What is the best way to explain to someone that the Constitution does not exclude religion in public life?

Question

I am not for the kind of religious nut that wants to force religion on everyone, but by the same token, I do not see why the Christian religion is persecuted.

Answer 1

You are both correct and incorrect. The Bill of Rights regulates the government alone, not the people.

But Persecuted? Are you serious?! When is the last time anyone in this country was actually put to death for his belief in Jesus? NEVER. "Persecuted" isn't a good word to throw around so lightly.

Answer 2

Religious freedom is protected by two clauses in the First Amendment: the establishment clause and the free exercise clause.

Establishment Clause
The first of the First Amendment's two religion clauses reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ... .Note that the clause is absolute. It allows no law. It is also noteworthy that the clause forbids more than the establishment of religion by the government. It forbids even laws respecting an establishment of religion. The establishment clause sets up a line of demarcation between the functions and operations of the institutions of religion and government in our society. It does so because the framers of the First Amendment recognized that when the roles of the government and religion are intertwined, the result too often has been bloodshed or oppression.

Free Exercise Clause
"Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise (of religion)" is called the free-exercise clause of the First Amendment. The free-exercise clause pertains to the right to freely exercise ones religion. It states that the government shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

Although the text is absolute, the clause should not be interpreted to mean absolute right to a course of conduct just because it is permitted by one's religion. The courts place some limits on the exercise of religion. The Supreme Court has held that religious freedom must give way to reasonable restrictions that have been adopted to protect the health, safety and convenience of the entire community. For example, courts would not hold that the First Amendment protects human sacrifice even if some religion required it. The Supreme Court has interpreted this clause so that the freedom to believe is absolute, but the ability to act on those beliefs is not.

Answer 3

I agree with you. The Constitution is for freedom of religion but there can be no national religion. That is why prayer is not allowed in public schools. People in the U.S. would be upset if, instead of a Christian prayer, a Muslim prayer was said exclusively in our public schools by the teacher or principle. There would be a national outcry. What if someone said a Jewish prayer in a public school every morning exclusively. The U.S. is now very diverse in its religions.

It only seems like the Christian religion is being persecuted because most people in the U.S. are Christians.
It does seem like an attack on our traditions in many ways but I don't believe that is the way it is intended. Many things will have to be balanced out in order to make diversity work.
If prayer is desired in public places, they will have to include every religion or none or find a prayer that is all encompassing.

Answer 4

you may just feel it is persecuted.. others may not think the same way.. I really don't know how you feel "persecuted" so I don't know if I would agree with you or not.. but anyway...I digress.

Just tell them that not only does the Constitution protect against the inclusion of any religion from government affair, but it also protects against the exclusion of any religion from the private sector for any reason.

Answer 5

Listen up people...The Constitution Guaranteed a separation of Church and State, this simply meant the government was not to be influenced by the church. Remember why the Pilgrims left England...? Religious Freedom...The do..gooders that snivel about prayer in school or the 10 commandments in a public building just want to see their name in print...or the ones who just have to whine about something...

Answer 6

The government should not establish a religion or endorse a particular religion (for example, the Church of England), nor should it mandate which religion people should choose or not choose. That's it. Some people take this too far.

Answer 7

Any religion should not be persecuted. All of them should be exposed for the fraudulent concepts and barbaric superstitions they've presented and supported for thousands of years. Their impediments to progress and cultural evolution has been some of the most horrendous humanity has ever faced. Other than planet changing natural catastrophes, religion has been the most detrimental man made cause of planetary physical and psychological imbalance in history. The sooner gone the better.

Answer 8

Huh?

Ok, have your friend read the constitution. Then talk about how EVERY religion is persecuted by someone.

.

Answer 9

I think he is saying why do we keep seeing the exclusion of it mandated everywhere. No christmas tree here, no in god we trust sign over there. no singing songs during the holidays in school that mention things christian.
Im not a religious person as far as the involvement goes but I think its gotten stupid.

Its that people not only not want to not participate in it they have gotten to wehre they dont want anyone else doing it either.

Answer 10

It doesn't exclude religion, but as soon as religion involves itself in public life it should lose it's tax exemption!