Knowing the perils of disease, shipwreck and discomfort, the Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower in search of one thing: religious liberty. While many died on the voyage, and half of those who made it here died in the first winter, they knew that their lives were but “stepping stones” for the next generation’s freedom to practice Christianity. Their journey had taken them from an underground church in Scrooby, England, to an escape in Holland. However, as Holland’s secular society began corroding the hearts and minds of their children, they realized that a voyage to the New World was worth the risk. The Plymouth landing in 1620 stands as one of the earliest pieces of our country’s quest for religious liberty.
Today, almost 400 years later, the United States has become an increasingly difficult place for a Christian to work, be educated, and to serve his or her country. This has happened despite the statement found in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
In fact, First Liberty Institute’s 2017 report notes that in the past five years, documented attacks on religious freedom have increased 133%. In the past year, attacks have increased 15%. These attacks take place across broad sectors of the public arena — education, religious institutions and the U.S. military..
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I will not challenge the writers point, although I am skeptical, I have two questions for Christians. Will you afford the same the same liberties to the Muslim faith that you insist upon? The trend of this nation seems to be away from organized religion, and I acknowledge this comes with changes to our nation. Doe's religious freedom include my right to not believe?
ReplyDeleteAtheism has become an organized religion of sorts. It doesn't just "coexist" any longer. It makes demands of those who believe in God as Creator.
ReplyDeleteAs a Christian, I say the Muslims have the same rights to practice their religion in this country. But they do not have the right to terrorist attacks or murder. Your right to freedom of religion is only good as long as it doesn't break the law or harm someone else. People of all religions that commit murder or rape are still arrested and pay for their crimes.
ReplyDeleteTo answer 8:55, you have every right to believe or not believe anything at all. Muslims, however, believe that all who don't believe in Allah must be killed, so your questions are sort of backwards, isn't it? Acting out on killing non-believers is called murder in this country, but not in Muslim countries, so Muslims must make a choice on where to live.
ReplyDeleteno, they must make a choice as to following our laws, or following their faith. Christians must at times, do the same. As it now stands, the overwhelming majority have chosen to follow our laws. As it now stands, in this country people can believe what they choose, even in the death of others, as long as they do not act upon those beliefs.
ReplyDelete