed, as I'm certain you'll agree if I tell you that my God is the one you think is Satan.

Those who think that freedom of religion does not imply freedom from religion, I invite you to move to Afghanistan and join your Taliban buddies. This is the United States*, and generations of soldiers fought for that freedom that you're so callously dismissing.

* At least I'm assuming that's the country we're talking about - correct me if I'm wrong.

Answer 7

I do agree, and I believe many others agree as well. I do think that religion brings people together, but whether or not they use their group to love or to discriminate is a good question. I think religion should be used as a force of good, rather than a force for people to band together to prove that others are wrong or inferior. Most religions state that all people are created equal and that all people should be loved. I think if you get the group to seperate, and you hear exactly what the individual feels about their religion, they really do believe in love and acceptance. I want to know how some of them push those values aside to hate those that are different.

Answer 8

yeah you have a point there, actually more than one.
What I liked the most is freedom from religion, cause that´s so true. Liberty comes from choosing. Youñre not free if you´re not allowed to. I guess everybody has the right to choose whatever they like,a nd people obsessed with religions is just exactly the same as atheist and pagans.

Answer 9

Man's law does allow you the freedom to choose to worship whatever god you desire. So God allows this as well. If He did not, He would just automatically destroy those who choose other gods over Him.

In a sense, the statements are correct, although it should not be presented in a hateful manner.

Once you die, if you did not choose God, it will be the highway--to hell.

God says that if we are not for Him then we are against Him. He loathes sin. Choosing other gods is sinful. So He would hate your sin in choosing another god over Him.

If you have a religion that does not teach strictly from the Holy Bible, teaching that Jesus came here as the Son of God to die for our sins, that He arose on the 3rd day after His death, that He is our God of whom we should worship, then your religion will not be allowed in Heaven.

When God kicked Satan out for trying to corrupt Heaven with his sinful behavior, God said, no more will anyone ever be able to do this again. That will include trying to bring a new religion into Heaven. There is absolutely no sin allowed in Heaven.

Yes, you can choose these religions on your own free will and you should not be persecuted, you should be taught what it means to choose that in a loving way. What it means to choose that is that when you die, you will not have a place in the Kingdom of God. When you need something here on earth and you are all of a sudden "religious" with the one true God, He does not hear your prayers. The only prayer that God hears from those who are not saved is the sinners prayer asking for salvation. All other prayers to Him from unsaved people are in vain.

Answer 10

I agree with you all the way, my religion teaches me that we have free will so we can do what ever we want and that includes freedom of religions. I do have the right to speak about my religion to any one I like, I just can't force you to listen that choice is up to you. if you ask me to stop I will. but if I am talikng about my religion to some one near by and you can here and they want to hear what I have to say and you ask me to stop I will not because I am speaking to some one who wish to hear and might be saved one day. so I would ask you not to listen or to go else where.