Christians, do you ever really think about freedom of religion?

Question

As a very little example to explain what freedom of religion is: Pure freedom of religion doesn't mean one particular god on a Pledge, it means all gods and no god on a Pledge.

When it comes to the western world, Christianity is the majority religion. In this R&S section I see all sorts of minority religions (Pagans, Wiccans, Buddhists, etc, etc) and atheist complain about the lack of real freedom of religion.

I also see many Christians claim even more rights for their majority god. This claim is made under the name of 'freedom of religion'.

As with every freedom, my freedom ends where yours starts, and vice versa. That's the basis of Freedom.

Being a member of a majority religion, does a Christian ever really stop and wonder what freedom of religion implies?

Answer 1

MOST of the "Christians" who are obnoxious, impositional, and are whiningly insisting upon promoting the destruction of the separation of church and state (e.g., forcing 10 Commandments displays in PUBLIC lands and buildings; having "under God" in the Pledge, and having "In God We Trust" on the money of a nation that's no more a "Christian" nation than it is a "white" nation) --- are RRR Cult losers who have 'WAY too much time on their hands, and no respect for either individual liberties or common sense.

Fortunately -- RRR cultists comprise only 6% of the USA's professing Christians. The other 94% (i.e., ACTUAL Christians) have far more important things to do. Like mowing the lawn, or deciding what to watch on TV. And DON'T seek to pretend that the 17% of Americans who aren't Christians don't have equal rights.

Answer 2

"As with every freedom, my freedom ends where yours starts, and vice versa. That's the basis of Freedom."

I disagree. If I in some way try to limit your freedom in order to maintain a sort of Christian nation, then that is the only time where I infringe on your freedoms. Other than that, we can coexist. Government just has to show no particular favor to one or the other. That doesn't mean religion has no place in government, it just means if someone wants to be buried under a pentagram instead of a cross, they have that right or if they want to swear under oath under a Koran or "The God Delusion" they have the freedom to do that as well. Our freedoms do not clash. I would argue that that has to be the true meaning of freedom. I wish to preserve our individual rights to choose which God or gods or no gods to serve. It is the way the Creator has always made it.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian who is very thankful for the religious freedom we have in America. I'm sure that at times I take it for granted, because I'm a sinner. I can't imagine what it's like to live in China where the government is essentially the religion or the Middle East where religion is the government.

I agree with what you say about freedom & equality--where my freedom ends yours starts & vice versa. That's why the role of secular government is so important, to uphold the rights of all people. And that's why there has to be limits on freedoms even in religion. It can't be okay for someone to kill another person & claim "freedom of religion".

From a Christian perspective, the Gospel or Good News cannot be forced on someone by the Church, but the Law must be enforced (not by the Church), but by the secular governemnt. If America throws away the gift of the Judeo-Christian Biblical Law, they throw away a mighty good gift--for it is the foundation for laws that give the most equality to the most people possible.

Ever heard of Luther's Two Kingdom theology? It is an excellent worldview for believers & non-believers alike. it's very relevant to your question. Read articles here: https://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Lutheran%20Witness/Witness%20jn%20july05.pdf (pp.9-11)
and
https://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Lutheran%20Witness/WitnessJan07.pdf (pp. 17-18)

Answer 4

Some of these answers are really *weird.*

"Go to a Muslim country and learn about "freedom of religion.""

So if Saudi Arabia's record on religious freedom is worse than America's, that's good enough?

Are there degrees of "freedom of religion" or is it a yes/no proposition? For that matter, are there degrees of any of our other rights and freedoms? If it isn't total freedom of religion, is it actually freedom of religion, or just freedom of your religion. This is what the asker is talking about.

And pusherhombre's comment, "It leaves the citizens free to worship anyway they choose in a peaceful assembly in accordance with the precepts set in the BIBLE." (emphasis mine) Holy cow, where does it say THAT in the first amendment?

The founding fathers were in favour of a secular government.

Curiously enough, GWB, perhaps the most religious fundamentalist of presidents, went to war to topple the only secular government in the middle east!

Answer 5

Honestly, I think, to some extent, folks don't understand exactly what it is they've got. I think, because they're in the majority, a lot of Christians simply don't understand that they've got it easy when it comes down to religious perks.

At a time when they're being told by a number of religious conservatives that their religion is "under assault", any loss of those perks (or even a sharing of those perks) can seem pretty threatening.

I think if they had to do the whole "mile in our moccasins" thing, they'd understand a little bit more that non-Christians aren't trying to attack Christianity, we just want our shot at an equal playing field.

Answer 6

wookie - why take offence if your god cannot be mentioned in a school? for many years christianity was the only religion mentioned in schools. perhaps it is anothe religion's turn to take the stand!
i would prefer it if all faiths, beliefs and religions were mentioned in equal measure, presented as theories and children allowed to make up their minds as they grew older, regardless of what their parents' views were:
i have my particular beliefs, but if my children decided to each follow a different faith, or none at all, i would not be upset but respect their wishes

ps i cheated as i'm not a christian but wookie's reply needed a response!!i am sure some christians acknowledge AND respect freedom of religion - i work with a lady like that - but the 'fundamentalists' will never see beyond their blinkers i'm afraid!

Answer 7

I think that the freedom of religion is a great thing. God gave us a free will. He did not even cure a handicap while here in a human form, before He asked if the person wanted to be healed. Jesus knew that sometimes we prefer to be in the state we are because otherwise the change demands a responsibility.

You have a choice to make. At least you are allowed to make it.

Answer 8

Interesting how many of them twist it to mean they have the right to special privileges.

If it's freedom of religion and not freedom from, on those grounds I'll agree atheism is a religion.

To be fair, it can be very hard for privileged people to learn to share the cookie jar. It isn't easy.

Answer 9

look what they did to the different religuos people

The Land Letter was a letter sent to President George W. Bush by five evangelical Christian leaders on October 3, 2002 which outlined their theological support for a just war pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. The letter was written by Richard D. Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was co-signed by Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Bill Bright, chairman of Campus Crusade for Christ, James Kennedy, president of Coral Ridge Ministries, and Carl D. Herbster, president of the American Association of Christian Schools.

Answer 10

It would be easier to understand freedom of religion if you lived in a Muslim country. There is no freedom of religion. You convert to Christianity, you lose everything- family, friends, employment. We take freedom of religion for granted in the U.S. because we have never experienced its absence.