In the United States of America, we believe that we have
this freedom, and it gives us the choice to belong to any religious
organization in the country. We can even make up our own religions, if
we want to. I have the right, in this country to start a new religious
movement, without any persecution from the government. The government
might choose not to persecute me but I would imagine, that other
religious organizations will.
First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Freedom of Religion,
of Speech, of the Press, to Petition, and to Assemble.
This must have been very important to our founding fathers. A lot of
people left England to come to America, before the United States
Constitution was ever thought of. Before there was even a United States
of America. People have been coming to the English colonies for over 150
years before the First Amendment was even signed. Often escaping
religious persecution.
Religious freedom was very important to America's ancestors and founding
fathers. We can only study history to find out how important religious
freedom actually was. In the United States today, we really don't give
it much thought. What religious freedom really means and the hardships
and battles throughout history. They sacrificed, so that we could reap
the benefits today.
Freedom of religion isn't the same today as it was 300 years ago. The
country's leaders often dictated what religion you could belong to. This
was the end of your religious freedom but today things are different.
Organized religions have become extremely influential and powerful in
today's world, often influencing governments and world leaders. When
will these large religious organizations become powerful enough to take
away our religious freedom. Do you honestly think things are getting
better, or are we soon going to have one or even a few religions
throughout the world.
How many Christians do you know that do most of their business with
other Christians? How many Jewish people choose to do the same thing? I
don't consider this religious freedom. In the State of Utah, it's well
known, that if you're not part of the Mormon Church or The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you're probably not going to prosper,
unless you convert to their religion. This might sound like, something
you would expect back in the stone ages, but it still goes on today.
Religious freedom is a lot more than just being able to choose your own
religion. It's becoming a choice economically, politically and of course
socially. At what point do you financially make a decision to become
part of a large religious organization, out of necessity. The simple
need to feed your family. I believe religion is going to become a bigger
problem in the future than it ever was in the past as we see more
financial and political power forming in these religious organizations.
I'm not trying to scare anyone, I'm simply suggesting that we start
associating with people from other religions or spiritual beliefs. We
could learn a lot if we just open our ears and close our mouth. Become
part of the solution and not the problem. |