Freedom From Religion

The Freedom from Religion Foundation seems to keep rearing its ugly head with the challenge that anyone who practices religion should do it beyond their sight as not to offend them. They proclaim that the constitution was written as a secular non-religious document. As I read the constitution I cannot understand how they come to these conclusions. Especially since General Washington, our first president, dedicated this country in a church in New York City at the foot of where the Twin Towers once stood. Money was minted with "In God We Trust" stamped within it. I can only explain their view as wishful thinking on their part. Biblical principals are prominent within the constitution and in our early government. Our founding fathers came here to escape religious persecution and founded this country with a constitution that protected the rights of the believer to practice their God given unalienable rights and limited government so that it could not interfere within the church environment. It was never meant to be used against the culture as it is currently being interpreted.

Is it possible to have freedom from religion without banning religion entirely?

I think not. Everyone has the freedom not to practice any form of religion in this country, but they do NOT have the right to prevent anyone else from practicing their religion whether it offends them or not. That is what religious freedom is all about; the ability to practice the religion of your choice and live your life according to your beliefs so long as by doing so it does not violate the law. The freedom of religion is guaranteed by our United States Constitution. It does not say you have the freedom to not be offended by someone’s actions. With the freedom to practice what we believe there is sure to be someone who will be offended. That's part of being free, freedom of speech offends some people, but it doesn't mean we have the right to limit freedom of expression. If you choose to refrain from religious practice of any kind, that is also respected. 

However, you have to understand that when it comes to infringing on another's freedom you have over stepped your boundaries as per the constitution. I really don't understand why there is repeated attempts to limit religious practice in this great country of ours. It is a situation where by giving in an inch of tolerance everyone tries to take a mile. We all live here and will have to agree to disagree, that is the short of it. We are a country of many national heritages and thus are sure to have differences of opinion.

I understand that the cross is offensive to non-believers; nevertheless, I am also offended that a symbol of my religious heritage is not respected. Everyone has the right not to practice any religion or live by it, as much as everyone has the right to practice it in the open proudly, which includes displaying their religious symbols and expressing God's message to the world. For a country that declared they were one nation under God, we have strayed away from our founding principles in a big way.

In Kountze, Texas, Cheerleaders are fighting for the right of religious expression in their public school. We should back their efforts to fight for that right. I will personally not support a public school in anyway if they do not allow God in their hallways. We have other choices, we don't have to send our children to public schools. The school would not survive without children to attend it. We are the ones who support or decide where our children go to school. Christians must stand and fight for their freedoms even if it makes our world a little less convenient. Our rights have been whittled away already at an alarming rate. You can make a difference.

Like all things, the best way to show your disapproval is to pull monetary support from these institutions that do not support our beliefs. Money talks and can accomplish things little else can. Support Christian businesses, schools and other enterprises that stand for our beliefs. Neither a business nor a school will stand unless it is supported by the community in which it lives. If you truly want to make a difference, I call on you to put your money where your beliefs are. Cultivate an atmosphere that is friendly towards Christianity, do not encourage hostility to our Christian beliefs.

I was tremendously pleased that so many Christians supported Chick-Fil-La restaurant owners through the attempted assault on their religious beliefs. The temperature in this county is hot and hostile toward Christians and growing more volatile. There is definitely an agenda to eliminate our religious freedom. It is imperative that we preserve the right to practice our religion of choice and live by our beliefs. Jesus was known as a gentle soul and cured many people. He also stood up to the Sanhedrin and threw out the money changers at the temple. As Christians we are called to stand for God’s word and our beliefs. It is time for us to stand united as believers for our faith.

As always, I am open to other points of view and discussions. Please leave your comments below.