Do we Americans have freedom BECAUSE of religion or IN SPITE of religion?

Question

Mitt Romney gave a speech on faith and government. He said we have freedom because of religion.

I was wondering what specific teachings of religion lead to freedom, here on Earth, because I don't see it.

kveryeff - If order of listing is important please note that the first amendment mentions prohibiting the establishment of religion BEFORE it mentions prohibiting the free expression of it.

Bryan H and others - I didn't ask if there is religion in our constitution (which there isn't by the way) I asked if religion teaches anything about freedom.

sociald, yes I did learn about our independence from England. Quite a stir it caused.

In fact, one of the most Earth shaking things about it was that the upstart Americans dared to declare that the PEOPLE were the source of authority for their government as opposed to the British, whose monarch claimed power granted by God. In fact, their monarch was the leader of their religion while our government was forbidded from being entangled in religion.

So how, again, does our freedom come from religion?

Answer 1

In spite of religion.

The catholics have only been non-agressive for a couple hundred years (eg: inquisition, Jesuit Missionaries, etc.) and we see first hand how some muslims feel about freedom.

If religion had its choice, people would be forced to convert.

Answer 2

there are far greater reasons people were fed up with systems prior to American democracy than just religion.
Persecution of anything that was not favorable to the established monarchs of the time was the greatest reason.

Religious myths are based on the values cherished by all human beings, not the other way around. Religion just arose as a system of teaching those values. So to say we have freedom because of religion, is a huge stretch, since the basic ideas behind our laws that protect our freedoms, were around before Christ even existed.

If a person wants to focus only on the idea that people came here to escape religious persecution, yes I guess you could say we have freedom because of religion, but it really isn't accurate, since they were also trying to escape a system that was trying to force a particular religion on them, along with persecution for expression of opinions that insulted the monarchs of the time.

If this idea is based on the pilgrims that arrived on the Mayflower, it is a sad base for this argument, considering their society wasn't all that free. A little research beyond public school history books would reveal this little realized fact.

Answer 3

Those in a theocracy rarely have much freedom. I rather doubt religion played a key part in our freedom other than to keep it separate from the affairs of state. The reason many of our early ancestors came to America in the first place was to avoid persecution in Europe because of their religious beliefs. New religions formed in America such as the LDS church were later persecuted as well. But because we are a land that values freedom of religion they are allowed to believe what they want.

In the fact that those ancestors experienced the persecution we do have that freedom. So Mitt is correct if that is what he is referring to. Otherwise no.

Answer 4

It's a long way to get there, but first you have to realize that all laws are based on religious teachings, namely the ten commandments. Don't steal, don't kill, love your neighbors, etc. These laws based on religion give us the freedom to live, to make money, to give money, etc.

Also, the Christian beliefs of our founding fathers helped them forge a Constitution that would keep us free from government oppression. They thought it unfair for the government to control the people, or steal from the people (taxation without representation, etc.), so they created a democracy where the people are free.

I know it's a stretch, but there is a pretty obvious connection between religion and government across the world. Look at China...

Answer 5

Well, in a very broad sense the Abrahamic religions do teach about sin being a choice so perhaps. They also teach that no one is about anyone in the eyes of God. I listened to Romneys speach and thought it was brilliant albeit somewhat somehow slanted. However, I vote that Americans have freedom FROM religion is they so choose.

Answer 6

The real question is, should a candidate be singled out and denied religious freedom because of his party? JFK took a "cult" religion to the white house. He was a Democrat. Harry Reid is president of the senate. He's a Democrat Mormon. Mitt Romney can't be a candidate because he's a Mormon? NOT! It's because he's a Republican Mormon. Party politics at work, full speed.
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KrazyKyngeKorny(Krazy, not stupid)
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Answer 7

Because of religion
The founding fathers had a better handle on the Bible than most today.

That is why the first mention in the Bill of Rights is Freedom of Religion.

At the time they knew the danagers of the state telling people how to worship.

They also understood the idea of respect for one another.

That is Biblical.

You should read it sometime without your hate filled glasses on.

Answer 8

We do, Religion is one of our freedoms, we also have freedom because we allow free speech, and we have freedoms because of a free press, and we also have freedoms because we have the right to assemble and to keep and bear arms. The practice of these freedoms, continue the establishment of our freedoms.

Answer 9

Because of Religion!!!!!!!!! our founding fathers were believers of faith and their faith brought them through the tough times and with faith you have kindness and love for everyone and put the people before anything else. Unfortunately so many have gone the hate direction and do not follow their teachings of love,forgiveness and kindness. People have become rude in many ways.
Teachings- The Ten Commandments

Answer 10

well, this country was founded on people who left England because of religious persecution. They came here to be able to worship as they chose. Christianity is the religion that all of our forefathers had their faith in, now God is thrown out of everywhere, and our freedoms are tampered with all the time.